The band played independently in Peterborough, Ontario for a few years before they signed with Tooth and Nail Records, largely on the recommendation of Trevor McNevan, the lead singer of fellow Tooth and Nail bands Thousand Foot Krutch and FM Static. McNevan, also from Peterborough, is credited with discovering the band. In July of 2004, Hawk Nelson released their major label debut Letters to the President. It was produced by Aaron Sprinkle and McNevan, who also co-wrote the album's fourteen songs. He has also appeared on some of the band's songs, as well as in their video for the song "California". In October 2005, the band re-released Letters to the President, with new material including their cover of The Who's My Generation, three acoustic versions of some of their hits, and a limited edition cover. Dave Clark was replaced by Jonathan Steingard on guitar in 2004.
The band released their second studio album, titled Smile, It's The End of the World, on April 4, 2006. The album's first single, "Everything You Ever Wanted", went on to hit #1 for 9 weeks on the R&R Christian CHR chart, and was the fourth most played song of 2006. Hawk Nelson released a 3-track Christmas EP titled Gloria on November 21, 2006.
In 2007, Aaron Tosti (who had joined the band to replace Matt Paige on drums) left the band to pursue other musical ventures and was replaced by Justin Benner. Justin had previously toured with Hawk Nelson before with The Send. Hawk Nelson's third full album, Hawk Nelson Is My Friend was released on April 1, 2008, and featured songs co-written by Trevor McNevan of Thousand Foot Krutch, Raine Maida of Our Lady Peace, and Richard Marx. The album was nominated for a 2009 Grammy Award in the category for Best Recording Package.
On July 21, 2009, Hawk Nelson released their second single from their fourth album Live Life Loud called "The Meaning Of Life", and on August 8, the song "Alive" began to be played on Christian Radio. They released the album in September of the same year.
Their fifth studio album, Crazy Love, which was released in stores February 8, 2011.
On February 1, 2012, lead vocalist Jason Dunn announced he would be leaving the band, in order to pursue his solo project, Lights Go Down. He is currently recording an album tentatively titled Abandon Progress. On March 11, 2012 in Fresno, California, frontman Jason Dunn performed his final US show with Hawk Nelson.
On December 11, 2012, Hawk Nelson announced they had signed with Fair Trade Services. Made was released on April 2, 2013. The album's release was preceded by the release of the album's debut single on January 15, 2013, "Words", featuring Bart Millard of MercyMe,while "Faithful" was released on September 12, 2013.
Tours
The band spent the summer of 2006 touring the major Christian music festivals. In the winter of 2006, they toured with TobyMac's Winter Wonder Slam tour along with The Afters, Family Force 5, and Ayiesha Woods. In 2007, Hawk Nelson performed at Winter Jam with a wide variety of other Christian bands, which were Newsong, Jeremy Camp, Steven Curtis Chapman, Sanctus Real, and Britt Nicole. Also, Hawk Nelson toured with MxPx, Run Kid Run, Project 86, The Fold, and The Classic Crime. In January 2008, the band headlined their own tour, that they called the Green T Tour, which also featured Capital Lights and Run Kid Run. In the summer of 2008, Hawk Nelson played their second annual Faith Nights Baseball Tour.
Mainstream Success
The band has achieved some success in the mainstream as well. They portrayed The Who on an episode of the NBC drama American Dreams, and they recorded a song named "Bring 'Em Out" for the 2005 motion picture Yours, Mine, and Ours featuring Drake Bell. This song and another hit song "The Show" were used on Sunday Night Football commercials. "Things We Go Through" from Letters to the President was also featured in Yours, Mine, and Ours. Bulletproof Records and Producer Ralph Sall have assembled the compilation Charlotte's Web (Music Inspired By The Motion Picture) in December 2006, which features "Everything You Ever Wanted" by Hawk Nelson, as well as music by Amy Grant and Billy Ray Cyrus. In 2008, the band also contributed a cover of "Don't You (Forget About Me)", originally by Simple Minds, off the JCPenney Presents: Don't You Forget About Me. The Covers (EP). The song was also featured in back-to-school commercials for J.C. Penney. The song "Live Life Loud" was featured in the trailer for the movie, "Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules," and was available in the Rock Band store during the first week of April 2010.
LAX
Hawk Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know they jade me and that's my point
I hate airports, I know they hate me
I know they jade me and that's my point
I hate airports, I know they hate me
I know they jade me and that's my point
I hate airports, I know they hate me
LAX to BNA
A layover in ORD
TSA, you're too extreme
Send me home to YYZ
The lyrics of the song “LAX” by Hawk Nelson explore the frustrations and anxieties of traveling through airports. The first line of the song, “I hate airports, I know they hate me” expresses the mutual dislike between the traveler and an airport in a humorous way. The repetition of this line throughout the song emphasizes the negativity of airports and the feelings of frustration and annoyance that can arise from traveling. The line “I know they jade me and that's my point” further emphasizes the negative feelings and attitudes toward airports.
The song continues with specific references to airports such as LAX, BNA, ORD, and YYZ. These airports represent the various stops on the singer's itinerary, and they serve to create the feeling of frustration that comes with navigating through different airports. The line “TSA, you're too extreme” highlights the heightened security measures in airports that can sometimes seem excessive and create stress for travelers.
Overall, the song “LAX” captures the negative feelings associated with airport travel and the frustrations that can arise from navigating through different airports. It is relatable to anyone who has traveled and experienced the anxieties and difficulties of going through security checks, dealing with layovers and delays, and experiencing the overall stress of being in an airport.
Line by Line Meaning
I hate airports, I know they hate me
The singer dislikes airports and feels that airports reciprocate those feelings.
I know they jade me and that's my point
The singer acknowledges that the airport has worn them out and this is the reason for their negative attitude.
LAX to BNA
This line is a reference to airports and their respective codes. It could also serve as an indication of the singer's travel itinerary.
A layover in ORD
The artist's flight requires a brief stop at Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
TSA, you're too extreme
The artist finds the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to be too strict and inconvenient.
Send me home to YYZ
The singer is requesting to be sent back home to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) where they feel more comfortable.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sportsygirl8
Lol I always laugh like crazy listening to this song! I've had this song stuck in my head since I watched the re-run of the first episode of Scorpion, they mentioned LAX a lot in that episode.
HappyLightning1
we hav officially confirmed hawk nelson is insane...as if I didn't think he was completey awesome already XD
Nerdy Bird
If I would have bought this album when it came out and heard this sooner, I would have asked Jason to sing this when I met him at the Rock and Worship Roadshow in February... And me and my friends would have sang along...
Rawk4Life
This song reminds me of old school MxPx. Epic!
WILLIAMSON FISHING
Only Hawk Nelson can make a full song that's under a minute..
Cassidy Byron
I love seeing how bands evolve and wow hawk nelson everybody
BewilderedToad
This song is hilarious
Merc at Arms
XD
wow...
I don't like metal, but this is pure gold.
Esther B
I laughed so hard listening to this.
Tamara Nijburg
This is freakin hilarious! hahaha