The ban… Read Full Bio ↴Parkway Drive is a metalcore band from Byron Bay, Australia.
The band formed in the summer of 2003, their name coming from the street they used to practice on in their home town of Byron Bay, Australia. Not long after they had formed, they released a split EP with Adelaide band I Killed The Prom Queen. Later that year, the band also made an appearance on the Byron Bay Hardcore compilation What We've Built, preceded by their debut EP, Don't Close Your Eyes.
In May 2005 the PwD headed to the USA to record their debut album with renowned metal producer, Killswitch Engage guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz (who is responsible for acclaimed releases from the likes of Unearth, August Burns Red, Underoath and Johnny Truant.)
Since the release of Don't Close Your Eyes, Parkway Drive have rapidly accumulated a loyal fanbase Australia-wide, courtesy of support slots for international acts including Hatebreed, In Flames, Chimaira, Shadows Fall, As I Lay Dying, Bleeding Through, Alexisonfire, and performances at Metal for The Brain 2005 and Australia's Hardcore 2005. They have built quite a strong reputation within the music industry, this led to their signing with Epitaph record label.
In June 2006 they released Killing With a Smile in the United States during August of that year.
In late May 2006, second bass player Shaun Cash left the band for personal reasons with the full support of the rest of the members. The band soon found a replacement in their "merch guy" and long-time friend, Jia "Pie" O'Connor. Now a permanent part of the line-up, he played with them for the rest of their first international tour in the United Kingdom, and Europe, and later dates in the United States.
In October 2006, they were billed as the Australian contingent on the Rockstar Taste of Chaos tour, playing alongside Anti-Flag, Underoath, Thursday, Senses Fail, Taking Back Sunday and Saosin. During November and December 2006, they appeared at the Homebake Festival, Sound Fest, Resist Records' tour, Soundwave Festival and Gravity G Festival before returning to the UK and Europe.
On 3 March 2007, a new song was previewed to a crowd at Underworld entitled "The Siren's Song". The song would later feature on Horizons. They were placed on the bill for the U.S. Vans Warped Tour 2007 as the only Australian band on the tour. On 15 August, Winston McCall appeared in an interview on the short.fast.loud show on Australia's Triple J Radio station in which he previewed a track off Horizons entitled "Boneyards".
Horizons was released on 6 October 2007. The album was generally acclaimed by critics and fans alike; especially Blunt Magazine, who wrote that the album 'simply slays from the get go' and awarded it 10/10, and planet-loud.com, which suggested that it would 'set the benchmark for metal albums to come'. It debuted at number 6 on the ARIA Charts. After the release of Horizons, the band toured through the US, Australia and Europe with such bands such as Killswitch Engage, Bury Your Dead, Darkest Hour and others.
In February/March 2008, Parkway teamed up with Byron Bay bands/friends 50 lions and Word Up!, to complete the Surf Rats Tour of east coast Australia. This tour (travelling to towns not listed on the standard touring circuit) was based around surfing big surf spots on the way.
On 12 December 2008 while performing at UNSW Roundhouse, Parkway Drive announced that they were filming a DVD of the show, which would include footage of the performance and a few songs from other bands featured in the Sweat Fest Tour. On 18 January 2009, Parkway Drive announced their headlining US tour with Stick to Your Guns and Mychildren Mybride. On 28 January to 1 February 2009, Parkway Drive went on a tour in Japan with Shai Hulud and Crystal Lake. Parkway Drive played at the 2009 Bamboozle Lineup at the Giant's Stadium parking lots; as well as being confirmed at 2009's Download Festival.
In May 2009, Parkway Drive announced that they would be releasing a live DVD and an Australian tour was also announced with August Burns Red and Architects in support of it. It was on this tour that the band performed a new song entitled "Unrest."
On 11 January 2022, the band announced a North American tour in May and June, supported by Hatebreed, The Black Dahlia Murder, and Stick to Your Guns. However, on 6 April, they announced the cancellation of the tour, stating that "the relentless nature of being in this band has given us very little time to reflect on who we are as individuals, who we want to be and the toll it is taking on ourselves and our friendships". On 23 May, it was announced that for their mental health, Parkway Drive would be taking a break from activity, but clarified that they "are here to stay".
On 7 June, following a series of teasers released on various social media, the band unveiled a brand new single entitled "Glitch" along with a music video. On 8 June, the band announced that their Fall 2022 European tour with Lorna Shore and While She Sleeps would continue as scheduled with a rebrand, and new music to accompany said tour. On 6 July, the band released the second single "The Greatest Fear" and its corresponding music video. At the same time, they officially announced that their seventh studio album, Darker Still, was set for release on 9 September 2022, whilst also revealing the album cover and the track list.
Discography:
Albums
- 2005 - Killing with a Smile (Resist Records, Epitaph Records)
- 2007 - Horizons (Resist Records, Burning Heart Records, Epitaph Records)
- 2010 - Deep Blue (Resist Records, Epitah Records, Burning Heart)
- 2012 - Atlas (Resist Records, Epitah Records, Burning Heart)
- 2015 - I.R.E.
- 2018 - Reverence
- 2022 - Darker Still
Other Releases:
- 2003 - Split EP with I Killed The Prom Queen
- 2004 - Don’t Close Your Eyes EP (Resist Records)
- 2006 - Don’t Close Your Eyes (Reissue) EP (Resist Records)
- n/a - “What We’ve Built” BBHC compilation
- 2006 - Smoke ‘Em If Ya Got ‘Em (Resist Records)
- 2007 - Boneyards (Resist Records)
- 2009 - Parkway Drive: The DVD
Members:
Current:
Winston McCall - Vocals (2003–present)
Jeff Ling - Lead guitar (2003–present)
Luke "Pig" Kilpatrick - Rhythm guitar (2003–present)
Ben "Gaz" Gordon - Drums (2003–present)
Jia "Pie" O'Connor - Bass (2006–present)
Former:
Shaun "Cashy" Cash - Bass (2004–2006)
Brett "Lagg" Versteeg - Bass & backing vocals (2003–2004)
Feed Them To The Pigs
Parkway Drive Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is worthless
Is there consequence?
This apathy is murderous
Hope is dead
Buried by regret
Alive for nothing
Is this the path we've chosen?
Our minds and our future left to rot
These lives are worth nothing
Our lives worth nothing
Fuck
As we watch our dreams
Turn into dust
On these cold streets
Beneath this hollow corpse of a life
Their world casts shadows
And it's eating us alive
We are the working dead
Haunted by the ghost of unanswered dreams
We are the flesh and the blood of a lost generation
The deceased and forgotten
The voiceless and consumed
We're buried and broken
And we're rising against you
So this is life (this is life)
And are we so worthless?
We've clawed our way back
They can't destroy this
Cause we've got nothing left to lose
These hate fuelled hearts keep burning
We push against the grain and we won't turn back
Armed to the teeth
Born from the shadows
Burning for revenge
We're burning for revenge
The song "Feed Them To The Pigs" by Parkway Drive is a rebellious and angry song about the meaningless and apathetic life that society seems to be living. The lyrics present a stark view of the world, where hope is dead, and the future seems bleak, and the only thing left is the burning desire for revenge. The song talks about how society has chosen to rot and let their mental and physical wellbeing be affected by this rot. With the apathetic behaviour of society, their dreams turn to dust, and they become the working dead, haunted by the ghost of unanswered dreams.
The lyrics also express that despite being buried and broken, society is rising against those who have consumed their voice and spirit. Parkway Drive is communicating that they will not stay down and will not turn their backs. They are rising against the concept of hopelessness and want the world to know that they have nothing to lose. They are ready to fight back against the system, which is the root of their troubles. The song incites rebellion and empowerment amongst the younger generation while highlighting the negative effects of modern-day society.
Line by Line Meaning
This is life
The current situation that we are facing is what we define as life
This is worthless
Our current state of life has no meaning or value to it
Is there consequence?
Is there any outcome or effect that's going to arise from our current situation
This apathy is murderous
The lack of interest or emotion towards the current situation is killing us
Hope is dead
There's no more possibility of improvement or betterment
Buried by regret
The sense of guilt or remorse for actions of the past has killed the hope
Alive for nothing
We are existing without any worthwhile purpose
And dying for even less
Our death will not have any effect or value, just like our life
Is this the path we've chosen?
Have we deliberately chosen this path for our lives
Our minds and our future left to rot
Our thoughts and hopes for the future are decaying and withering away
These lives are worth nothing
Our lives are of no importance or value to anyone
Our lives worth nothing
We ourselves do not value our own existence
Fuck
An expression of anger or frustration
As we watch our dreams
As we witness our desires and goals
Turn into dust
Disintegrating into nothingness
On these cold streets
On the deserted and uninviting roads
Beneath this hollow corpse of a life
Underneath the empty and meaningless existence we have
Their world casts shadows
The environment and society around us bring darkness along
And it's eating us alive
It's consuming and destroying us slowly and painfully
We are the working dead
We are the people with no life outside of work
Haunted by the ghost of unanswered dreams
Tortured by the desire for what we have not achieved
We are the flesh and the blood of a lost generation
We represent the lost and forgotten youth of our society
The deceased and forgotten
The people who have passed away or ignored by society
The voiceless and consumed
The ones with no say or influence who are eaten away by the system
We're buried and broken
We are lost and destroyed by the circumstances surrounding us
And we're rising against you
We plan to stand up and fight against the ones responsible
So this is life (this is life)
This is the harsh reality of our existence (repeated for emphasis)
And are we so worthless?
Questioning the self-worth and value of our own existence
We've clawed our way back
We've struggled to come out of our situation and worked hard to survive
They can't destroy this
Our spirit and resilience cannot be destroyed by anyone
Cause we've got nothing left to lose
We have already lost all, so there's nothing left to be taken away
These hate fuelled hearts keep burning
The anger and resentment that we hold within keeps us going
We push against the grain and we won't turn back
We are fighting against the system and refusing to back down
Armed to the teeth
Fully prepared and equipped for the fight
Born from the shadows
We originated from the dark corners of society
Burning for revenge
Driven by the will for retaliation
We're burning for revenge
We have intense resentment and are thirsting to take revenge
Contributed by Sophia M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@staz8485
This is life,
This is worthless,
Is There consequence.
This apathy is murderous.
Hope is dead,
Buried by regret,
Alive for nothing,
And dying for even less.
Is This the path we've chosen,
Our mind and our future left to rot.
These lives are worth nothing,
Our lives worth nothing,
Fuck.
As we watch our dreams turn into dust,
Into dust.
On these cold sheets,
Beneath this hollow corpse of a life.
Their world casts shadows,
And it's eating us alive.
We are the working dead,
Haunted by the ghosts of unanswered dreams
We are the flesh and the blood of a lost generation.
The deceased and forgotten,
The voiceless and consumed.
We're buried and broken,
And we're rising against you.
So this is life,
And are we so worthless?
We've clawed our way back,
They can't destroy this,
'cause we've got nothing left to lose.
These hate fuelled hearts keep burning,
We push against the grain,
And we won't turn back.
Armed to the teeth,
Born from the shadows,
Burning for revenge.
Revenge.
We're burning for revenge
@staz8485
This is life,
This is worthless,
Is There consequence.
This apathy is murderous.
Hope is dead,
Buried by regret,
Alive for nothing,
And dying for even less.
Is This the path we've chosen,
Our mind and our future left to rot.
These lives are worth nothing,
Our lives worth nothing,
Fuck.
As we watch our dreams turn into dust,
Into dust.
On these cold sheets,
Beneath this hollow corpse of a life.
Their world casts shadows,
And it's eating us alive.
We are the working dead,
Haunted by the ghosts of unanswered dreams
We are the flesh and the blood of a lost generation.
The deceased and forgotten,
The voiceless and consumed.
We're buried and broken,
And we're rising against you.
So this is life,
And are we so worthless?
We've clawed our way back,
They can't destroy this,
'cause we've got nothing left to lose.
These hate fuelled hearts keep burning,
We push against the grain,
And we won't turn back.
Armed to the teeth,
Born from the shadows,
Burning for revenge.
Revenge.
We're burning for revenge
@jamesclarke293
Saw them play this shit last night on a horizons throwback tour
Shit was H E A V Y
@mikesingh9428
Bad ass f**** song just saw on live in San Francisco with Killswitch Engage wish I would have got into them in the early years
@staz8485
This is life,
This is worthless,
Is There consequence.
This apathy is murderous.
Hope is dead,
Buried by regret,
Alive for nothing,
And dying for even less.
Is This the path we've chosen,
Our mind and our future left to rot.
These lives are worth nothing,
Our lives worth nothing,
Fuck.
As we watch our dreams turn into dust,
Into dust.
On these cold sheets,
Beneath this hollow corpse of a life.
Their world casts shadows,
And it's eating us alive.
We are the working dead,
Haunted by the ghosts of unanswered dreams
We are the flesh and the blood of a lost generation.
The deceased and forgotten,
The voiceless and consumed.
We're buried and broken,
And we're rising against you.
So this is life,
And are we so worthless?
We've clawed our way back,
They can't destroy this,
'cause we've got nothing left to lose.
These hate fuelled hearts keep burning,
We push against the grain,
And we won't turn back.
Armed to the teeth,
Born from the shadows,
Burning for revenge.
Revenge.
We're burning for revenge
@colinwendt9992
Giving this album a first listen thanks to all the comparisons made to Crystal Lake's Voyages. 0:30 sounds identical to the end of "Open Water."
@alexiluffy216
early Crystal Lake was parkway drive worship, and i don't even blame them because KWAS and Horizons are amazing metalcore albums!
@colinwendt9992
@Alexi Luffy I love it when bands borrow from each other!
@ILoveXXRussellcXX
Awesome!
@theunknown2111
fucking awesome!
@GetUpFalcon
Best breakdown I ever heard.
@Captain_Howdy
GetUpFalcon no way, Whitechapel - this is exile
Best breakdown ever!