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)
Unrest
Parkway Drive Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Still this world never seemed colder
Compromised a thousand times
To the will of malicious minds
Reality never hit so fucking hard
Crushed by endless desperation, endless surrender
Retrace the steps, retrace the steps
Retrace the steps, retrace the steps
What the fuck have I become?
Security - illusion for the weak
Refuge, sought in routine
Another gear in their fucking machine
See, you can win the rat race
But you're still
Nothing but a fucking rat
So seek that crown
'Cause in this kingdom of fools
True ignorance reigns supreme
I see this city for what it is
Retrace the steps, retrace the steps
A monument to the depths of human misery
Retrace the steps, retrace the steps
What have we become?
Parkway Drive's song "Unrest" captures the feeling of disillusionment and despair that can come from living in a society that is controlled by powerful and malicious forces. The opening lines speak to the sense of repetition and frustration that can come from feeling stuck in a system that seems rigged against you. The singer has "walked these streets a thousand times," but despite this familiarity, the world around them "never seemed colder." They have compromised "a thousand times" to try and fit into society, but they have always had to bend to the will of those who are more powerful and ruthless.
The chorus of "Retrace the steps, retrace the steps / Is this what I have become?" suggests a sense of futility and regret. The singer is wondering if they have lost their way and become something they never wanted to be. The verses go on to critique the ways in which society tries to offer security and refuge in the form of routines and a sense of order, but ultimately these are just illusions that keep people trapped in a cycle of submission to those in power.
The line "See, you can win the rat race / But you're still / Nothing but a fucking rat" is particularly powerful, as it points out the way in which the very systems that are supposed to offer opportunities for success also reduce individuals to mere commodities or resources to be exploited. The final lines of the song, "What have we become?" are a haunting and urgent call to action, challenging listeners to examine their own role in perpetuating systems of oppression and to work towards creating a more just and equitable society.
Line by Line Meaning
I've walked these streets a thousand times
The singer has been in this place many times before.
Still this world never seemed colder
Despite familiarity, the singer feels an eerie detachment.
Compromised a thousand times
The singer has made sacrifices in the past to achieve something.
To the will of malicious minds
The artist has been influenced by manipulative individuals who seek to do harm.
Reality never hit so fucking hard
The gravity of the situation has never been so intense.
Crushed by endless desperation, endless surrender
The singer feels overwhelmed by hopelessness and a lack of control.
Retrace the steps, retrace the steps
The singer is revisiting their past actions and choices.
Is this what I have become?
The artist is questioning their current identity.
Security - illusion for the weak
The concept of safety is a false idea for those who are easily manipulated.
Refuge, sought in routine
The artist seeks comfort in familiar patterns of behavior.
Another gear in their fucking machine
The singer feels like just another cog in a larger, oppressive system.
See, you can win the rat race
It is possible to succeed in a cruel and competitive environment.
But you're still
However, the outcome is still unfulfilling.
Nothing but a fucking rat
Achievement in such a system is meaningless and dehumanizing.
So seek that crown
Despite recognizing the futility of the system, the singer encourages others to pursue it.
'Cause in this kingdom of fools
The system favors those who lack critical thinking skills.
True ignorance reigns supreme
Ignorance and willful blindness are the norm.
I see this city for what it is
The singer has gained insight into the reality of their surroundings.
A monument to the depths of human misery
The city is a manifestation of human suffering and despair.
What have we become?
The artist reflects on humanity's current state, which is defined by oppression and meaninglessness.
Contributed by Isaac J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ivankostadinov5924
I've walked these streets a thousand times
Still this world never seemed colder
Compromised a thousand times to the will of malicious minds
Reality never hit so fucking hard
Crushed by endless desperation, endless surrender
Retrace the steps, retrace the steps
Is this what I have become?
Retrace the steps, retrace the steps
What the fuck have I become?
Security, illusion for the weak
Refuge, sought in routine
Another gear in their fucking machine
See, you can win the rat race
But you're still nothing but a fucking rat
So seek that crown
Because in this kingdom of fools true ignorance reigns supreme
I see this city for what it is
Retrace the steps, retrace the steps
A monument to the depths of human misery
Retrace the steps
What have we become?
@vader97100
Parkway Drive
August Burns Red
Of Mice & Men
The Devil Wears Prada
Memphis May Fire
We Came As Romans
Asking Alexandria
Bring Me the Horizon
Motionless In White
The Color Morale
I See Stars
Beartooth
Miss May I
...this list goes on! Lot of metal core bands out there.
@630171official
Deep Blue had such an unique energy, hands down one of the best Metalcore albums of its era
@ButteryAndBubbly
This whole song is a breakdown
@crowing3886
ButteryandBubbly hardly
@andrewz58
Its fucking gr8
@jjsantora75
So dope
@Naccio1986
This entire album is a breakdown
@user-im5tk5te5c
"This whole songs uh breakdown"
Blah blah blah .
@zachward777
This is the best album by parkway hands down.
@MrBlueeyes247
fuck yeah dude every single song goes so hard
@mastodonrock96
fo sho