Nevertheless, the band played on. They only missed one show two days later, and only because, due to the medication Geoff was on, He had completely lost control of his diabetes and was admitted to yet another ER, this time in critical condition. He played the next few shows looking like I was turning into a werewolf because the swelling was so bad. There were two more clinic visits for swelling and an infection. After about eight days He started looking normal again, although it's still extremely sensitive today.
There's nothing normal about On The Last Day's stunning debut album: Meaning In The Static, where the quintet displays a remarkable ability to create fierce, challenging music. with it. "Every song on the recordis some form of therapy for me", Walker admits. "They aren't always happy because sometimes I need to just get my most terrible thoughts on
paper." That he does in often graphic detail, as the raw passion and pain in his lyrics are reinforced by the slashing guitar work of Justin Johnson and Frank Gross and a non-stop propulsive rhythm section of
bassist Aaron Johnson and drummer Drew Dowell. Together, On The Last Day packs a monumental wallop that will resonate in hearts and minds of hardcore rock fans the world over.
The title song, the first track to assault radio, typifies the band's search for truth through loss and confusion. "We had a concept for the record that got a little lost in the process", Walker explains. This
song is one of the surviving themes; it's about searching blindly for meaning where there maybe isn't any. It's about being terrified of nothingness at the end, and looking for an escape. There's no escape
any of the raw edges in any of the songs, which often details real-life events. Twelve CCs painstakingly details Geoffrey's hospital ordeal with diabetes; Missing Frames (Changover) flashes back to the band's van accident, and A Welcome Haunting recalls the drunk-driving death of two of Geoff's friends when he was 16. "I had a lot of trouble dealing with it for a long time", he asserts. "I had a dream where I was able to talk to them and apologize for what I felt like I could have done to help them. It was therapy. It was a welcome haunting".
It was a welcome happenstance that brought them all together. Dowell and brothers Justin and Aaron Johnson had known each other since grade school, before forming a band in high school. At around the same time they cut the original lead singer loose, Geoff Walker had moved from Vermont to Seattle, looking for a bigger and better music scene. They crossed paths in 2003, and it took only two practices before they knew they should work together. That was the official birth of On The Last Day, although second guitarist Frank Gross joined a year later. The band name came from a song we did close to our inception, Walker notes. "We liked it as a name because, much like our lyrics, it's very ambiguous. It leaves a lot open to interpretation. There are a lot of last days in our lives and they can mean a lot of different things".
Before long, they were veterans on the Seattle club scene, playing shows with the likes of Atreyu and Deftones. But their favorite peers on the local circuit happened to be their oldest friends, fellow Seattle band Aiden. "They were the first band we played with that fit what we were doing",Walker says. "And they felt the same way about us. It seemed that we played every show together for about six months, so when they signed to Victory , we didn't feel jealous at all, we were happy for them".
Aiden's Will Francis tried to return the favor by setting On The Last Day up with
talent scouts from a variety of labels, but as fate would have it, Victory picked them up as well. So it seemed only natural for On The Last Day to use their Aiden connection to find the producer for their debut album. "We actually met Steve Carter through Will", Walker recalls. "He basically put a word in with Steve, gave me his number and we started talking. He is really like a sixth member of our band, with a third-party perspective. He's a very hands-on producer and he pushes us really hard. The guy has a great ear for rock and really just helps us do what we do
better. We couldn't ask for anything more".
Once Hardcore Rock fans get an earful of the passion and the fury of Meaning In the Static, they won't be asking for anything less.
Don't Look Down
On The Last Day Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lies in the hearts of all who fail to show.
The slightest bit of what I've learned,
You'll hold my hand I'll pull you down!
I've lost it now, the sinner burns.
Take a look at all the beauty they have come to show.
Don't look down if you can hear the sound.
We've come so far this time.
Don't look down if you can hear the sound.
We'll celebrate goodbyes.
We've come so far this time.
Guarantee we're choking back our tears.
It guarantees their aware of our fears.
We're living far too long!
Don't hold my hand I'll pull you down.
Our hearts are scorched this time!
My heart is torn up.
Take a look at all the beauty they have come to show.
(Don't look down) don't look down if you can hear the sound (hear the sound)
We'll celebrate goodbyes.
We've come so far this time.
(Don't look down) don't look down if you can hear the sound (hear the sound)
We'll celebrate goodbyes.
We've come so far this time.
We failed to show,
You failed to grow.
We failed to pull through with all that you've done.
The fear of knowing,
True colors showing.
The fear of knowing,
True colors showing.
I've found my true color.
The story of my life.
The earth is growing still.
The strong admitted out.
I never thought I'd see this day.
They hear the qauying in the sky.
While the purpose it has died.
When this darkness unfurles,
It takes to the world.
Take a look at all the beauty they have come to show.
(Don't look down) don't look down if you can hear the sound (hear the sound)
We'll celebrate goodbyes.
We've come so far this time.
(Don't look down) don't look down if you can hear the sound (hear the sound)
We'll celebrate goodbyes.
We've come so far this time.
We failed to pull through with all that you've done.
The lyrics to On The Last Day's song Don't Look Down express regret and despair over missed opportunities and failures. The singer is desperately seeking answers and learning from mistakes, but feels like their efforts have been in vain. The first verse speaks of the importance of honesty and sharing one's experiences with others. Failure to do so can lead to isolation and an inability to connect with others. The second verse speaks of the fear of showing one's true colors and the overwhelming emotions that come with it. The chorus encourages listeners not to give up or focus on negativity, but instead to celebrate the progress that has been made despite the challenges faced. The phrase "don't look down" could also be interpreted as a call to remain hopeful and look to the future, even when things seem bleak.
Overall, the song's lyrics convey a sense of inner turmoil and intense emotions that are difficult to express. The singer is struggling to come to terms with their own shortcomings and the weight of the world around them. However, there is also a sense of resilience and determination to keep pushing forward despite the struggles. The final line about failing to pull through with all that has been done could suggest a feeling of being overwhelmed or unprepared for the challenges ahead.
Line by Line Meaning
Who knew the answer? I'm dying to know.
The answer to life's mysteries lies in the hearts of those willing to show it, but I am left to die without ever fully understanding it.
Lies in the hearts of all who fail to show.
The answers we seek are hidden within us, but are lost to those who are afraid to reveal themselves.
The slightest bit of what I've learned,
What little knowledge I possess is not enough to make a difference.
You'll hold my hand I'll pull you down!
Do not trust me, for my failures will lead to your downfall.
I've lost it now, the sinner burns.
I have strayed from what I once held dear and am now consumed by guilt and punishment.
Take a look at all the beauty they have come to show.
Observe and appreciate the wonders the world has created before they fade away.
(Don't look down) don't look down if you can hear the sound (hear the sound)
Do not give in to despair even when it surrounds you, focus on the sounds of hope and joy.
We'll celebrate goodbyes.
We'll honor those who have left us with fond memories and wish them well on their journey.
We've come so far this time.
Despite the hardships we've faced, we've made it this far and should be proud of our accomplishments.
Guarantee we're choking back our tears.
We try to hide our emotions, but the pain we feel is overwhelming.
It guarantees their aware of our fears.
Our attempts to conceal our worries only makes them more evident to others.
We're living far too long!
Life seems endless and we feel trapped in our struggles.
Don't hold my hand I'll pull you down.
I am not strong enough to lift others up, in fact, my troubles may drag you under too.
Our hearts are scorched this time!
Our spirits are damaged and we don't know if we'll ever heal.
My heart is torn up.
My emotional state is in disarray and I'm not sure how to mend it.
We failed to show, You failed to grow.
We didn't demonstrate the guidance needed for growth, leading to stagnation.
The fear of knowing, True colors showing.
Knowing the truth about ourselves is scary, but it reveals our genuine character.
I've found my true color.
I've discovered my authentic self, which may be different from what others expect.
The story of my life.
My existence is a journey with ups and downs, joy and pain, and everything in between.
The earth is growing still.
Life continues to move forward even when we feel stuck.
The strong admitted out.
Even the most powerful people must face their vulnerabilities and admit their weaknesses.
I never thought I'd see this day.
I never expected to reach this point in my life with all its twists and turns, but here I am.
They hear the quaying in the sky.
There are signs in the heavens that indicate something significant is happening.
While the purpose it has died.
The reason for certain events or individuals in our life may no longer be clear or apparent.
When this darkness unfurls, It takes to the world.
When negativity spreads, it affects everyone and everything around it.
Contributed by Mila W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Erik Littlebigg
Great comment!!
I totally agree and understand what you said bout your getting well and people/family etc ain't caught up, wont acknowledge that you changed, that you a better man now.... You worked hard to get back on your feet again...
In my case....
These people still aint working on their OWN mental hang-ups, they lookin to cause you pain..
(and thats some cold shit)
I just act like i Dont ever think about them....
And make sure i have a smile on my face when they see me....
90% of the time, they mad cause we're smiling...and they have a nasty look on their face... (Never a smile and kind word!!)
Fuck Em.
Dont lose any sleep on their account...
Tell Em to get some mental health treatment!!! LOL
Peace.
Tom MacDonald
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