Ted Phelps founded Imperative Reaction with David Andrecht in 1996. After g… Read Full Bio ↴Ted Phelps founded Imperative Reaction with David Andrecht in 1996. After gaining momentum in the Los Angeles Industrial scene, in 1999, the band released their first album entitled, Eulogy For The Sick Child. The debut was met with critical praise and a growing fan base. Songs like “Scorpio” and “The Longing” quickly found their way onto DJ playlists world-wide.

2002 saw the departure of Andrecht and the release of the sophomore album Ruined. The aggressive album led Phelps to recruit Sam P. and Jason DM of Los Angeles based Pulse Legion to complete the live line-up. Shortly thereafter, the growing band completed its first North American tour.

In 2004 Imperative Reaction unleashed Redemption. This album combined the rock feel of Ruined with a more club friendly sound which helped propel the first single “Giving In To The Change” to become a dance floor staple. Jason DM was replaced on keys by Clint Carney (System Syn, God Module) and the band set out on its second North American tour. The Redemption tour led to an invitation to join VNV Nation as direct support for their 2005 Formation Tour. Over the course of 36 shows Imperative Reaction transformed itself into a celebrated live act in front of over 25,000 fans.

As We Fall , released in 2006, was met with universal acclaim. Imperative Reaction joined EBM legends Covenant on their successful Skyshaper US tour. Shortly thereafter, IR was asked to join VNV Nation on their European Judgment Tour. Upon returning to the US, the band was picked to open for Combichrist on their 2007 North American tour. Further solidifying themselves as one of the premier electronic live acts, IR returned home to Los Angeles just in time to head out with psychobilly giants, Tiger Army on their US Razor’s Kiss Tour. The desire to expand and strengthen the live show led Phelps to hire Trevor Friedrich (Combichrist, Eighteen Visions, Suffer Well) to drum for the band.

In 2008, Imperative Reaction released Minus All and embarked on its most ambitious headlining tour to date. Shortly after the completion of the tour the band added guitarist/keyboardist Adam Vex (Seraphim Shock) and the live chemistry was solidified once and for all.

In 2009, the band took time off from writing to hit the road with fellow Metropolis Records artist, Psyclon Nine. The co-headlining tour, named "The Ruina Tour", saw the bands playing to capacity crowds across the US.

2010 was spent holed up in the studio creating the band’s most ambitious album to date. Imperative Reaction is an electronic rock masterpiece that showcases a band in its prime; ready to blow any preconceived notions out of the water. There is no escape.

Giving Up
Imperative Reaction Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I tried to find
Find what was left
Hiding on the inside
I tried to see it
I tried to feel
But it's still just a lie
To cover up
Who I am

How I fail
What I can never show
It's not enough
It doesn't work anymore
So now I'm giving up
Throw away
What I made is a lie
This image I portray
Was created to hide
And you should know
I have nothing to show

For all the years I tried
I'm just a shell inside
I tried to hide
Hide what I was
From showing on the
outside
I tried to change it
I tried too hard
But it's still just a lie
To cover up
Who I am
How I fail
What I can never show
It's not enough

It doesn't work anymore
So now I'm giving up

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Imperative Reaction's song Giving Up delve deep into the theme of identity, particularly the struggle of trying to present an image of oneself to the external world that is not consistent with the inner self. The singer in the song talks about trying to find what was left of their true self, which they feel is hiding inside them. They have attempted to see and feel their inner reality, but the truth remains elusive, and they feel like they are living a lie to cover up who they really are and how they fail.

The singer further talks about how they have tried too hard and for too long to change themselves, but that it is not enough and doesn't work anymore. This leads them to the ultimate realization that they must give up and throw away the image they have created to hide their true self. They acknowledge that it's a lie and that they have nothing to show for all the years they have spent trying to hide who they are. They feel like they have become a shell inside and that they can no longer sustain the facade they have created.

The song highlights the inauthenticity that people can feel when they attempt to present an image of themselves that is not consistent with their true identity. It speaks to the struggle of trying to maintain an image that is not real, ultimately leading to a sense of emptiness and a feeling of giving up.

Line by Line Meaning

I tried to find
I attempted to discover

Find what was left
Discover what remained

Hiding on the inside
Concealing on the innermost

I tried to see it
I tried to perceive it

I tried to feel
I tried to sense

But it's still just a lie
Yet it was only deceitful

To cover up
To hide

Who I am
My true identity

How I fail
My weaknesses

What I can never show
What I cannot reveal

It's not enough
It falls short