Initially the project consisted entirely of solo recordings by Oliva, but after several months of work he was joined in 2004 by former members of Circle II Circle to form a band. After hearing the results of their earliest studio sessions together he then decided to repeat the solo work from scratch with the band, releasing their first album 'Tage Mahal on the SPV label early that year. Originally slated to be released on the same label in May 2006, JOP subsequently signed to AFM Records for the release of the follow-up entitled Maniacal Renderings, which was released in September 4th 2006. Oliva credits his late brother Criss (with whom he had founded Savatage) as co-writing some of the work on this latest album (particularly the track "The Answer"), after finding some working tapes they had recorded together immediately before Criss' death in a road accident in 1993.
Jon Oliva's Pain hit the road fequently, visiting mostly Europe. 2006 saw some appearances at the larger European festivals. In april 2007, Jon Oliva was reunited with Chris Caffery onstage at the Pestpop festival in Belgium. This festival featured three Savatage related bands: Jon Oliva's Pain, Circle II Circle and Chris Caffery.
October 2007 saw Jon Oliva's Pain headlining ProgPower Europe, among the played songs was Chance, which was never performed with Jon on lead vocals before.
In 2008 JOP released Global Warning, which received excellent reviews from all over the globe. The album includes an ode to the bands past sound engineer Greg Marchak (O to G.) The band is currently preparing the fourth JOP album and will be hitting some of the annual summer festivals in Europe.
The music and themes bear comparison with the likes of Alice Cooper, focussing as they do on elements of obsession, pain, confusion and insanity. Oliva himself cites The Beatles, Queen and The Who amongst his and hence the band's influences.
JOP always play a bunch of classic Savatage songs onstage. Typical Savatage songs that are played are Sirens, Hall Of The Mountain King, Gutter Ballet and a lot of songs from the Streets album.
Lineup:
Jon Oliva (vocals, keyboards)
John Zahner (keyboards)
Matt LaPorte (guitars)
Kevin Rothney (bass)
Christopher Kinder (drums)
Tom McDyne (guitars)
Former Members:
Jerry Outlaw (guitars)
Shane French (guitars)
The Ride
Jon Oliva's Pain Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the things you can see
Many places you can go
Close your eyes now, start the show
Here no rules apply
Reach out touch the sky
Beware as darkness starts calling
Follow me, sample many a pleasure
That up above, you can't even mention
I see a soul; it's mine for the taking
Follow me...it's time for you to take a ride
Not a movie, not T.V.
Motivation, wondering
All your secrets, watch them unfold
Like your dreams, like your goals
Can't you see they're coming to get you
Lost, alone, no one to protect you
Whatever you do they'll always resent you
Time to decide, where to go
Start your journey, to the unknown
The Ride by Jon Oliva's Pain is a song that invites the listener to embark on a journey of self-discovery. The opening lines of the song set the tone for the surreal experience that is about to ensue. The scene is one that is almost too incredible to believe, offering endless possibilities and boundless opportunities. The listener is encouraged to close their eyes and let their imagination run wild as they start the show.
As the song progresses, the listener is warned that there are no rules in this world. They are free to explore and touch the sky, but they should also beware of the darkness that starts calling. The lyrics indicate that this journey is not a passive one - it requires active participation and a willingness to take risks. Despite the potential dangers, the singer offers encouragement, suggesting that there are many pleasures to be sampled and that it's time for the listener to take a ride.
The Ride is a song that speaks to the human need for adventure and exploration. It suggests that we should seize every opportunity to learn and grow, even if it means venturing into the unknown. The lyrics also hint at the inherent risks of such adventures, but they ultimately celebrate the rewards that come with taking chances.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a scene you won't believe
You'll witness things beyond imagination
All the things you can see
There are numerous things for you to witness
Many places you can go
There are lots of places for you to explore
Close your eyes now, start the show
Imagine and create your own unique experience
Here no rules apply
You're free to do what you want
Reach out touch the sky
Empower yourself to reach great heights
Beware as darkness starts calling
Be wary of negative influences
Follow me, sample many a pleasure
Join me and experience all sorts of delights
That up above, you can't even mention
Things that are beyond what you could even imagine
I see a soul; it's mine for the taking
I see someone who is vulnerable and I want to take advantage of them
Follow me...it's time for you to take a ride
Follow me and let's embark on this journey together
Not a movie, not T.V.
This is not a passive experience
Motivation, wondering
You're driven by curiosity
All your secrets, watch them unfold
You'll see your deepest, darkest secrets unravel before you
Like your dreams, like your goals
Like your aspirations, this journey is about personal growth
Can't you see they're coming to get you
Can't you tell that the dangers are approaching
Lost, alone, no one to protect you
You're stranded and vulnerable
Whatever you do they'll always resent you
No matter how hard you try, people will oppose you
Time to decide, where to go
It's time to make a decision about your next move
Start your journey, to the unknown
Embark on the path of self-discovery to unfamiliar territory
Contributed by Bentley V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
mattandkelly70
One of the best songs off of this CD!!!! LOVE Jon!!
Jay David
as a writer/singer- and after knowing them back before criss passed- this is a killer fuckin song!!! all love to Jon!!!