Formed in the winter 2001, Life Long Tragedy have taken a life altering course. This was their first band, formed when founding members vocalist Scott Phillips, guitarist RJ Phillips, and drummer Jason Woolery were only 14 to 16 years old. Less than six months later guitarist Jery Gallegos and bassist Cody Sullivan rounded out the lineup which has since been unchanged In 2005, Life Long Tragedy released their debut, "Destined for Anything" on This Blessing This Curse. Soon after, the band toured the U.S. and Europe before finding a home on Deathwish.
In late 2006, Life Long Tragedy teamed up with Los Angeles based Final Fight for a split 7"EP release on Deathwish. The effort was well received, quickly selling out in physical copies, then later becoming one of the top downloaded releases on downloadpunk.com.
Over a year in the making, "Runaways" captured the raw beauty that weeps from the core of Life Long Tragedy. Songs like "The Bottomless Hole" and "Hey Death" showcased their bold growth, finding confidence at slower tempos and in more open song writing than their contemporaries. While "Youth" and "Ignoring Lessons" raced forth with the rabid rebellious energy that Life Long Tragedy have been previously been known for. All of this was complimented by some of the most heart wrenching lyrics and crude melodies in recent memory. All together, these qualities made "Runaways" an infectious effort that will be championed my many for years to come.
Life Long Tragedy called it a day in 2008.
Scott Phillips - vocals
RJ Phillips - guitar
Jery Gallegos - guiar
Cody Sullivan - bass
Jason Woolery - drums
http://myspace.com/lifelongtragedy
The Bottomless Hole
Life Long Tragedy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Blood spilling from my lips
Future thrown to the fire
I can't keep it a secret.
I am limited by the flesh I'm in
Mass of misguiding illusions
And the life you live comes with consequence
And the hole you're in is bottomless.
Knowing it's treacherous,
I won't be crucified so stay out of my business.
Man shed his waste on you and me
Filled time with make believe
The guilt you built in those basements
The children you raped.
Their scars are permanent
Discard yourself for all our sake.
The opening lines of Life Long Tragedy's song "The Bottomless Hole" confront the chaos and destruction that inevitably stem from our own malicious pursuits. The singer acknowledges their "calamitous intentions" and how those intentions have led to bloodshed and destruction ("blood spilling from my lips"). They are keenly aware that their actions have compromised their own future ("future thrown to the fire") and that they can no longer keep their secrets.
The following lines indicate a deep sense of frustration regarding the limitations of the flesh ("I am limited by the flesh I'm in") and how our perceptions and beliefs can be misguided without proper guidance ("mass of misguiding illusions"). The singer goes on to suggest that every action has a consequence, and that the consequences of their actions have landed them in a bottomless hole from which they cannot escape ("and the life you live comes with consequence, and the hole you're in is bottomless").
The tone of the song becomes darker as the lyrics address a "capsize with the infected," a group of people that the singer considers to be treacherous. They assert that they won't be "crucified" and demand that others stay out of their business. The final lines take a sharp turn, referencing the atrocities of man against man ("man shed his waste on you and me") and how we've filled our time with illusions and distractions ("filled time with make-believe"). The weight of this guilt is likened to the trauma inflicted on children ("the guilt you built in those basements, the children you raped") and ends with a call for the self-destruction of the singer and those like them ("discard yourself for all our sake").
Line by Line Meaning
Calamitous intentions
My intentions are disastrous and catastrophic
Blood spilling from my lips
I am wounded and suffering, with my pain manifesting itself in my words
Future thrown to the fire
My future prospects have been destroyed, and any hope I may have had has vanished
I can't keep it a secret.
I am unable to keep the truth hidden any longer, and must express it openly
I am limited by the flesh I'm in
My physical body and its limitations are hindering my ability to achieve my desires
Mass of misguiding illusions
There are numerous false beliefs and distorted perspectives surrounding me, clouding my judgment
And the life you live comes with consequence
Every action you take has an impact on your life, whether it be positive or negative
And the hole you're in is bottomless.
Your situation is dire and hopeless, with no clear way out
Capsize with the infected
Joining with those who are sick and corrupt will only bring me down as well
Knowing it's treacherous,
Despite being aware that it is dangerous and risky
I won't be crucified so stay out of my business.
I refuse to be held responsible for the faults or mistakes of others, so don't interfere with my affairs
Man shed his waste on you and me
Humanity has polluted and contaminated our world and lives
Filled time with make believe
Our existence is filled with fantasies and delusions that distract us from reality
The guilt you built in those basements
You have created and harbored a sense of guilt and shame within yourself
The children you raped.
You have committed heinous and unspeakable acts of sexual violence against innocent children
Their scars are permanent
The emotional and physical damage you inflicted on your victims will never fully heal or fade away
Discard yourself for all our sake.
It would be best for everyone if you simply disappeared and removed yourself from society
Contributed by Sarah E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.