The band followed in 2000 with Social Icon, a blistering album filled with dead-on harmonies and infectious pop hooks delivered with an attitude. Along with 10 original tracks, Left Front Tire acknowledged the full range of their musical influences - not to mention their roots - with a cover of Hank Williams Jr.'s "A Country Boy Can Survive."
Social Icon, produced by Rick Beato (Mike Lee, King Konga) and released on the band's own Gladiator Records, sold over 5,000 copies. Earning a reputation as a high-energy live band, Left Front Tire not only grabbed the attention of pop-punk fans throughout the Southeast club circuit but also in the music industry. This reputation - and their ability to back it up - led to performances in front of huge crowds at Atlanta alternative rock station 99X's "Big Day Out" and Music Midtown (Atlanta, GA's largest outdoor festival).
In 2001, Left Front Tire's song "Bring You Down" was added as the third track on the American Pie 2 soundtrack just behind Blink 182 and Green Day and before the likes of Uncle Kracker, American Hi-Fi and Alien Ant Farm. In late 2001, 99X added the single to their rotation.
Now, after a decade spent honing their sound, recording and playing live dates, stacking up an impressive resume along the way, Left Front Tire is poised to release it's first album with The Redeye Label, 42 Ways to Lose a Friend. The album's title came about through a conversation the band had in their tour van during one outing. "It was one of those 'on the road' conversations," recalls drummer Josh Davis. "We actually counted up the girls we had known that more than one of us had dated; first it was 10, then when we got to 42 we were like, 'Ohmigod, this is so embarrassing,'" he says, laughing. "The reason we selected that for the name of record is that it reflects our lives in between the last record and this record - growing up, becoming a man, and the terrible things we did to each other. Somehow, we all got through it, 'cause we're all best friends in the world."
Frontman Chip Dillard couldn't agree more. "We went in a little foggy but we hacked through it, and it was just like, 'Wow, we finally did it,'" he says, talking about making the album. "I am more proud of this record than anything we've done yet; we put a lot of blood, sweat and tears type stuff in it. It's what we meant to convey - in a good way."
Left Front Tire's music is the sound of combustible youth, the impending chaos of punk rock, the sing-along melody of pop and the wisdom of performers experienced beyond their years. In short, it's damn good and it's about time you heard what you've been missing up until now. The band's third
CD, 42 Ways to Lose a Friend, hits the streets July 15, 2003!
However shortly after signing with Red Eye Records, LFT decided to call it quits. They played their final show at the 40-watt club in Athens, Georgia, in the fall of 2005.
LEFT FRONT TIRE FACTS...
Left Front Tire has:
* appeared on the American Pie 2 soundtrack (one of the top ten grossing movies of 2001)
* sold 5000+ copies of the independent release Social Icon
* had the #1 selling CD at Athensmusic.net for 2002 (an online retail store for all Athens, GA music)
* the single "Bring You Down" was added at 99X (one of the country's top modern rock stations)
* just toured the UK (Dates in Scotland, England & Wales) (Sept 2002)
* headlined a Warped Tour date in Atlanta, performed during Atlanta's inaugural On the Bricks concert series. performed at Music Midtown for two straight years' performed at Atlanta's Big Day Out for two straight years, performed at 99X's Downtown Rocks concert series (summer 2002)
* supported tour dates for American HiFi, SR-71 & Butch Walker
* wrote & recorded soundtrack songs for New Line Cinema
Left Front Tire is...
Chip Dillard - lead vocals, guitar
Josh Davis - drums, vocals
Brent Dobbs - guitar (left the band in between albums)
Justin Holcomb - guitar, vocals
Brent Reems - bass
Discography:
Left Front Tire (1996) - Independent
Social Icon (2000) - Gladiator Records
42 Ways to Lose a Friend (2003) - The Redeye Label
Bring U Down
Left Front Tire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the words don't come out right.
Footprints in the Sand reveals
To me a past scene of my life.
Please stand by me through
The thick and thin,
Though the trials of my life.
He's dealing with me now
You're doing it again.
I'm not trying to bring you down.
I just want you to see
What is happening to me.
I'm not trying to bring you down.
Just understand that I
Was blind but I am learning to see.
I've ran long enough from
What I know is right.
The sands of yesterday are
Sliding through the clutched fingers of life.
I'm not saying that the fun is gone,
Or the times we had are in vain.
There's a break in the wilderness.
My narrow path is clearing again
It's clearing once again.
I'm not trying to bring you down.
I just want you to see
What is happening to me.
I'm not trying to bring you down.
Just understand that I
Was blind but I am learning to see.
I'm not trying to bring you down.
I just want you to see
What is happening to me.
I'm not trying to bring you down.
Just understand that I
Was blind but I am learning to see.
In "Bring You Down", the lyrics describe the frustration of not being able to communicate effectively when trying to express oneself. The singer is acknowledging their struggle to articulate their thoughts and feelings and is seeking support from their loved ones to stand by them during their struggles. The second verse describes a sense of regret and guilt for avoiding what they know is right and acknowledging that time is slipping away from them. The line "There's a break in the wilderness. My narrow path is clearing again" suggests that the singer has found a way to move past their struggles and come out of a difficult time, bringing new clarity to their life.
The chorus of the song repeats the same message: the singer is not trying to bring anyone down, but rather needs them to understand and support their journey towards self-realization. The final line, "Was blind but I am learning to see," is a reference to the spiritual concept of enlightenment, where the potential for true understanding comes from within yourself.
Line by Line Meaning
I feel frustration sometimes
Occasionally, I experience a feeling of dissatisfaction.
When the words don't come out right.
This can occur when I am unable to express myself correctly.
Footprints in the Sand reveals
The poem 'Footprints in the Sand' provides insight into my past.
To me a past scene of my life.
Through this poem, I can reflect on a specific moment from my past.
Please stand by me through
I ask that you support me in all situations,
The thick and thin,
both the good and bad times.
Though the trials of my life.
Even during the difficult moments.
He's dealing with me now
I am currently being tested or challenged by a higher power.
I turn around you're doing it again
I look away momentarily, and when I turn back, you have repeated a behavior or action.
You're doing it again.
The repetition of your actions is frustrating to me.
I'm not trying to bring you down.
I am not attempting to lower your mood or make you feel bad.
I just want you to see
Instead, I want you to understand and become aware of
What is happening to me.
the challenges or obstacles I am facing.
Just understand that I
It is important for you to comprehend that
Was blind but I am learning to see.
I was previously unaware or ignorant about a situation but am now gaining knowledge and insight.
I've ran long enough from
I have been avoiding, ignoring or running away from
What I know is right.
something that I know is morally or ethically correct.
The sands of yesterday are
The memories from my past are
Sliding through the clutched fingers of life.
slowly disappearing or vanishing from my memory or consciousness.
I'm not saying that the fun is gone,
I am not suggesting that all enjoyment or amusement has ceased.
Or the times we had are in vain.
Nor am I implying that our past experiences were worthless or unimportant.
There's a break in the wilderness.
However, there is a moment of clarity amongst the chaos.
My narrow path is clearing again
My once limited vision is becoming clearer again.
It's clearing once again.
I am regaining my sense of direction and purpose.
I just want you to see
Again, I would like you to understand
What is happening to me.
the personal struggles or issues that I am currently facing.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: EDOUARD JEAN PAUL MAUNICK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind