The original GCH began playing birthday parties, clubs, and festivals which eventually led to numerous larger venues throughout the northeast, including four years on Warped Tour (2003, 2004, 2006, 2008). During this time, GCH released four self-produced CDs: "Hed Candy" (1999), "Greasy Kids Stuff" (2000), "For the Kids" (2001) and "Papercut Chronicles EP" (2004).
"As cruel as School Children" was released on July 25, 2006. A second version of the album, released on November 4, 2006 additionally contains the single "Cupid's Chokehold"
After the release of "For the Kids", lead singer Travis McCoy won MTV's Direct Effect MC Battle and as a prize, he appeared in Styles P's video "Daddy Get That Cash".
The current configuration of GCH formed as guitarist Disashi Lumumba-Kasongo joined in late 2004, with bassist Eric Roberts joining in mid 2005.
After hearing the song "Taxi Driver", Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy invited the band to one of his shows. Gym Class Heroes then went on to join Pete Wentz's label, Decaydance Records, an imprint of Fueled by Ramen. Travis later said that Stump's support, coupled with the label's touring ethos and family atmosphere, led the band to signing with Decaydance/Fueled by Ramen.
Gym Class Heroes appeared on the Warped Tour in the summer of 2005 and 2006. The band completed their leg of a tour with The All-American Rejects on Nov. 29 in Las Vegas.
Their recent hit "Clothes Off" reached the No# 3 spot in the uk top 40 charts.
Lead singer Travis McCoy is currently working on a side project called Tequila Mockingbird with Nick Scimeca and is due out sometime early next year.
In mid-September 2008, Gym Class Heroes put out their album, "The Quilt". It was recorded during their late 2007 tour with Fall Out Boy and Plain White T's, "Young Wild Things". Soon after toured with Lil' Wayne on his "I Am Music" tour (late 2008).
The next album will be titled The Papercut Chronicles 2. The Stereo Hearts Songfacts reports that the first single from the album, "Stereo Hearts," features Maroon 5 frontman and The Voice coach Adam Levine on the chorus. It was released for download on iTunes on June 14, 2011 and also sent to all radio stations around the world the same day.
Travis McCoy is currently on a humanitarian trip across the globe to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS and how to prevent it.
Thinking Out Loud
Gym Class Heroes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Monkey's ciphering with fly feather birds with
Unincarcerated visions, signified dandelions get
Crushed by overstressed orangutans, just to let
Mama nature know they ain't no joke
While bad ass boa constrictors squeeze out life
And as hot as day, night makes no opportunity to let the natives do their thing
I believe that hip hop is so universal that
And endangered species know exactly what it is truly,
It's just a little sad that negative inevitably follows the most righteous
Next we got flaw skin sex hitting switches, right next to Versace rocking bullfrog bitches flashy Nasty piranhas with platinum front teeth
But whatever the case may be, true hip hop will remain underground
Where ants and moles hold it down
With basement parties bumping Gym Class Heroes and brain games
All the same, I myself may never make it to the rainforest
But we share a common love
That's just me thinking out loud again, let me stop
In these lyrics from Gym Class Heroes's song Thinking Out Loud, the band implied that the power of hip hop is so universal that it has even invaded the rainforest. The lyrics describe jungle cats fighting through the bush while monkeys interact with birds, and visions of unincarcerated dandelions being crushed by overstressed orangutans to let Mama Nature know they mean business. The song continues with how bad ass boa constrictors squeeze life out of other creatures while hot days and nights provide no opportunity for the natives to do their thing. But amidst it all, true hip hop remains underground where it can be appreciated by ants and moles at basement parties.
The song's message centers around the themes of the universality of music, the power of art to transcend traditional boundaries, and the importance of maintaining a connection with nature. It implies that regardless of the environment, music has meaning and is enjoyed all around the world. The lyrics also suggest the symbiotic relationship between art and nature, with the latter being a source of inspiration for the former. Overall, the song is a thoughtful exploration of the connections between art, music, and the natural world.
Line by Line Meaning
Jungle cats battling through musty brush
Wild animals struggle through the dense jungle vegetation.
Monkey's ciphering with fly feather birds with
Monkeys interact with birds that have fluffy feathers.
Unincarcerated visions, signified dandelions get
Free thoughts and ideas, but the dandelions are crushed by the pressure of orangutans.
Crushed by overstressed orangutans, just to let
The orangutans overpower everything in their way, just to prove their strength.
Mama nature know they ain't no joke
The animals of the jungle are powerful and not to be taken lightly.
While bad ass boa constrictors squeeze out life
Boa constrictors exert their dominance by suffocating their prey.
And as hot as day, night makes no opportunity to let the natives do their thing
The jungle is always active and doesn't sleep, so the native species are always active too.
I believe that hip hop is so universal that
The hip hop genre has spread so widely that even the jungle inhabitants know about it.
It has already invaded the rainforest
Hip hop has reached even the most remote places in the world.
And endangered species know exactly what it is truly,
Even animals in danger of extinction can recognize and understand hip hop music.
It's just a little sad that negative inevitably follows the most righteous
Unfortunately, even good things like hip hop can bring negative things with them.
Next we got flaw skin sex hitting switches, right next to Versace rocking bullfrog bitches flashy Nasty piranhas with platinum front teeth
People from all walks of life enjoy hip hop, even the most unlikely of animals.
But whatever the case may be, true hip hop will remain underground
Authentic hip hop music will continue to exist without needing mainstream popularity.
Where ants and moles hold it down
Even small and seemingly insignificant creatures can appreciate and enjoy hip hop music.
With basement parties bumping Gym Class Heroes and brain games
People, and even animals, can have fun and be entertained by listening to hip hop and playing games.
All the same, I myself may never make it to the rainforest
The artist may never get to physically experience the rainforest and its inhabitants.
But we share a common love
Despite physical distance, people and animals can have a shared appreciation for things like hip hop.
That's just me thinking out loud again, let me stop
The singer realizes they were just sharing their thoughts and decides to end their train of thought.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind