Maylene and the Sons of Disaster's II was released on Ferret Records nationwide on March 20, 2007.
Maylene's third album, III, was released on June 23, 2009. The song Just a Shock was released to the band's MySpace page on May 11th, 2009. III debuted at #71 on the Billboard 200.
Dallas Taylor is the most notable member of Maylene and the Sons of Disaster. He was the original vocalist for the metalcore/post-hardcore band Underoath until late 2003.
The band name and concept are based on the legend of the criminal gang of Ma Barker and her sons, noting that evil lifestyles will be met with "divine justice".
Maylene's current roster is:
Dallas Taylor - Vocals
Roman Haviland - Bass
Kelly Scott Nunn - Guitar
Matt Clark - Drums
Chad Huff - Guitar
Jake Duncan - Guitar
and former members include:
Scott Collum - Guitar (2004 - 2008)
Josh Cornutt - Guitar (2004 - 2008)
Josh Williams - Guitar (2005 - 2008)
Lee Turner - Drums (2004-2008)
Although there have been many reports of Maylene and the Sons of Disaster being a Christian band, there is little to no evidence in their lyrics, and Dallas Taylor has been noted in a 2006 interview that "Maylene and Christianity are children of two entirely separate mothers."
In late 2007, he was also reported to have said that "just because [he] was formerly involved with a Christian band (referring to Underoath), it doesn't explicitly make our band a Christian band. We know that many of our fans are Christians, and that's fine, but we as a band in no way endorse the philosophies taught by today's Christian church." Dallas has been quoted saying "For us, faith is what makes us.", noting that members of the band may be Christians, and their faith may motivate them to do what they do, but Maylene is not an evangelical Christian band.
Dry The River
Maylene and the Sons of Disaster Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've kissed the dark horse.
Random lines not sure if they came out right.
This is going so wrong
But you just can't stop laughing when you feel the fall
So head on down my world is ending
I'll take back everything if you'll stay by my side
Believe me when I say that you'll see greater days
I didn't want to leave
Listen close to the other side
Like a storm on a summer's night
What's more to hate the thoughts or the mind?
This moments taking me. I'm falling... I've fallen
I'll take back everything if you'll stay by my side
Cause I'm told the river went dry
Believe me when I say that you'll see greater days
I didn't want to leave
Been uneasy so long I feel we're not alone
Someone needs to speak to you it feels they're inside me
Writing from the lost 30's
Take caution if you chose to read
These are not my beliefs
Writing from the lost 30's... We're not alone
I'll take back everything if you'll stay by my side
Cause I'm told the river went dry
Believe me when I say that you'll see greater days
I didn't want to leave
In “Dry the River”, Maylene and the Sons of Disaster describe the emotional turmoil of a moment when everything feels like it is crashing down. As the lyrics “Saw my life flash before my eyes” suggest, the singer is experiencing a powerful sense of instability and uncertainty, and even the “random lines” being spoken don't provide solace. However, despite the feelings of calamity, the singer remembers that sometimes, even in the midst of profound sadness, it can be hard to suppress laughter. This tension between hopelessness and an unquenchable spirit represents one of the central themes of the song: even if we feel like we’re falling apart, we must persevere with an unbreakable determination.
Later, Maylene and the Sons of Disaster begin to explore what it means to move beyond hardship. In the line “I'll take back everything if you'll stay by my side”, it is clear that the singer recognizes the value of knowing that there is someone in one’s life to rely on. Furthermore, they describe a moment when everything feels like it is coming to a close - “my world is ending” - yet believes that better things lie ahead, and implores the listener to “Believe me when I say that you'll see greater days”. This sense of optimism, even in the depths of despair, is the message that makes “Dry the River” attainable to so many listeners.
Overall, “Dry the River” is a song about vulnerability, the turbulence of our lives, and the notion that even in the darkest of moments, there is always a glimmer of hope. While the verses detail the pain and confusion of hardship, the chorus offers a sense of solace and positivity that is both inspiring and comforting.
Line by Line Meaning
Saw my life flash before my eyes.
I was in a near-death experience and I thought I was going to die.
I've kissed the dark horse.
I've taken risks that could lead to failure or death.
Random lines not sure if they came out right.
I'm not sure if what I'm doing or saying is correct.
This is going so wrong
Things are not going as planned and it's causing distress.
But you just can't stop laughing when you feel the fall
Sometimes when things go wrong, the only way to cope is through laughter.
So head on down my world is ending
I feel like everything is falling apart and there's nothing I can do about it.
I'll take back everything if you'll stay by my side
I'm willing to do whatever it takes to keep you in my life.
Cause I'm told the river went dry
I've been told that the situation is hopeless and there's no way to fix it.
Believe me when I say that you'll see greater days
I'm hopeful that things will get better in the future.
I didn't want to leave
I wish I didn't have to go through this situation or leave this person.
Listen close to the other side
Be attentive to the perspectives and experiences of others.
Like a storm on a summer's night
A sudden and intense feeling or experience that is unexpected.
What's more to hate the thoughts or the mind?
Is it the thoughts or the mind that we should hate?
This moments taking me. I'm falling... I've fallen
I feel like I'm losing control of the situation and everything is going downhill.
Been uneasy so long I feel we're not alone
I've been feeling anxious or unsettled for a while, and I feel like there's something or someone else with me.
Someone needs to speak to you it feels they're inside me
There's something I need to say to you, and I feel like it's weighing on me and affecting me internally.
Writing from the lost 30's
This writing is from a time long ago and seems outdated.
Take caution if you chose to read
Be careful if you decide to read this, as it may have negative consequences.
These are not my beliefs
I don't necessarily agree with or support what I've written.
We're not alone
There are others experiencing similar things or supporting each other through tough times.
Contributed by Skyler A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.