Beginnings
Justifide began at home, with the brokenness of distressed family relations, a circumstance that eventually led to experimentation with alcohol and other drugs. While they were only in their teens, the Moncivaiz brothers lived in a house that was stressed to the breaking point, with the parents separated. The problems started to spiral downward, and the situation might have ended up much worse. But one event changed the family's direction: convinced of the family's need for God, the Moncivaizes' father became born again. That spiritual transformation turned the family's life around. Music was a natural outlet for the family, since both brothers had started learning instruments as a young age.
Second Stage
As a formal group, Justifide started with Ian Metzger as the vocalist, Jason Moncivaiz on drums, Sambo Moncivaiz on the bass, and Joey Avalos playing the guitar. They try to keep it real, not playing depressing songs all the time but not playing all "happy" songs either. In the words of singer Jason Moncivaiz:
"We try to touch on all of the human experience. Life and death,
love and loss. We don't just experience the emotion of joy. There's
a lot of other stuff going on in us, too. So not all of our songs are
'coming from a happy place.' And not all of our songs are going to
be depressing and sad. We're trying to write about all of life, all
of the things we're feeling."
After about a year of touring and recording the band's first indie EP, Life Outside the Toybox, Ian Metzger departed. Jason started singing as well as playing the drums. The remaining members toured a bit as a three-man band, but eventually they began hiring drummers to free up Jason to concentrate on vocals. Some of the drummers the band worked with were Jaren Johnston of Bang Bang Bang and Jeff Irizarry of Dear Ephesus. Guitarist Joey Avalos left Justifide in 2003. He has since gone on to work with Pillar and an independent project called Stars Go Dim.
Reform the Resistance
After years of recording, touring, and switching drummers and guitarists, the band finally acquired a permanent drummer, Ryan Dugger of Nashville, Tennessee, and renamed itself Reform the Resistance. The new three-person group has released an EP titled "And It Begins" and its first single "Tonight" to Christian rock radio.
Change
Justifide Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't you see what is happening
To all of the
People that are suffering?
Well do you see it now?
And if we don't change
We're all going down
God help us now
People turn their backs
To those in need
For no reason but
Oh their selfish greed
Well do you see it now?
If you think the world's alright
Take a look inside yourself
See what you might find
Try to see the future
Through your children's eyes
The song "Change" by Justifide is a call to action for people to open their eyes and recognize the suffering of others. The lyrics encourage listeners to see beyond their own lives and take action to help those in need. The opening lines, "Wake up my friends, don't you see what is happening to all of the people that are suffering?" set the tone for the rest of the song. The vocals are urgent and pleading, creating a sense of urgency that matches the message of the song.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the importance of taking action to create change. The lyrics state, "And if we don't change, we're all going down. If we don't do anything, God help us now." This is a clear message that inaction will have severe consequences. The verses of the song highlight how people can become blinded by their own self-interest and turn their backs on those in need. The lyrics state, "People turn their backs to those in need, for no reason but their selfish greed. Well, do you see it now?" This is a powerful message that encourages listeners to look beyond their own needs and help others.
The song concludes with the lyrics, "Try to see the future through your children's eyes." This is a message of hope that encourages listeners to think about the world they want to create for future generations. The lyrics suggest that by taking action and creating change, we can create a better future for ourselves and for those who come after us.
Line by Line Meaning
Wake up my friends
Calling attention to consciousness from sleep or ignorance among acquaintances
Don't you see what is happening
Asks observers to recognize a current reality and its effects
To all of the
People that are suffering?
References an entire group that is experiencing pain or hardship
Well do you see it now?
Repeated inquiry as to whether or not something has been recognized
And if we don't change
Hypothetical construct framing consequences of inaction
We're all going down
Group effort of the inaction to achieve a negative outcome (figurative or literal)
If we don't do anything
Stated alternative to inaction
God help us now
Calling for divine intervention
People turn their backs
Describing a mental or physical action of neglect or betrayal
To those in need
Designation of a group deserving of attention, resources, or assistance
For no reason but
Indicates a lack of justification or purpose for the action of neglect/betrayal
Oh their selfish greed
Assigns motive for the negative action to a self-serving characteristic or desire
Well do you see it now?
Repeated inquiry as to whether or not something has been recognized
If you think the world's alright
Calls attention to the internal perception or belief of the status of a larger entity
Take a look inside yourself
Suggests introspection as a means of assessing one's own contributions to the status of the larger entity
See what you might find
Anticipation of a deeper understanding or realization through introspection
Try to see the future
Encourages perception of what is to come
Through your children's eyes
Suggests a perspective that considers the impact on future generations
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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