To date, they have released four studio albums and four EPs.
History
Early Years and The Approach (2002-2004)
I:Scintilla was conceptualized in Champaign, IL in Jim Cookas' bedroom in October 2002. In January 2003, Chad Mines joined the group as bassist followed shortly by Jason Allen on guitar and programming in March. Upon formation, they immediately began writing their debut album, The Approach while still searching for a vocalist. Many singers were auditioned before finding Brittany Bindrim, who they found to be a perfect fit. The album was finished and self-released on July 29, 2004. The album contained early versions of many songs that would appear on later albums.
Alfa-Matrix and Havestar (2005-2006)
After a previously full year of nonstop live performances, I:Scintilla was discovered and signed by Belgian electro label Alfa-Matrix. In March 2005, Jason Allen left the band and Chad Mines moved to guitar. Bethany Whisenhunt was brought on to play bass.The band continued to work on the release of its first EP, Havestar, while providing material for a future full-length album.
The Havestar EP was released by Alfa-Matrix in the summer of 2006. In addition to a few re-mastered songs from The Approach, remixes by Combichrist, Diskonnekted, Neikka RPM, Implant, and Klutae are included.
The Havestar EP also highlights the first collaboration with producer and artist Wade Alin, who is known for music works Christ Analogue, The Atomica Project, and Scanalyzer. This collaborative process adds a consistent working sound quality that carries forward to I:Scintilla's following full-length album Optics.
After its release, Havestar peaked at #13 on the Deutsche Alternative Charts Top 20 Singles list.
Optics and The Immortal Tour (2007-2008)
I:Scintilla released their second full-length album Optics in June 2007. The album consisted of many older, reworked songs as well as multiple new releases. Optics was released in single-CD format as well as a two-disc edition, containing a second disc entirely of remixes by bands such as Combichrist, Clan of Xymox, and Ego Likeness.
While this album was being made, Mines and Whisenhunt departed the band. Instead of replacing the members, Jim Cookas began programming the bass parts and played all of the guitar parts.
Optics peaked at #6 on the Deutsche Alternative Charts Top 10 Albums list, and was featured in multiple alternative magazines. Preceding the album release, I:Scintilla performed at Wave-Gotik-Treffen in May 2007.
I:Scintilla joined with the then-Tallahassee-based darkwave band The Crüxshadows and Canadian electro act Ayria for the U.S. stretch of The Crüxshadows' Immortal Tour in 2008. At this point, the band incorporated two new members, Justin Pogue (keytarist) and Vincent Grech (drums). Up until then, the drums had all been done through a drum machine.
Dying & Falling (2009-2011)
In 2009, keytarist Justin Pogue left the band and moved to Florida, where he was a DJ under the name DJ Halon at the now-closed Club Rayn's popular Industrial music and Alternative Rock night, Blue Monday. In the band he was replaced by Brent Leitner (guitar/programming).
On December 4, 2009, I:Scintilla released an EP titled Prey On You. The EP contained three new songs and five remixes of these songs. Two songs, Prey On You and Ammunition, were later released on I:Scintilla's third full-length album Dying & Falling (formerly called Redshift), which was released on November 26, 2010. Like Optics, this album was released with a single disc version and a limited edition containing a second disc. This second disc contained the third song from the Prey On You, another previously unreleased track, and nine remixes.
Over the next year I:Scintilla toured lightly, with most of their shows being in their hometown of Chicago. Around December 2012, Brandon Chase was brought in to fill the long empty bass position, making the band a quintet. However, he left I:Scintilla the following August to focus on his own bands.
The Marrow EPs (2012-Current)
In 2012, I:Scintilla announced they would be releasing a series of EPs entitled "Marrow". The first of these EPs, Marrow 1, was released on October 15, 2012. This album was a dramatic change in musical styles. Abandoning their signature metal-electronica style, this album had a more acoustic sound to it. With five tracks, Marrow 1 contained one new song, Drag Along, two reworked versions from songs previously on Dying & Falling, as well as two covers.
Shortly after the December 12, 2012 release of Marrow 1, a new single was digitally released containing a new song, Skin Tight, and two remixes of Skin Tight. A month later, I:Scintilla announced a remix contest for Skin Tight as well as a new album, Marrow 2. The winning remix artist would have their song featured on the upcoming album. The band received 64 submissions and allowed their fan base to vote on which song should be included on the album. The votes were cast in a unique fashion counting cash donations as votes. All proceeds from the votes were donated to the Amnesty International charity.
Marrow 2 was released on May 2, 2013 and marked a return to their signature style. The album contains four new studio recordings as well as four remixes.
In January 2013, Brittany Bindrim launched her own company, Black Dove Design Company. The company focuses on graphic design, programming, and fine arts. The Marrow series album covers are all illustrated by Brittany and are part of her illustration portfolio for Black Dove.
On September 21, 2018, i:Scintilla released Swayed, their first full-length studio album in nine years.
Drag Along
I:Scintilla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're pleased to inform you that your applications been accepted
Starting from the time you get this letter
Your life will be one never-ending
"hope you're feeling better"
You get your choice of an aesthetic
We'll need to chop your clock off (tick tock tick tock tick tock tick tock)
It might not be what you expected
Today's a very special day
The boys'll murder for it but what will the neighbors say
It leaves you feeling pretty hollow
It might be nice to look at
Don't forget you're stuck with it tomorrow (and tomorrow, and tomorrow...)
You're big enough to stop pretending
You'll start to really show within a week or so
So don't go saying it's just come to your attention
You'll get more than you're asking for without the right protection
Today's a very special day
And how you'd love to have a little thing with which to play
But love wont get you very far
Today be still your beating heart
You'll have to keep on feeding it tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow
Boys will be boys will be boys will be boys will be boys will be boys will be girls with no warning
Girls will be girls will be guys will be boys that don't cry over toys that they use to beat girls they
Despise by the morning
They always said that sex would change you...
No second thoughts the knife is nearing
You'll never hear the little pitter patter pitter patter
Of this little feat of engineering
Of course I love you and of course it's what's inside that matters
But I think the whole charade is ending
It seems to me to be the only way to keep from getting
Caught up in a long life of regretting
The doctors said that once you get a taste for it you'll keep on cutting
But while you happen to be here
Why don't you whisper all those sweet forevers in my ear
Stiff upper lip for all this sorrow
Hurry up and stick it in
You never know when it will end
Tomorrow or tomorrow or tomorrow...
The song "Drag Along" by I:Scintilla is a commentary on the societal pressures towards conformity and the lengths some people go to fit in. The opening lyrics, addressed to a "Mr. and/or Mrs. sender," mock the routine and impersonal acceptance letters one might receive after applying for something. The song's narrator describes a process that is both invasive and permanent: the removal of their clock and the offering of a new aesthetic. The chorus warns against the desire to fit in and "have a little thing with which to play," asserting that the choices one makes today will impact their future.
The gendered language in the song can be interpreted to comment on the ways our society assigns roles and expectations based on gender. The line "boys will be boys will be boys will be girls with no warning" suggests that societal expectations often shift based on one's appearance or choices, and can be a condemning force. The repeated reference to "tomorrow" emphasizes the long-lasting impact of one's choices.
Overall, "Drag Along" is a commentary on the struggle to conform to societal pressures, and the struggle to navigate one's own identity amidst both internal and external expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear Mr. and/or Mrs. sender
This is a formal letter to inform you that your application has been accepted.
We're pleased to inform you that your applications been accepted
We are happy to inform you that your application has been accepted.
Starting from the time you get this letter
Your life will change from the moment you receive this letter.
Your life will be one never-ending
"hope you're feeling better"
Your life will be a never-ending cycle of trying to feel better.
You get your choice of an aesthetic
You get to choose your desired appearance.
We'll need to chop your clock off (tick tock tick tock tick tock tick tock)
We will need to remove your natural bodily functions, such as aging.
It might not be what you expected
Your results may not be what you initially expected.
There is no money back once you've been ripped off
Once you have undergone the procedure, you cannot undo it or receive a refund.
Today's a very special day
This is a significant day for you.
The boys'll murder for it but what will the neighbors say
The boys would risk anything for the procedure, but are worried about how it will appear to others.
It leaves you feeling pretty hollow
Even though you have achieved your desired appearance, you still feel empty inside.
It might be nice to look at
Your new appearance may be visually appealing.
Don't forget you're stuck with it tomorrow (and tomorrow, and tomorrow...)
Remember that you will have to live with this decision for the rest of your life.
You're big enough to stop pretending
You are mature enough to stop pretending to be someone you are not.
You'll start to really show within a week or so
You will start to see the physical effects of the procedure within a week or so.
So don't go saying it's just come to your attention
Don't blame anyone else for your decision to undergo the procedure.
You'll get more than you're asking for without the right protection
Without proper protection, you may experience unwanted side effects or consequences.
And how you'd love to have a little thing with which to play
You may wish to have a new body part for pleasure or fun.
But love wont get you very far
Love alone cannot solve all of your problems.
Boys will be boys will be boys will be boys will be boys will be boys will be girls with no warning
People may change their gender, identity, or behavior without any prior notice or warning.
Girls will be girls will be guys will be boys that don't cry over toys that they use to beat girls they
Despise by the morning
People may act differently based on their gender or identity, sometimes with negative consequences for others.
They always said that sex would change you...
People have claimed that sex or sexual experiences can have a transformative effect on individuals.
No second thoughts the knife is nearing
Do not rethink your decision as the procedure is approaching.
You'll never hear the little pitter patter pitter patter
Of this little feat of engineering
You will no longer hear your heart beating due to the procedure.
Of course I love you and of course it's what's inside that matters
Your loved ones care about you and your personality, regardless of your appearance.
But I think the whole charade is ending
I believe this whole façade or pretense is coming to an end.
It seems to me to be the only way to keep from getting
Caught up in a long life of regretting
The procedure may seem like the only way to avoid a lifetime of regret or dissatisfaction.
The doctors said that once you get a taste for it you'll keep on cutting
Doctors may warn that undergoing one procedure may lead to a desire for more, leading to a dangerous cycle.
But while you happen to be here
While you are here or alive, for a limited time.
Why don't you whisper all those sweet forevers in my ear
Why not express your love and commitment to me while you are still alive.
Stiff upper lip for all this sorrow
Maintain a brave or calm appearance despite any sadness or pain.
Hurry up and stick it in
Hurry up and have sex or engage in a sexual act.
You never know when it will end
Tomorrow or tomorrow or tomorrow...
Life is unpredictable and could end at any moment, so cherish each and every day.
Contributed by Nicholas W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.