“Live music has so much potential for greatness,” expresses HRVRD vocalist Jesse Clasen. “To me, a studio recording is a snapshot of where a song is at that moment, and it should always continue to evolve and take on new perspectives. Live performances are opportunities to share something unique and beautiful with your audience…I’ve always admired the artists that let their songs blossom into something new and exciting even after they’ve been recorded.”
And while HRVRD’s performances let the band explore expanded artistic grounds, one simply cannot deny the power, quality and creativity found within the Charlotte, NC-based band’s recorded material that serves as their foundation. Founded in 2004 by guitarists Lee Herrera and Jason Shaw, the band progressively evolved into a quintet of brilliantly imaginative musicians, rounded out by drummer Tim Cossor, bassist Garrett Leister and the aforementioned hypnotic frontman, Jesse Clasen. Together the band, formerly known as Harvard, released their debut EP Animals in 2008 followed by the critically acclaimed full-length album The Inevitable and I less than a year later through Enjoy The Ride Records.
HRVRD also went on to release their self-produced album Interpretations in 2010, a five-track EP of reimagined versions of songs off of The Inevitable and I, followed by a year and a half of writing for their upcoming album. In January 2012, the band returned to Salad Days Studios in Baltimore, MD to reunite with renowned producer Brian McTernan (Circa Survive, Senses Fail), who had also produced The Inevitable and I. Clasen elaborates on their decision to work with McTernan again explaining, “We record our demos with the intention of listening to them more objectively in order to make them better; however, everyone gets attached to the way the demo sounds and so rarely do we ever make revisions…Working with Brian [McTernan] again makes everyone in the band more comfortable though and ready to make those revisions. It is an environment where everyone is ready to do what it takes to enhance the songs.” Shaw adds, “Brian is amazing to work with because he expects the best out of you and is going to reciprocate that ideal in his part of the recording process. He wants every song to have an identity, which is something I personally want in the music I play…it’s nice to work with someone who’s on the same page as you.”
On the new album, HRVRD’s haunting sound blends intricate and cinematic guitar riffs with dark, passionate lyrics and powerful, driving rhythms. Effortlessly encompassing the impressive technical qualities of underground progressive-rock and experimental outfits, while remaining accessible through honest, relatable lyrics, the fusion creates a full-bodied, dreamlike ambience filled with catchy, yet sonically sinister melodies. Clasen's ethereal voice defies genres and offers vast vocal range with a wide spectrum of stylistic tones that stand out as notable without overpowering the outfit’s more than capable instrumentations. Their true talent shines not only in their ability to perfectly juxtapose driving and atmospheric elements in a complimentary manner but also in their use of those musical elements to guide and balance the lyrical storytelling.
“The most important thing we kept in mind [on the new album] was a strict “less is more” rule,” Herrera notes. “In the end, I think the songs are more mature, more heartfelt and more honest, we used all of our experiences from the first record and tried to learn from them to make a better, shorter and more focused product.” Lyrically, the new album shares a journey of intense internal struggles of the ordinary man. “It’s about the tension between positive and negative perspectives on relationships, progression, religion, and science,” Clasen expounds. “And more personally, it’s me working out who and what I love, and why.” The band will release the sophomore, full-length album through Upstate NY-based independent label Equal Vision Records later this year, with the record’s release date and details yet to be revealed.
Members:
Jesse Clasen - Vocals
Lee Herrera - Guitar
Jason Shaw - Guitar
Garrett Leister - Bass
Tim Cossor - Drums
Kids With Fake Guns
HRVRD Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What you wanna see, what you wanna see
Hear
What you wanna hear, what you wanna hear
She's got some sort of virus
Some sort of virus in her head
Where'd she get it?
You wanna know what it takes to make this work
And it goes for us both
You wanna know what it takes to make this work out
Wait
But if you wait too long who's going to know?
You, your love was wrong
Wait
Hold your tounge, she's got some sort of virus
Some sort of virus
And it goes for us both
You wanna know what it takes to make this work
And it goes for us both
You wanna know what it takes to make this work out
You went out of town
You went out of town
When the kids lie about thier own valentine
Signifies a love has died
But now you're telling me you've broken my
Ageless love, ageless love
And it goes for us both
You wanna know what it takes to make this work
And it goes for us both
You wanna know what it takes to make this work out
Love has to work itself out
Love has to
endure and overcome obstacles to make it work. This song, "Kids With Fake Guns" by Hrvrd, speaks about the challenges that arise in relationships, which must be confronted and overcome to make the love last.
The lyrics begin with the idea of perception, encouraging listeners to see and hear what they want to see and hear. The singer is haunted by some kind of virus, which might be a metaphor for a mental or emotional illness that they struggle with. As the song progresses, we realize the singer is in a relationship that has broken down.
The chorus repeats the idea that both parties are asking what it will take to make it work but seem stuck in a perpetual cycle of questioning. In the second verse, there is a reference to lying kids regarding Valentine's Day, which signifies that the love might be dying. The singer confronts their lover who has broken their "ageless love," implying something that has lasted for a long time or something that they felt would last forever.
Line by Line Meaning
See
People often only see and hear what they want to, ignoring any negative aspects.
What you wanna see, what you wanna see
People often only see and hear what they want to, ignoring any negative aspects.
Hear
People often only see and hear what they want to, ignoring any negative aspects.
What you wanna hear, what you wanna hear
People often only see and hear what they want to, ignoring any negative aspects.
She's got some sort of virus
The woman in question may be suffering from some sort of mental illness, which is referred to as a virus.
Some sort of virus in her head
The woman in question may be suffering from some sort of mental illness, which is referred to as a virus.
Where'd she get it?
The cause of the woman's mental illness is unknown.
And it goes for us both
Both individuals in the relationship are trying to figure out how to make things work.
You wanna know what it takes to make this work
Both individuals in the relationship are trying to figure out how to make things work.
You wanna know what it takes to make this work out
Both individuals in the relationship are trying to figure out how to make things work.
Wait
The concept of waiting too long to address issues is brought up.
But if you wait too long who's going to know?
The concept of waiting too long to address issues is brought up.
You, your love was wrong
Someone may have made mistakes in their relationship.
Wait
The concept of waiting too long to address issues is brought up.
Hold your tongue, she's got some sort of virus
Someone may be keeping things to themselves, possibly due to the woman's mental illness.
Some sort of virus
The woman in question may be suffering from some sort of mental illness, which is referred to as a virus.
You went out of town
The two individuals may be physically separated.
When the kids lie about thier own valentine
Lying about one's feelings and hiding behind a facade are signs that love has failed.
Signifies a love has died
Lying about one's feelings and hiding behind a facade are signs that love has failed.
But now you're telling me you've broken my
Someone may have broken the other person's heart.
Ageless love, ageless love
Love is a timeless concept.
Love has to work itself out
Love takes effort to succeed.
Contributed by Wyatt Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Walker Flores
Still don't know how this band isn't everywhere, they're in my top 2 or 3 of all time...
David Hasselhoff
cus people nowadays only like the mainstream bullshit they feed us on the radio and television every damn day.
JimmyBreeze
Most underrated band
isn'tthatrad
What an incredible song
Desert Cactus
Love the trombone, so smooth.
Julien Paris
Within the first seconds, you know this is good.
eric bechel
Didn't know Dexter played drums...
Daniel Serrano
He's a pretty neat monster!
Soda_84
the previous drummer, he was amazing!! COME BACK!!
Numan Naveed
mutlitalented individuals! 4.07 when the trombone kicks in