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)
Sleepwalking
Memphis May Fire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The phone calls and assurances all for nothing (but looking good)
Every time the truth comes out its pushed away and pushed aside
But I won't stand and watch it all
It all go unsaid
How many times will I fall victim to this It's normal by now
No one helps each other up we push one another back down
And the apathy they have
I hope one day they lose it all for the choices they made
Out in the open there's the air of brotherhood
And spoken truth yet everyone knows what goes on behind these closed doors
Do tell no one cares about the heart no one cares about the past
I've seen the way we treat each other
So keep smiling through your teeth
Don't ever tell me you're telling the truth
Don't ever think you can speak my name
When did we stray from what we stand for
When did it all mean nothing to you
It's hard to find honest mind in this city
And I keep hoping someone will speak up
It's hard to find honest mind in this city
And I keep hoping hoping someone will speak up
I've seen how all of this ends
And I promise It's worth whoever it offends
What happened to what we believed in
And I have seen how all of this ends
Sleepwalking our way to contentment
I wont just let it be and let you smile through your teeth
You call yourself human
So say it straight to me
We're sleepwalking all the way to contentment
When will somebody speak up
We're sleepwalking all the way to contentment
When will somebody speak up speak up
Don't ever tell me you're telling the truth
And don't ever think don't ever think
And don't ever think you can speak my name
The song "Sleepwalking" by Memphis May Fire speaks to the idea of apathy and complacency within society, particularly in the city. The lyrics describe a situation where lies and secrets are hidden within the streets and closed doors, and where the truth is ignored and pushed aside. The singer expresses frustration and disappointment with the lack of honesty and accountability, and calls for someone to speak up and take action.
The line "No one helps each other up we push one another back down" suggests a sense of competition and selfishness within the community, where people are more concerned with their own success than helping others. The repeated phrase "keep smiling through your teeth" implies that people are hiding their true feelings and intentions behind a facade of friendliness and politeness.
The chorus urges for someone to speak up and break the cycle of sleepwalking towards contentment, which is a metaphor for settling for a mediocre and unfulfilling life. The singer highlights the importance of honesty and accountability, and challenges others to speak up and take action for what they believe in.
In summary, "Sleepwalking" by Memphis May Fire is a commentary on the societal issues of apathy, complacency, and lack of accountability, and encourages individuals to break the cycle and take action for what they believe in.
Line by Line Meaning
The city hides the secrets of the liars in the streets
There are people in the city who lie and deceive, and their secrets are kept hidden
The phone calls and assurances all for nothing (but looking good)
When people make promises and offer assurances, it's all just for show and doesn't amount to anything real
Every time the truth comes out its pushed away and pushed aside
Whenever the truth is revealed, it's ignored and not given any attention or importance
But I won't stand and watch it all
The artist is unwilling to just passively observe and do nothing about these issues
It all go unsaid
The problems in the city continue to persist without being acknowledged or addressed
How many times will I fall victim to this It's normal by now
The singer has experienced these things so many times that it has become normalized to them
No one helps each other up we push one another back down
Instead of working together and supporting each other, people in the city tear each other down and are self-interested
It's sad to see these people
The artist feels sympathy for the people in the city who behave this way
And the apathy they have
The people in the city lack concern or interest in the issues and problems around them
I hope one day they lose it all for the choices they made
The artist hopes that the people in the city will face consequences for their actions and choices
Out in the open there's the air of brotherhood
There is a sense of unity and camaraderie among some people, but it's not genuine
And spoken truth yet everyone knows what goes on behind these closed doors
People pretend to be truthful and upfront, but in reality, there are secret and shady dealings happening
Do tell no one cares about the heart no one cares about the past
People are not empathetic or considerate of each other's emotions or backgrounds
I've seen the way we treat each other
The singer has observed firsthand the negative way people in the city interact with each other
So keep smiling through your teeth
People put on a facade and pretend to be friendly and happy, but it's insincere
Don't ever tell me you're telling the truth
The artist is suspicious of people's claims of honesty and transparency
Don't ever think you can speak my name
The artist does not want to be associated with or involved in the dishonesty and deceit in the city
When did we stray from what we stand for
The singer is questioning when the city lost sight of its values and principles
When did it all mean nothing to you
The singer is asking how people in the city became so complacent and apathetic to the problems around them
It's hard to find honest mind in this city
Genuine and truthful people are rare in the city
And I keep hoping someone will speak up
The artist is optimistic that someone will eventually voice their concerns and try to make a change
I've seen how all of this ends
The artist knows how the current situation in the city will ultimately play out
And I promise It's worth whoever it offends
The singer is willing to speak out and offend those who are responsible for the problems in the city
What happened to what we believed in
The artist is reflecting on how the city deviated from its original beliefs and values
We're sleepwalking all the way to contentment
People in the city are complacent and apathetic, and just going through the motions without really living or making a difference
When will somebody speak up
The singer is asking when someone will finally take a stand and take action
Don't ever tell me you're telling the truth
The singer is reiterating their distrust of people who claim to be truthful
And don't ever think don't ever think
The artist is emphasizing that people should not deceive themselves or others
And don't ever think you can speak my name
The artist does not want to be associated with or involved in the dishonesty and deceit in the city
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind