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)
Wreckage
Parkway Drive Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The child of a loveless world
The wreckage left in the wake of time
I am the consequence of complete collapse
I am the horror you created
The mind fuck you instigated
I am the seed of self-destruction
Flood my lungs
Pull my teeth
Cross my eyes
Until there's nothing left
There's nothing left
There's nothing left
Casualties to the snares of modern life
Anchored by avarice
There is no further
Left to sink
I reside in my mind's eye
Yet see no truth
In a world of lies
I reside in my mind's eye
We are adrift
In a world of lies
Flood my lungs
Pull my teeth
Cross my eyes
Until there's nothing left
I am the blackest soul
The child of a loveless world
I am the consequence
Of complete collapse
Collapse
Collapse
I am the blackest soul
I am the blackest soul
I am the blackest soul
I am the blackest soul
The lyrics of Parkway Drive's "Wreckage" describe a character who sees themselves as a product of the chaotic, loveless world they live in. The singer identifies as a soul that is completely black and corrupt, a result of the destruction and collapse of life around them. They speak of being the "consequence of complete collapse," suggesting that their existence is a direct result of the hardship and pain experienced in life. The lyrics also suggest that the singer has been directly affected by the mind games and deceit of the society they live in, leading to feelings of self-destructiveness and regret.
The chorus of "Flood my lungs, Pull my teeth, Cross my eyes, Until there's nothing left" provides a brutal image of complete bodily destruction that serves as a metaphor for the emotional and psychological destruction experienced by the singer. The second verse speaks of the characters being "adrift in a world of lies," which suggests that they are struggling to find meaning and truth in their lives due to the constant state of deception and dishonesty surrounding them. Overall, "Wreckage" is a powerful and dark statement on the negative impact of the modern world on the human psyche.
Line by Line Meaning
I am the blackest soul
I am a deeply troubled person
The child of a loveless world
I grew up in a world devoid of affection
The wreckage left in the wake of time
I am the remnants of past experiences, both good and bad
I am the consequence of complete collapse
I am the result of complete failure
I am the horror you created
You have caused me immense suffering
The mind fuck you instigated
You have messed with my mind in a profound way
I am the seed of self-destruction
I am the source of my own downfall
The bitter taste of life's regret
I feel deep sorrow and remorse for things I have done in the past
Flood my lungs
I feel overwhelmed and suffocated by my emotions
Pull my teeth
I want to get rid of things that cause me pain
Cross my eyes
I am disoriented and confused
Until there's nothing left
Until I am completely depleted
Casualties to the snares of modern life
People are getting caught up in the negative aspects of modern society
Anchored by avarice
People are being held back by their greed
There is no further
There is nowhere else to go
Left to sink
Left to drown in our own problems
I reside in my mind's eye
I am often lost in thought and reflection
Yet see no truth
Despite searching, I cannot find answers
In a world of lies
This world is full of deception and falsehoods
We are adrift
We are lost and aimless
Contributed by Alexis H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jonnymingo8386
I am the blackest soul
The child of a loveless world
The wreckage left in the wake of time
I am the consequence of complete collapse
I am the horror you created
The mind fuck you instigated
I am the seed of self-destruction
The bitter taste of life's regret
Flood my lungs
Pull my teeth
Cross my eyes
Until there's nothing left
There's nothing left
There's nothing left
Casualties to the snares of modern life
Anchored by avarice
There is no further
Left to sink
I reside in my mind's eye
Yet see no truth
In a world of lies
I reside in my mind's eye
We are adrift
In a world of lies
Flood my lungs
Pull my teeth
Cross my eyes
Until there's nothing left
I am the blackest soul
The child of a loveless world
I am the consequence
Of complete collapse
Collapse
Collapse
I am the blackest soul
I am the blackest soul
I am the blackest soul
I am the blackest soul
@wadekuklinsky2475
This song deserves more love
@angelofwar9223
Agreed
@FerdinandvonAegir
Definitely. This was the song that got me into Parkway Drive to begin with.
@somerandomdave1228
Yeah, this is in my opinion one of their best songs
@CB-rv2lj
@@FerdinandvonAegir carrion for me. And romance is dead. I remember blasting that shit and screaming so cry my a fuckin river bitch with a couple scene chicks in the car. Yeah good times.
@madissonowens3363
I can NEVER choose a favorite song lol. But EVER SINGLE SONG OF THEIRS IS 🔥!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@chrismonyer6112
Amazing band! Very good voice, speed, and movement during live performances
@matthewsmith5886
The song that introduced me to Parkway!
@8393Robertrex
It was smoke em if you got em for me lol grew up with me nicely from there, its why i love them so much
@coreyspotts8468
Yo smoke em if you got em for me too 🤣 at least the first video music video I watched and heard... My dude showed me one of they're albums in 2006 when I was in 8th grade, and we became friends over swapping good metal band albums to barrow and burn copies off instead of using Napster, FrostWire or limewire for 6-48hrs to download the album track by track, then wait for a it to have a 68% chance of putting it on a burn disc 😂