Their second full length "The Answer is Never" (2004), presented Howards Alias as more mature, taking in a huge range of influences. The album was recorded mostly live, to give an honest account of the 'Howards Alias' sound and to get the intimacy of the songs and band across.
Over the next 12 months the band toured hard but growing up with the grass roots ethics of bands like The Police and The Beatles, the band were also keen to record another record, so they came back to work with 'TAIN' engineer Peter Miles. In April 2005 the band went into the studio and emerged with their third album "Beat, Heart Beat" (2005), packed with new songs and a more progressive sound. The album was very well received by fans and press alike, the press often noting the bands very unique sound and "Howards Alias sound much more at home with British rock counterparts Biffy Clyro and Reuben than their American cousins"
The band like to put forward a message of non-violence and anti-elitism, and like to consider themselves musicians playing music together, rather than a band that has to keep playing a certain type of music in order to conform to the punk rock cliche.
The band split up in 2005, then later reformed in 2006.
They are now set to record a new album, which will no doubt take them in yet another change in musical direction, with new songs on their MySpace page having a more rock feel, than the ska-punk sound which the album "The Chameleon Script".
On April 15th 2008, Matthew Reynolds announced that Howards Alias were to permanently disband. This was the first official announcement from Howards Alias in 2008, although Reynolds had been promoting his solo album - The Wreck of The Hesperus - throughout February.
Drummer Robert King had left the band in January to continue his career, and - following the initial shock - the band had decided to try to recruit a new drummer. In March, however, Matthew Roberts went on tour playing saxophone for Foals and subsequently started tour managing other bands; feeling that he could no longer commit the time to Howards Alias, he also left the band. With almost half of the core members of the band gone, Matthew Reynolds, Nicholas Horne and David Ransom agreed that it would be "a next to impossible task to replace them".
Although disbanding, Howards Alias released [ep.i.phan.ic] in a limited run for any fans who expressed an interest in pre-ordering a copy.
The Drive
Howards Alias Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A need to know where this leads is weighing down on me I can't breath.
I'm sick of the same old conversations winding up with these old frustrations.
Lets take the time to to see. If we can believe all the fine points made; If we can acheive anything today; If we can stand up to the test of time; If we can get down to the bottom line-are we as one?
I thought about all the things you've said and done as times gone by.
I wanted to make you see how much you are few and far between and sleep by your side and not say goodbye.
The taste of a sweet life.
The sound of the sea.
The reason to stay here's not dying in me.
So can we move onwards and upwards not back down this beaten tarck?
Why did this argument happen anyway?!
If this small mismatch can destroy our dreams.
If this tiny hole swallows anything at all.
If he can be happy then why can't I?
It's not all that easy because I've tried.
Are we as one?
The lyrics of Howards Alias's song The Drive reflect a theme of struggling to keep a relationship alive. The opening line "A reason is all I need to try and stop letting myself leave and say goodnight" indicates that the singer needs something to hold onto or believe in to keep the relationship going. The subsequent line, "A need to know where this leads is weighing down on me I can't breathe," conveys the pressure the singer feels to know if the relationship is going anywhere. The song's theme is further developed with the line "I'm sick of the same old conversations winding up with these old frustrations." Here, the repetitive cycle of bickering, stress, and uncertainty about the future of the relationship is emphasized.
The singer's desire to break the cycle and see if the relationship can be saved is indicated by "Let's take the time to see. If we can believe all the fine points made; If we can achieve anything today; If we can stand up to the test of time; If we can get down to the bottom line-are we as one?" The singer wants to know if they have what it takes to overcome the challenges they face as a couple. The line "I thought about all the things you've said and done as times gone by" is a reminder of the good times in the relationship, and "I wanted to make you see how much you are few and far between and sleep by your side and not say goodbye" highlights how important the relationship is to the singer.
The final lines of the song, "If this small mismatch can destroy our dreams. If this tiny hole swallows anything at all. If he can be happy then why can't I? It's not all that easy because I've tried. Are we as one?" are a call for unity and for the couple to overcome their struggles together. The singer recognizes that the relationship is not easy, but they are willing to try if their partner is willing to work with them.
Line by Line Meaning
A reason is all I need to try and stop letting myself leave and say goodnight.
I need a justification to resist my desire to leave this conversation and say goodnight
A need to know where this leads is weighing down on me I can't breath.
I'm anxious to know where this conversation is headed and it's overwhelming me
I'm sick of the same old conversations winding up with these old frustrations.
I'm tired of having repeated conversations and ending up with the familiar feelings of frustration
Lets take the time to to see. If we can believe all the fine points made; If we can acheive anything today; If we can stand up to the test of time; If we can get down to the bottom line-are we as one?
Let's evaluate this situation together. Can we agree on the facts presented? Can we accomplish something today? Can our relationship withstand the test of time? Can we unite on our core values?
I thought about all the things you've said and done as times gone by.
I reflected on the words and actions that you've expressed in the past
I wanted to make you see how much you are few and far between and sleep by your side and not say goodbye.
I want you to know how special you are to me and that I want to spend the night by your side and not leave
The taste of a sweet life.
The experience of living in contentment and happiness
The sound of the sea.
The calming and soothing sound of the ocean
The reason to stay here's not dying in me.
The motivation to stay in this relationship is still present within me
So can we move onwards and upwards not back down this beaten tarck?
Can we progress forward instead of reverting back to old patterns?
Why did this argument happen anyway?!
What was the cause of this dispute?
If this small mismatch can destroy our dreams.
If this minor disagreement can undermine our aspirations and goals
If this tiny hole swallows anything at all.
If even the smallest issue can absorb everything around it
If he can be happy then why can't I?
If he is capable of being content, then why am I not?
It's not all that easy because I've tried.
I attempted to achieve the same level of happiness, but it's not as simple as it seems
Are we as one?
Are we unified in our relationship?
Contributed by James T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.