He founded the hardcore punk band 7 Seconds in 1979 with his brother Steve Youth. Having been their frontman ever since, he also writes their lyrics. He got the band signed to the Better Youth Organization label in 1982. Since its formation, 7 Seconds has released over 15 records as well as touring North America, Europe and Japan multiple times.
Simultaneously with his career with 7 Seconds, he has been engaged in several side projects. These include Go National, Drop Acid, Mustard and the more recent project Ghetto Moments. For 3 and a half years, he hosted a weekly punk rock radio show on the now-defunct KWOD 106.5 in Sacramento before being unceremoniously fired, due to budget cuts at the station. He currently hosts a weekly acoustic/punk show on PunkRadioCast.com.
Starting as a solo artist in 1990, Kevin Seconds has toured the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe. He has released several solo albums under various monikers, including released Rodney, Reggie, Emily in 1994, Stoudamire in 1997 Heaven's Near Wherever You Are in 2001 and his most recent release, Rise Up, Insomniacs! which came out in 2008.
In 2002, he released a split e.p. with Matt Skiba (Alkaline Trio).
He has 2 full-length albums due out by the spring of 2010 as well as a slew of collaborative split 7-inch releases with various fellow punk rock singer/songwriters including Kepi Ghoulie (ex-Groovie Ghoulies), Mike Scott (Phinius Gage from the UK), Mike Hale (In The Red), Joey Cape (Lagwagon), Jonah Matranga (Far), Jesse Michaels (Classics Of Love/Operation Ivy) and more.
Seconds continues to sing and write material for 7Seconds who will celebrate their 30 year anniversary in early 2010.
Salvation
Kevin Seconds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want your salvation
there's a neighborhood called blackhawk
where all the rich people hide
I was down on my luck working for the salvation army
The shelter is where i reside
Everyday we drive into blackhawk
Microwave, refrigerator for the suffering
Come on baby won't you show me what you got
I want your salvation
I can't believe these people live like kings
Hidden estates and diamond rings
I'm a rat out on a mission
I'm in your front yard under suspicion
Come on baby won't you show me what you got
I want your salvation
In Kevin Seconds's song Salvation, he sings about his experience working for the Salvation Army and the contrast between the wealthy community of Blackhawk and the struggling individuals who reside in the shelter. The chorus "Come on baby won't you show me what you got, I want your salvation" represents the desire for something more, in this case, salvation or a way out of the difficult circumstances he finds himself in.
The first stanza sets the scene of his daily routine, driving into Blackhawk to collect offerings from the wealthy residents. He lists the items they collect which include a microwave and refrigerator for the suffering. This juxtaposition of the abundance in Blackhawk and the lack in the shelter emphasizes the reality of economic disparity in society.
The second verse expresses his feelings of disbelief towards the lavish lifestyles of the Blackhawk residents, such as hidden estates and diamond rings. Kevin Seconds portrays himself as a rat on a mission, willing to do anything to find a way out of his situation. The line "I'm in your front yard under suspicion" adds a sense of danger and urgency to the song. Overall, the lyrics of Salvation tell a story of struggle, desperation, and a longing for something better.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on baby won't you show me what you got
Asking someone to reveal their true nature or intentions.
I want your salvation
Seeking deliverance or relief from a difficult situation.
There's a neighborhood called Blackhawk
Referring to a specific location where wealthy people live.
Where all the rich people hide
Implying their desire to remain isolated from common folk.
I was down on my luck working for the Salvation Army
Having hard times & requiring employment that provides aid to less-fortunate people.
The shelter is where I reside
A place he has to live that provides minimal shelter, which is probably crowded or uncomfortable.
Everyday we drive into Blackhawk
Traveling to the area where the wealthy people live.
And we pick up the offerings
Gathering donations (that probably are no longer needed or out-dated) from the community.
Microwave, refrigerator for the suffering
Charity objects that seem obsolete or unneeded, which he must deliver to those living in extreme poverty.
I can't believe these people live like kings
Expressing shock over the lavish lifestyle enjoyed by the wealthy people.
Hidden estates and diamond rings
Describing the affluence and luxuriousness of the people.
I'm a rat out on a mission
An underdog on a quest, fighting the man & their hegemony.
I'm in your front yard under suspicion
Being suspected of wrongdoing while attempting to better his own livelihood.
Writer(s): Timothy Armstrong, Roger M. Freeman
Contributed by Ethan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.