Discography:
2007 - Memphis May Fire (EP)
2009 - Sleepwalking
2010 - Between the Lies (EP)
2011 - The Hollow
2012 - Challenger
2014 - Unconditional
2016 - This Light I Hold
2018 - Broken
In early 2007, the band recorded and self-released an EP, and began creating a local following. Shortly thereafter, Memphis May Fire caught the attention of Josh Grabelle, the president of Trustkill Records. In September 2007 the band had officially signed to Trustkill, and their self-titled EP (Memphis May Fire)was reissued through the label in December 2007.
Memphis May Fire hoped to release their debut album by summer 2008, however, during the recording sessions for the album, lead singer Chase Ryan decided to leave the band. Chase explained that he felt that his priorities should be with his newborn child and not a band. Upon announcing his resignation, bass player Austin Radford also decided to part ways with the band shortly thereafter. He would be replaced by Cory Elder. Open auditions were held shortly after Chase's departure, and he was eventually replaced by a new vocalist, Matty Mullins. By this time, Memphis May Fire had already recorded their instruments for the new album with producer Casey Bates and only needed Mullins to contribute his vocals.
Their debut full-length studio album, Sleepwalking, was released on July 21, 2009, through Trustkill Records. Memphis May Fire has described the album as "a new breed of rock n' roll" and musically it has "more aggressive guitar work and noticeably more melodic, but still retains that southern swagger." Their song "Ghost in the Mirror" was used on the soundtrack for the movie Saw VI.
The official music video for "Ghost in the Mirror" was released on February 2nd, 2010 through the Trustkill YouTube page.
Memphis May Fire released a second EP entitled Between the Lies on November 2, 2010, through Bullet Tooth Records with more energy and a different style than their previous releases. On December 9, 2010 the band post in their Facebook that the song "Action/Adventure" will be featured in the video game Rock Band 3. In 2010, Matty Mullins was featured in the song "That's What She Said", from Kid Liberty's debut album Fight with Your Fists.
On January 17, 2011, Rise Records announced Memphis May Fire signed to the label and that a new album will be released in spring. The band recently wrapped up the recording of their upcoming full-length record at Chango Studios (Of Machines, I See Stars, Sleeping with Sirens, etc.) in Orlando, Florida.
On March 3, 2011, a full album teaser for their sophomore album The Hollow was released via Rise Records YouTube page, including its release date of April 26, 2011. On March 22, a full song from The Hollow, titled "The Sinner", was released to Rise Records YouTube page and on iTunes. On April 23, the entire album was released on the Rise Records YouTube page.
On September 15th, the video for the lead single from The Hollow, "The Sinner", directed by Thunder Down Country was released on YouTube.
On February 15th, 2012, a live music video recorded in Orlando Florida for the song titled "The Unfaithful" was released on their YouTube Page.
On February 11th it was announced by Kellen McGregor that the band will be working with Cameron Mizell shortly again, to record their third studio album, Challenger. The album was released June 26th, 2012 through Rise Records while the band is on Warped Tour. On April 11th around midnight, Ryan Bentley announced he has parted ways with the band in a tweet saying "I'm no longer in Memphis May Fire. Details later." On April 17th, the band announced that Anthony Sepe (ex-Decoder) would be replacing Ryan Bentley as their new guitarist:
"For those who may not know already, we recently decided to part ways with our guitarist, Ryan Bentley, and wish him nothing but the best. He's a talented individual and we have no doubt that he will be successful no matter where life leads him. With that said, we'd like all of you to give a warm welcome to our new guitarist Anthony Sepe."
On March 25, 2014, their album Unconditional was released. On October 28, 2016, the band released the album This Light I Hold and on November 16, 2018, the album Broken was released, these last three all through Rise Records.
Current members:
Kellen McGregor – lead guitar, backing vocals, programming, keyboard (2006–present), lead vocals (2006)
Matty Mullins – lead vocals (2008–present)
Cory Elder – bass (2008–present)
Jake Garland – drums, percussion (2010–present)
Touring:
Samuel Penner – rhythm guitar (2017–present)
Former members:
Tanner Oakes – bass (2006–2007)
Ryan Dooley – drums (2006–2007)
Chase Ryan Robbins – lead vocals (2006–2008)
Jeremy Grisham – drums (2007–2008)
Austin Radford – bass (2007–2008)
Daniel De Los Santos – bass (2008)
Joel Seier – rhythm guitar (2009–2010)
Eric Molesworth – drums (2008–2010)
Ryan Bentley – rhythm guitar (2006–2009, 2010–2012)
Anthony Sepe – rhythm guitar (2012–2017)
Quantity Is Their Quality
Memphis May Fire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
God forgive me for putting such words together
Undone you're no different than all the rest
a life full of greed with no heart in your chest
Full to your throats you cry out STARVATION!
Oh what a joke and waste of creation
You are the only one to blame for all the choices you made
I'll lower your body down into an open grave
and let the vultures have their way with you
We'll take you by surprise and spill your blood like wine
Scarlet stains upon the flesh will end the night
Rest your head and soon you will find
beauty is young and will die in time
When I look out my window
I see a nation filled with disgrace
all the thieves and the liars
and you're there with a smirk on you're face
Everything you say rings hallow
but you will tell your stories again and again
Sell your half truths with a smile
Take and inject it, inject it!
You think we don't know a thing
But I can see straight through you
You think that we believe everything that you say
My God, things aren't looking good
Now the tables have turned
and you see this, you see this
for what it really is
Now the tables have turned
and you see this, you see this
It all seems so out of place
We think that we're safe right here
and let you mismanage it all
For once now i see it so clear
Don't even try to run because
you will find that we are not blind
and we're not amused
So that this is just the way that it goes
but everyone knows
(Looks like you got it all figured out
Brave from a distance for everyone to marvel
and applaud at the sound
These lines were drawn for your days on end
so get out of focus and blend in
Failure is what you've become
You're a failure, Failure!)
Rest your head and soon you will find
Beauty is young and will die in time
Rest your head and soon you will find
Beauty is young and will die in time
Rest your head
and soon you will find that beauty, or rather the false idea of what beauty is (wealth, power, status), is fleeting and temporary. The song "Quantity Is Their Quality" by Memphis May Fire is a criticism of a society that values material goods and status over morality, integrity, and compassion. The lyrics condemn the "American Gentlemen," a metaphor for the corrupt and self-serving individuals who exploit and oppress others for their own gain. The singer acknowledges that these people have "a life full of greed with no heart in [their] chest" and warns that they will face the consequences of their actions.
The song also highlights the irony of those who complain about "starvation" while they themselves contribute to the suffering of others through their selfish and unjust behaviors. The chorus line, "I'll lower your body down into an open grave and let the vultures have their way with you," suggests a symbolic death and punishment for those who perpetuate such injustices.
The final verse is a call to action, urging listeners to see through the deceit of those who hold power and to take a stand against them. The singer sees a nation "filled with disgrace" and calls out the "thieves and the liars" who mismanage everything for their own gain. The song ends with an assertion that failure is what these individuals will ultimately become.
Line by Line Meaning
I do not know the American Gentlemen
I am unfamiliar with those individuals who claim to embody American values and principles
God forgive me for putting such words together
I apologize for the harshness of my language, hoping to retract or soften the impact of my statement
Undone you're no different than all the rest
Once exposed or defeated, you have proven to be similar to all those who came before you
a life full of greed with no heart in your chest
You lead a selfish and unethical existence without any compassion or empathy towards others
Full to your throats you cry out STARVATION!
You complain excessively about lacking sustenance while actually possessing an abundance of resources and opportunities
Oh what a joke and waste of creation
Your behavior and attitude are a mockery of the potential and purpose for which you were created
You are the only one to blame for all the choices you made
Your decisions and actions have led you to your current situation, and you cannot evade responsibility for them
I'll lower your body down into an open grave
Metaphorically, I will defeat you and expose your flaws, causing you to face the consequences of your behavior
and let the vultures have their way with you
In the wake of your downfall, those who prey upon weakness and failure will surround and consume you
We'll take you by surprise and spill your blood like wine
We will confront you without forewarning and inflict severe damage upon you, as if pouring out a valued substance like wine
Scarlet stains upon the flesh will end the night
Your defeat and destruction will be represented by the visible marks of injury on your body, signaling the conclusion of your reign
Rest your head and soon you will find Beauty is young and will die in time
If you relax and relinquish your power, you will eventually realize that superficial beauty and attractiveness are fleeting and eventually fade away
When I look out my window I see a nation filled with disgrace
From my perspective, the country and its citizens are shameful, embarrassing, and unworthy of respect
all the thieves and the liars and you're there with a smirk on you're face
Among those who deceive and steal from others, you stand out by your arrogance and wealth, unconcerned about the impact of your actions
Everything you say rings hallow but you will tell your stories again and again
Despite your words lacking sincerity or depth, you will persist in telling your version of events and attempting to manipulate those around you
Sell your half truths with a smile Take and inject it, inject it!
You peddle your deceitful statements and manipulate people's emotions, encouraging them to accept your lies
You think we don't know a thing But I can see straight through you
You assume that we are ignorant or foolish, but in reality, I can clearly see your true motivations and intentions
You think that we believe everything that you say My God, things aren't looking good
You have such an inflated ego that you think we unquestioningly accept your words as truth, which is a grave danger to everyone involved
Now the tables have turned and you see this, you see this for what it really is
Your circumstances have reversed, and you finally realize the reality of the situation, no longer able to deceive yourself or others
It all seems so out of place We think that we're safe right here and let you mismanage it all For once now i see it so clear
The situation and leadership have become disordered and chaotic, and we have assumed a false sense of security and let you mismanage everything. Now, my vision is clear and unobstructed.
Don't even try to run because you will find that we are not blind and we're not amused
You may attempt to escape punishment or disguise your true self, but we are observant and unamused by your misdeeds and behavior.
So that this is just the way that it goes but everyone knows
Perhaps this outcome seems inevitable or expected, but either way, everyone is aware and taking note of what is happening.
Looks like you got it all figured out Brave from a distance for everyone to marvel and applaud at the sound
You act and speak in a confident and self-assured manner from a safe distance, hoping to receive praise and admiration from your audience.
These lines were drawn for your days on end so get out of focus and blend in Failure is what you've become You're a failure, Failure!
Predictable outcomes were destined for a long time, so stop trying to stand out or draw attention to yourself, because you are doomed to fail. You have already proven your incompetence and shortcomings.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind