<… Read Full Bio ↴Link 80 was a punk rock/ska punk band from the San Francisco Bay Area.
Link 80 started in early 1994 in the famous East Bay of California. In the beginning, original members (guitarist Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, drummer Joey Bustos, bassist Adam Pereria and singer Jeff Acree) played around town as Drano, The Rag-Tags, and Mr. Slave-Unit, before settling on Link 80.
The name came from the interstate highway I-80 which they used to get to the drummer's garage for band practice and connected the band members' homes.
In July 1995, Nick Traina joined the band after meeting Adam at a show in San Francisco's Mission District. Nick's passion and voice combined with the rest of the band to make them different from most ska bands and gave Link 80 the "against the rest" attitude they display throughout their lyrics. Far more punk than ska and with an energy and a sense of immediacy lacking in pop-oriented ska bands, Link 80 was able to avoid the clichés of ska-punk characterized by their peers. As Asian Man Records describes them, they are an energetic blend of ska, punk rock, and hardcore.
After some demos, split EPs, complilation releases, "17 Reasons" and "Killing Katie" (both on Asian Man Records) Nick left Link 80 and started another band called Knowledge. Knowledge released one record on Asian Man Records named "A Gift Before I Go". Shortly thereafter Nick Traina committed suicide, at the age of 19... Ryan Noble took over as lead singer of Link 80 and released "The Struggle Continues," as well as some split EPs.
In 2002, the band consisting of Adam Davis, Aaron Nagel, Steve Borth, Joey Bustos, Barry Krippene, and singer Ryan Noble went on hiatus. Steve Borth would join Rx Bandits, before forming his own band Satori in 2006. The remaining Link 80 members would form DESA. They have since maintained that Link 80 would return, but for now they are focused on their respective projects.
Joey and Ryan are now in The Soft White Sixties. Matt formed a band called Dolores (with Nick's brother Todd Traina) and is a member of the comedy trio Chad, Matt & Rob. Aaron runs Two Twenty Two Design Studio and is an artist whose work can be seen on the covers of The Resignation and ...And the Battle Begun. Adam Pereria played with Thought Crime after leaving Link 80.
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Up to the Top
Link 80 Lyrics
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Get knocked down to the ground
When will all the bullshit stop
What goes around comes around
My success is measured by comparison to you
Your times come and gone
You are fucking through
Too proud to admit that you don't know it all
Not gonna give up no matter what you say
I know that life is tough
I'm reminded of it everyday
I pick myself up and then I start again
It's endless cycle and it's never gonna end
When you say that I'm a failure
I know that you are wrong
Whatever doesn't kill me will only make me strong
I will make an effort until the day I die
I will stand on my two feet and I will always try
The song "Up to the Top" by Link 80 portrays a message of resilience and determination. The lyrics speak of the struggle to reach success and the constant setbacks that come along the way. It starts with climbing up to the top, only to get knocked down to the ground. Despite this, the singer refuses to give up and emphasizes that what goes around comes around. There is a clear reference to someone who used to be successful but has now fallen from grace, and the singer measures their own success by comparison to this person.
The second verse calls out the person who has fallen from grace for being too proud to admit that they do not know it all. The pride does not mean anything when the "back's against the wall". The singer remains determined, refusing to give up no matter what they are told. They acknowledge that life is tough, and they are reminded of it every day. However, they choose to pick themselves up and start again in an endless cycle that will never end.
Finally, the singer acknowledges those who call them a failure but believes that they are wrong. Whatever doesn't kill them will only make them stronger, and they are willing to make an effort until the day they die. The ultimate goal is to stand on their two feet and always try. The song leaves a message of determination, resilience, and never giving up, emphasizing that success comes from picking oneself up and trying again, no matter how many times they get knocked down.
Line by Line Meaning
Climb up to the top
Strive to succeed.
Get knocked down to the ground
Experience setbacks and failures.
When will all the bullshit stop
Express frustration with life's challenges and hardships.
What goes around comes around
Believe in cause and effect, and the idea that actions have consequences.
My success is measured by comparison to you
Base personal achievement on relative success compared to others.
Your times come and gone
Think that others' time in the spotlight is over.
You are fucking through
Believe that others' success is fleeting and will not last.
Too proud to admit that you don't know it all
Acknowledge that pride can hinder personal growth and that no one knows everything.
Pride doesn't mean shit when you back's against the wall
Recognize that in tough times, pride can be useless and that humility may be more valuable.
Not gonna give up no matter what you say
Refuse to quit despite negative feedback or discouragement.
I know that life is tough
Understand that life presents challenges and obstacles.
I'm reminded of it everyday
Feel that everyday experiences serve as reminders of the difficulties of life.
I pick myself up and then I start again
Persist in the face of adversity and never give up.
It's endless cycle and it's never gonna end
View life as a continual cycle of ups and downs, and recognize that this pattern will continue indefinitely.
When you say that I'm a failure
Respond to criticism from others.
I know that you are wrong
Believe in oneself and maintain self-confidence even when facing criticism.
Whatever doesn't kill me will only make me strong
Believe that experiences of difficulty will only make one stronger.
I will make an effort until the day I die
Commit to hard work and effort over the course of one's lifetime.
I will stand on my two feet and I will always try
Remain independent and self-motivated, and continue to try despite setbacks.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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