After the Aesthetic EP, Reardon was asked to leave the band for various reasons and Antillon was replaced by Jon Weisberg after he was arrested for shoplifting and unable to tour. The rest of the band members originally decided to have Good as the lead singer, but he opted to concentrate on guitar, not wanting to give it up in order to take on lead vocals. Good had wanted From First to Last to have a frontman, in order to connect with the crowd better. Using the social networking site MySpace, Good came in contact with a guitarist from California by the name of Sonny Moore, now better known as the person behind Skrillex. Moore flew out to Georgia, where the bands second album Dear Diary, My Teen Angst Has a Bodycount was being recorded, and was set to be the band's second guitarist. However, when the other band members heard Moore singing backups, they decided that he was much better suited for lead singer than guitarist.
Good and Richter wrote the album in two weeks and Moore, coming in after the music was tracked, completed the vocals with the bands help. Dear Diary, My Teen Angst Has a Body Count was released on June 29, 2004.
In 2005, from late May to mid June From First to Last participated in the "Dead by Dawn" tour with bands Emanuel, Halifax and He is Legend.
From mid March to mid May 2006 the band toured along side Fall Out Boy and The All-American Rejects for the "Black Clouds and Underdogs Tour" in support of their release Heroine.
Prior, the band went to Radio Star Studios in Weed, California to record their second album, produced by Ross Robinson. As their previous bassist Weisberg had been formally asked to step out due to issues within the band's relationship, producer Ross Robinson asked Wes Borland, (currently of Black light burns,former Limp Bizkit guitarist, to play bass on their second full length Heroine. He later played several tours with the band. The album was released on March 21, 2006 and opened on the Billboard albums chart at #25, with first-week sales of 33,000-plus. Shortly thereafter in April, they signed to major label Capitol Records after bidding between Capitol Records and Warner Bros.
Meanwhile, singer Sonny Moore began to have problems with his vocal chords. From First to Last went on the "World Championship Tour" supporting Atreyu along with Every Time I Die and Chiodos. That is when new bassist Matthew Manning joined the From First to Last line up. While on that tour, Moore had vocal cord problems and had to leave the tour. The band had planned to have guitarists Good and Richter cover Moore's vocal duties for the duration of the tour until singer of Chiodos, Craig Owens, insisted that he provide lead vocals for their sets. Atreyu eventually dropped From First to Last from the tour. The band later explained, "Our plan to enable us to play the rest of the tour was disregarded and as our crew was setting up for the show in Worcester, MA we were informed that we were being kicked off of the tour. Understand that it was not our choice to leave this tour...we were forced to leave." Atreyu then returned a statement about the controversy concerning From First to Last's departure, saying, "They couldn't perform as FFTL and are no longer on this tour."
In February 2007, Moore left From First to Last to pursue his solo career. His decision to leave was based on his urge to create his own music, and also on the fact that singing in FFTL was putting an immense strain on his vocal chords. Sonny has posted new recordings on his MySpace and has recently signed onto a label, modernorganic.
After vocalist Moore's departure, FFTL faced a crisis. Their label, Capitol Records, had dropped them due to financial problems. Without a vocalist, label, permanent bassist, or any money, the band almost split. Guitarist/Vocalist Matt Good, however, decided to take on lead vocals while still providing a backup guitar role. The band also quickly picked up Matt Manning to become full-time bassist .The band then spent their remaining money on a studio in which to continue work on their already-written third album.
After completing a full mix of their new material, FFTL was picked up by Suretone Records. Shortly after they re-entered the studio to record their album again, this time with a professional crew and better quality. This was part of the reason that there was so much delay in the release. The album was supposed to be out April 19, "Just in tiume for the High-lidays" as put by the band's merch guy, Ricky Terror. Then it was postponed up till May 6th.
The band recorded for the second time in Los Angeles, with producer Josh Abraham and seasoned engineer Ryan Williams. They have since completed the album, and at midnight on November 14, 2007, they released a new song, Two as One, on their MySpace account.
FFTL began their fall headlining tour, RATHER BE SLAYIN' N00BZ, starting November 1st 2007. This tour was with fellow post hardcore bands Pierce the veil, blessthefall, Four Year Strong, and Vanna.
After RATHER BE SLAYIN' N00BZ, the band joined every time i die, the bled, august burns red, and the human abstract on Hot Topic's Take Action Tour.
On January 23rd 2008, one of the songs from the new album, We All Turn Back to Dust, was released exclusively through Billboard.com. On February 12th, From First to Last released an exclusive 2 song CD through Hot Topic. The CD features the songs "We All Turn Back to Dust" and "I Once Was Lost But Now Am Profound" from the band's Self Titled album. On March 7th, it was confirmed that "Worlds Away" would be the album's first single. It hit radio on March 17th. The Video Debuted on AOL.
The new album received mixed reviews. With Sonny no longer in the band many people felt that From First to Last had lost their unique sound. Alternative Press magazine had reviewed their self titled album poorly, giving it a meager 2 stars, accompanied with a biased review. This had upset many other fans feel that they are better without him, or just the same.
A special edition of From First to Last's self titled is available through Hot Topic and it includes the extra track "Everything's Perfect." A more up tempo song reminiscent of their Dear Diary Days. The Japan editions include and extra track, "World's Away Acoustic." The European versions include "Tick Tick Tomorrow Acoustic" and "Medicinal Reality Acoustic." Aside from all these extra tracks, they covered "Chelsea Hotel" by leonard cohen and had it available to listen on myspace.
From First to Last plans to spend most of 2008 on the road, including a headlining slot on the Warped Tour. They have been documenting their tour life on FFTLTV, a series of videos with a new episode every week, released on Tuesdays via their youtube.
The band has a contract with EA games and will have certain songs featured on games like Facebreaker, which features Worlds Away, and Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3, for which they covered the "Hell March" theme by Frank Klepacki.
Derek Bloom and Travis Richter have a side project called the color of violence.
The band has recently reformed and announced a new EP to soon be recorded and released in 2014.
The One Armed Boxer Vs. The Flying Guillotine
From First to Last Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hello ladies and gentlemen,
I'm glad you've graced me with your presence
You're in time to see me wrestling my conscience, staring into silence
You see I came to save the stage
And I hope I'm not too late, passion called
From back behind the curtain screaming, "Sonny this is urgent"
Fill these 50 persons with a purpose
Inspiration isn't cheap these days
You better make them earn it
(You better, make them earn it, make them earn it)
Hello ladies and gentlemen,
I'm glad you've graced me with your presence
You're in time to see me wrestling my conscience, staring into silence
You see I came to save the stage
And I hope I'm not too late, passion called
From back behind the curtain screaming, "Sonny this is urgent"
How do I address the letter to my generation?
"Sonny" she said "save yourself the postage"
How do I address a letter to my generation?
"Sonny" she said "sing it in person"
The opening line of "Kill the lights" sets the stage for From First to Last's song The One Armed Boxer Vs. The Flying Guillotine. It's an invitation to the audience to pay close attention to what's about to happen. The following lines indicate that the singer is aware that he is being watched and is aware of the weight of responsibility he has accepted. He's standing in front of the audience, ready to perform, but he's also grappling with his conscience. He wants to make an impact, to inspire the audience, but he knows that inspiration doesn't come cheap these days. He's wrestling with the question of how to share his message with the world.
As the song progresses, the singer reveals that he's particularly concerned with reaching his generation with his message. He's wondering how to address a letter to them, but someone suggests that he doesn't need to write a letter. He can sing his message in person. This final line suggests that the singer believes that his message is best communicated through his music and performance. He's not looking to preach or lecture his audience, but rather to lead by example.
Overall, The One Armed Boxer Vs. The Flying Guillotine is a song about the power of performance and the responsibility that comes with standing in front of an audience. The singer is aware that he has the ability to inspire and influence those who are watching him, and he takes that responsibility seriously. He's searching for the best way to communicate with his generation, but the ultimate message is that actions speak louder than words.
Line by Line Meaning
Kill the lights!
Start the show with intensity
Hello ladies and gentlemen,
Addressing the audience with respect
I'm glad you've graced me with your presence
Appreciating the audience for being there
You're in time to see me wrestling my conscience, staring into silence
Introspection before performing
You see I came to save the stage
Performing with a mission
And I hope I'm not too late, passion called
Determined to make a difference
From back behind the curtain screaming, "Sonny this is urgent"
Feeling a sense of urgency to perform
Fill these 50 persons with a purpose
Motivating the audience to participate
But don't just give it away
Reminding them to value their inspiration
Inspiration isn't cheap these days
Encouraging the audience to work hard for their inspiration
You better make them earn it
Challenging the audience to prove themselves
(You better, make them earn it, make them earn it)
Reinforcing the challenge to work hard for inspiration
How do I address the letter to my generation?
Rhetorical question on reaching the audience
"Sonny" she said "save yourself the postage"
Suggestion to reach out in a more personal way
How do I address a letter to my generation?
Repeating the rhetorical question for emphasis
"Sonny" she said "sing it in person"
Suggesting to perform live to connect with audience
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DEREK ALAN BLOOM, JAMES DARRELL HARGROVE, JON WEISBERG, TRAVIS BRANDON RICHTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TWC-fj4bk
..Kill the lights
Hello, ladies and gentlemen,
I'm glad you've graced me with your presence
You're in time to see me wrestle with my conscience
And staring in the si-si-si-silence
You see, I came to save the stage,
I hope I'm not too late
Passion called from back behind the curtain screaming,
"Sonny, this is urgent"
Fill these 50 persons with a purpose,
But don't just give it away
Inspiration isn't cheap these days,
You better make them earn it
You better make them earn it, make them earn it!
You better make them earn it, make them earn it!
Hello, ladies and gentlemen,
I'm glad you've graced me with your presence
You're in time to see me wrestle with my conscience
And staring in the si-si-si-silence
You see, I came to save the stage,
I hope I'm not too late
Passion called from back behind the curtain screaming,
"Sonny, this is urgent"
[x2]
How do I address a letter to my generation?
"Sonny", she said, "save yourself the postage"
How do I address a letter to my generation?
"Sonny", she said, "sing it in person"
@me-dd5rw
I'm 26 years old now and I still love this, even more than I was 16...
@Hevvvyyy
Same here. My brother was the only reason I heard this album.
@Kenji_Hirai
31, and still loving this album!
@bluntedgaming2.099
Hell yeah brother same here !!
@creepyd6563
Yo a boomer Emo! lol I'm so happy I went back to old shit like this. It fucking slaps
@joey_rogers
32 now smh
@TWC-fj4bk
..Kill the lights
Hello, ladies and gentlemen,
I'm glad you've graced me with your presence
You're in time to see me wrestle with my conscience
And staring in the si-si-si-silence
You see, I came to save the stage,
I hope I'm not too late
Passion called from back behind the curtain screaming,
"Sonny, this is urgent"
Fill these 50 persons with a purpose,
But don't just give it away
Inspiration isn't cheap these days,
You better make them earn it
You better make them earn it, make them earn it!
You better make them earn it, make them earn it!
Hello, ladies and gentlemen,
I'm glad you've graced me with your presence
You're in time to see me wrestle with my conscience
And staring in the si-si-si-silence
You see, I came to save the stage,
I hope I'm not too late
Passion called from back behind the curtain screaming,
"Sonny, this is urgent"
[x2]
How do I address a letter to my generation?
"Sonny", she said, "save yourself the postage"
How do I address a letter to my generation?
"Sonny", she said, "sing it in person"
@undedgamer6666
If you're here today... It wasn't a phase 🙄 gosh moms
@isaaczierenberg6657
Still here
@melaniedaniel8179
this song.... was iconic...
thank you for letting me live my emo phase in peace with an amazing album to go with it .....