Lions Lions are in line with some of the forerunners of the Boston scene. Some of their members previous works have been in Jonah Veil, Vanna, and Therefore I Am. They've released 6 records thus far: Direction (2008), From What We Believe (2009), The Path We Take (2010), To Carve Our Names (2012), Changing The Definition (2015) and Monument (2017).
Formed in 2008, when Davis left his band Vanna, the lineup that would become Lions Lions began to take shape. Fueled by a desire to create music of a different style, Davis reached out to a number of like-minded friends and artists and found that within this intimate circle – Jon Kay on bass and Danny Poulin on vocals. A month into practicing, the band name was born. "Lions live together, hunt together, eat together – pretty much do everything together. Needless to say, that’s pretty much the way we are as friends, so when the word 'lions' was brought up, it just stuck."
Lions Lions had the good fortune of playing a sold-out bill for their first show and have rarely looked back, releasing their “Direction” EP on Legacy Maine (a small label in Portland, Oregon) and hitting the road for a slate of local and regional shows. Catching the eye of Panic Records, Lions Lions released From What We Believe in 2009 and took to the road the following year, touring the East Coast and then embarking on a full US tour. While in Reno, Nevada they met a guy named Joshua Herzer who would prove invaluable; when the band’s original singer Danny Poulin departed, Herzer tried out for the position and became a part of the pride.
For Lions Lions debut release on Hollywood Waste Records, To Carve Our Names, Shep Goodman and Aaron Accetta (Bayside, Forever The Sickest Kids, Get Scared) approached the band to produce. While To Carve Our Names retains the relentless pace of their previous releases (which includes 2010's The Path We Take), it also takes time to breathe. "Shep and Aaron helped us become better songwriters,” states Davis adding. "They helped us focus on the songs and really zone in on what aspects make a great song.”
Although the Goodman and Accetta polish is apparent with songs like "The Rights Steps," "Grounded," and "Our Colors," longtime fans need not worry about the band losing its edge: "Stable As Stone" and "Carry On" feature some of the band’s heaviest riffs to date. "Our record has a little bit of everything. We've always been open to taking chances and exploring different genres so this album is no different," states Davis.
With To Carve Our Names in the can and the band out of the studio, Lions Lions goes back to what they do best- hit the road. The band has toured North America with fellow road warriors For Today and We Came As Romans and in 2011, they played Bamboozle and the Warped Tour. 2012 is already shaping up to be a banner year for the band on the road, with full US runs with both Sleeping With Sirens and Comeback Kid on the books, Lions Lions are prepared to work tirelessly to promote their new album and “carve their name” into the scene.
The original lineup:
Daniel Poulin - Vocals (vocalist on Direction and From What We Believe, formally of A Loss For Words)
Brandon Davis - Guitar (formally of Vanna & Therefore I Am)
Van Khai Truong - Guitar
Johnny Kay - Bass/Vocals (formally of The Jonah Veil)
Phil Bjorkman - Drums
Joshua Herzer - Vocals (vocalist from The Path We Take until present)
Isaac Vigil - Guitar
Chris Pulgarin - Bass/Vocals
Derek Vautrinot - Drums
Nick Sjostrom - Drums
Brian Cauti - Drums
Discography:
2022 - Constellations (Single)
2021 - Wasted Life (Single)
2017 - Monument (Self-Released)
2015 - Changing The Definition (Self-Released)
2012 - To Carve Our Names (Hollywood Waste Records/Blank Page Empire Records)
2010 - The Path We Take (Panic Records)
2009 - From What We Believe (Panic Records)
2008 - Direction (Legacy Maine)
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Bliss
Lions Lions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Playing my tongue like a puppet, making me sing out of sync and tune
I'm afraid to sober up, cause I'm afraid that I might find
I'm just a perspective shift away from losing my mind
It may not be reflected by real life
(But in my mind I'm doing fine)
It's all rose tinted through these bloodshot eyes
It may not be reflected by real life
(But in my mind I'm doing fine)
But in my mind I'm doing fine
I'm doing, yes, I'm doing alright
Style over substance unless the substance can be abused
No empathy, no heart on the sleeve of my slick designer suit
I used to sing sad ballads but these days it's mostly meaningless rhymes
From the vodka addled vacuum of my mind
Yes, sublime I've got heaven on my mind
And joy reverberating through my soul
Ignorance is bliss, and bliss is the only goal
And so I'm letting go of everything I know
To keep my conscience clean, a drink and a dance is all I need
The bright lights simply serve to deepen the shadows
Ignorance is bliss, and bliss is the only goal
And so I'm letting go of everything I know
In the first verse, the lyrics portray a sense of uncertainty and a struggle to determine one's true self. The mention of "liquids consumed" suggests the influence of alcohol or substances causing a distortion in perception. The singer is unsure whether their words stem from their genuine thoughts or from the altered state they are in. The metaphor of playing the tongue like a puppet reflects the lack of control over their speech, singing out of sync and tune. There is a fear of sobriety, as it may reveal a potential loss of sanity, emphasizing the vulnerability of the singer's mental state.
The chorus highlights the contrast between the singer's perception of their life and the reality of it. In their mind, they believe everything is fine, shown by the repeated phrase "But in my mind, I'm doing fine." However, this self-perception may not align with the actual circumstances of their life, creating a disconnect between their thoughts and the external world.
Moving into the second verse, the lyrics explore a focus on appearances and superficiality. The singer values style over substance, indicating a preference for the outward image rather than what truly matters beneath the surface. They wear a "slick designer suit" and seem to lack empathy or emotional vulnerability, implying a detachment from emotions and an emphasis on image and materialism. The shift from singing sad ballads to meaningless rhymes suggests a shift in the singer's artistic expression, possibly mirroring a loss of depth and a preoccupation with shallow pursuits.
The bridge changes the tone slightly, expressing an alternative mindset. The lyrics suggest a desire for enlightenment and a detachment from reality. The singer believes they have "heaven on their mind" and experience joy within their soul. Ignorance is presented as bliss, with the pursuit of bliss being the only goal. Letting go of everything they know, they seek to maintain a clear conscience by indulging in drink and dance. However, the mention of deepening shadows suggests a recognition of the potential consequences and hidden complexities that lie beneath the surface of this pursuit of bliss.
Overall, the lyrics of "Bliss" evoke themes of self-doubt, escapism, and the struggle to find contentment. The song delves into the dissonance between one's internal perception and external reality, highlighting the influence of substances and the dangers of valuing appearances over substance. It also explores the allure of ignorance as a means of achieving happiness, while acknowledging the potential pitfalls and shadows that accompany it.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not sure if it's me that's talking, or if it's the liquids I've consumed
I'm uncertain if it's my true self speaking, or if it's the influence of alcohol
Playing my tongue like a puppet, making me sing out of sync and tune
Altering my speech and causing me to sing off-key and out of rhythm
I'm afraid to sober up, cause I'm afraid that I might find
Fearful of becoming sober as I fear discovering something unsettling
I'm just a perspective shift away from losing my mind
A slight change in perspective could result in a complete mental breakdown
It may not be reflected by real life
The reality may not match the image I have in my mind
(But in my mind I'm doing fine)
(However, I believe everything is going well in my mind)
It's all rose tinted through these bloodshot eyes
Viewing everything with a distorted and overly positive perception due to alcohol-induced bloodshot eyes
(But in my mind I'm doing fine)
(But in my mind I'm doing fine)
But in my mind I'm doing fine
But deep down, I convince myself that I'm doing well
I'm doing, yes, I'm doing alright
I'm managing, yes, I'm managing just fine
Style over substance unless the substance can be abused
Prioritizing appearance and superficiality, except when it comes to substances that can be misused
No empathy, no heart on the sleeve of my slick designer suit
Lacking compassion, not displaying emotions openly despite wearing flashy clothing
I used to sing sad ballads but these days it's mostly meaningless rhymes
Previously, I would sing emotionally-driven songs, but now my lyrics hold little significance
From the vodka addled vacuum of my mind
Originating from my intoxicated and empty state of mind filled with vodka
Yes, sublime I've got heaven on my mind
Yes, I consider myself to be in a state of transcendence, with thoughts focused on heaven
And joy reverberating through my soul
Experiencing profound happiness resonating within me
Ignorance is bliss, and bliss is the only goal
Being unaware or choosing to ignore reality brings contentment, which is the only objective
And so I'm letting go of everything I know
Hence, I'm releasing all my knowledge and understanding
To keep my conscience clean, a drink and a dance is all I need
In order to maintain a clear conscience, all I require is a beverage and some dancing
The bright lights simply serve to deepen the shadows
The vibrant and stimulating environment only intensifies the darkness within
Ignorance is bliss, and bliss is the only goal
Being unaware or choosing to ignore reality brings contentment, which is the only objective
And so I'm letting go of everything I know
Hence, I'm releasing all my knowledge and understanding
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RUSSELL GRANT COWARD, GAD DE COMBES, THOMAS JAMES REVINGTON, JAKE RUBINSTEIN, ALASTAIR LESLIE THOMAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind