Modern Life Is War 7-inch EP was released through Lifeline Records in early 2002. Their two subsequent studio albums, 2003's My Love. My Way. and 2005's Witness are now available through the Deathwish Inc. record label, which is owned and operated by Converge singer Jacob Bannon.
In mid-2005, after the release of Witness, guitarist Matt Hoffman and bassist Chris Honeck left the band. They were replaced by Sjarm 13 and Tim Churchman, respectively. On February 9, 2007, M.L.I.W. announced that they had inked a record deal with Equal Vision Records. The band's third full length album, Midnight in America, was released on August 21, 2007 to positive reviews.
On February 19, 2008, the band announced on their Myspace page that they would be breaking up, and that they were planning one final American tour, starting March 29 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and reconvening on April 26 in the band's hometown of Marshalltown. In a separate interview conducted several weeks before the tour, the band members discussed their hopes and achievements in playing together for the last six years: "I hope that we have made some people feel less alone. I hope we have motivated people to think for themselves; to be themselves and to take action. Punk rock changed our lives, and I hope that we as a band contributed something to keep the whole thing going. We are leaving soon, but the future is unwritten..."
In September 2012, the original lineup reunited and wrote an album in John Eich's basement. Modern Life is War formally announced its reunion in April 2013 and the intent to record and release the new album through Deathwish by September 2013. The band didn't expect to heavily tour during the reunion; as of April 2013, Modern Life Is War were only booked to headline This Is Hardcore Festival and a record release show. Retrospectively, Modern Life is War wished they hadn't broken up, but instead scaled back their efforts so they could do it, "without so much stress and life crushing commitment." The band released their fourth studio album Fever Hunting on September 9, 2013 through Deathwish, which was produced by Kurt Ballou of Converge. Modern Life is War embarked on a six-date tour in celebration of the new album in October 2013.
Jeffrey Eaton - Vocals
John Paul Eich - Guitar
Matt Hoffman - Guitar
Chris Honeck - Bass
Tyler Oleson - Drums
Screaming At The Moon
Modern Life Is War Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I'm a kid with a history of confusion.
The life that was pushed upon me
was one I could never lead.
Cause my candle burns at both ends.
My problems never seem to end.
Just like my footsteps in the vein of the American night.
Just like the burning in my lungs.
Just like I can't get enough.
With persistence of my vision.
With this bottle in my hand.
I bless the thieves who stole my masks.
I wander this land and through it all...
I drag my chains, they don't drag me...
through moments of pain.
I drag my chains, they don't drag me...
through moments of grace.
I drag my chains, they don't drag me...
through untamed thoughts.
I drag my chains, they don't drag me.
I walk right through.
Cause my candle burns at both ends.
My problems never seem to end.
Just like my footsteps in the veins of the American night.
Just like fire in my lungs.
Just like the burning in my guts.
Just like I can't get enough.
Only the madman is wise in a world of cold logical minds.
I seed no shelter.
I emerge unscathed.
As propaganda rains down even harder
I become that much stronger.
I walk right through.
The first line of the chorus, "It's a good life if you don't weaken," is taken from a quote by George Bernard Shaw. The lyric is often interpreted as a call to persist through challenges and persevere despite adversity. The following lines speak to the singer’s personal struggles with confusion and the expectation to conform to a certain way of life that they can’t fulfill. The imagery of the candle burning at both ends is used to convey the exhaustion and constant pressure this person feels.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of tension between the singer’s internal struggles and the external pressures they face. Lines like “Just like the rocks in my guts” and “Just like fire in my lungs” suggest physical pain and discomfort, perhaps from anxiety or stress. However, the repeated refrain of “I drag my chains, they don’t drag me” is a source of strength. It suggests that the singer is in control, despite their struggles. They are actively pushing forward and refusing to succumb to those struggles.
The final lines, “I seed no shelter. I emerge unscathed. As propaganda rains down even harder / I become that much stronger. I walk right through,” are a powerful assertion of the singer’s resilience. They refuse to be defeated, even in the face of overwhelming external forces. The closing line, “I walk right through,” suggests a sense of determination and purpose. Despite the difficulties faced, the singer is moving forward.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a good life if you don't weaken
I refuse to give up no matter what challenges come my way, because things are only good if I remain strong.
And I'm a kid with a history of confusion.
I struggle with understanding my past and how it has shaped me into who I am now.
The life that was pushed upon me
was one I could never lead.
I was forced into a certain type of life that I never wanted or could fulfill.
Cause my candle burns at both ends.
I give my all to everything I do, until nothing is left.
My problems never seem to end.
I constantly face difficulties and challenges that never seem to let up.
Just like my footsteps in the vein of the American night.
My struggles are a reflection of the restless nature of American society.
Just like the burning in my lungs.
The pressure and stress of life weighs heavily on me, causing me physical pain.
Just like the rocks in my guts.
I carry the weight of my anxiety and fear with me at all times, like a burden in my stomach.
Just like I can't get enough.
No matter how much I try, I feel like I can never escape or overcome the challenges I face.
With persistence of my vision.
I stay focused on my goals and dreams, even when it feels like an uphill battle.
With this bottle in my hand.
I find comfort and a release from my problems in drinking.
I bless the thieves who stole my masks.
I am grateful to those who have exposed my vulnerabilities and helped me see the truth.
I wander this land and through it all...
I am constantly searching for answers and meaning, even when faced with obstacles.
I drag my chains, they don't drag me...
Despite the difficulties I face, I remain in control and refuse to let life defeat me.
through moments of pain.
Even in moments of suffering and pain, I remain determined and focused.
through moments of grace.
There are moments of beauty and peace that I cherish and hold onto in the midst of chaos.
through untamed thoughts.
I am haunted by my own thoughts and fears, but refuse to let them control me.
I walk right through.
I face my problems head-on and continue to persevere no matter what.
Only the madman is wise in a world of cold logical minds.
In a society that values rationality and pragmatism over emotion, only those who are seen as irrational or crazy can truly understand the depth of human experience.
I seed no shelter.
I do not seek out protection or comfort from the world, but face it on my own terms.
I emerge unscathed.
Despite all of the challenges and hardships I face, I remain resilient and strong.
As propaganda rains down even harder
I become that much stronger.
In the face of societal pressure and influence, I become more empowered and determined to be my own person.
I walk right through.
I continue to face the world with strength and determination, refusing to let anything stand in my way.
Contributed by Ian P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.