The natural course of live performances soon ensued and the band began to build a small following. After playing music together for over 10 years, 3 record releases (1997's "your eyes have all the answers" 7 inch, 1998's "amateurs and professionals" CDEP, and 2001's "our first taste of escape" LP) and hundreds of live shows, in March of 2003 penfold decided to call it a day.
Their final show took place in Old Bridge, New Jersey at the M & M hall on March 22nd. They played 2 sets lovingly to an audience of old and new friends from all over the world. It was an incredible day for the four.
Following the band's break-up, three original members started a band called the moirai. They released an EP called "bury yourself" and disbanded soon afterward.
On November 12th, 2005, Penfold strolled into a friend’s basement in New Brunswick, New Jersey to play a secret impromptu show to a small unknowing audience (literally, most of the audience didn't know who they were). The band, still close friends, had decided to attempt a reunion but wanted to have a go at a test run to see if they could actually pull it off. The "Elf Pond" show was filmed, and can be experienced at http://elfpond.com/
In February of 2006 the band reformed to play a reunion show at the Hamilton Street Cafe in Boundbrook, New Jersey. Since then, the four members of penfold remain friends and comrades. They look forward to a time in the future when they will be able to play music together again.
For a full discography and up to date information, go to www.virb.com/penfoldmusic
Human Drama
Penfold Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can we burn each other's ideals to the ground
Can we blame the truth of human drama on ourselves
Are we breaking new ground, are we hearing the sound of our voices echoed as screams
Do these thoughts sting your skin like the sarcasm shot from our tongues, through our teeth
Why are we always aware of the power of gravity when we try to climb
Like the way we breathe, we always take forgranted the assistance it gives us when we descend
Heaven knows just how long we can crawl
How can we stand
We are the only answers and we're happy
The only answer is everyone
I want a choice
The only answer is everyone
The lyrics of Penfold's song "Human Drama" explore themes of identity, blame, and equality. The opening lines, "Are we the same / Can we burn each other's ideals to the ground," suggest a search for common ground and an acknowledgment of the ways in which we hurt each other through conflicting values and beliefs. The question of who is to blame for the "human drama" that results from these clashes is also posed, with the suggestion that we ourselves might be at fault.
This introspection is continued in the later lines where the vocalist urges us to consider our own voices and the way in which we use them, asking "Do these thoughts sting your skin like the sarcasm shot from our tongues, through our teeth?" The lyrics go on to reflect on our relationship with gravity, and how we grapple with its power whenever we try to rise above something. The final line, "The only answer is everyone," is a call for unity, but it also implies that we must all take responsibility for the problems we face.
Overall, the song's lyrics offer a thought-provoking reflection on the dynamics of human relationships, and the ways in which we can work to achieve mutual understanding and respect.
Line by Line Meaning
Are we the same
Do we share the same values and beliefs?
Can we burn each other's ideals to the ground
Are we able to completely destroy each other's strongly held beliefs and values?
Can we blame the truth of human drama on ourselves
Are we responsible for the conflicts that arise due to our own human nature?
Are we breaking new ground, are we hearing the sound of our voices echoed as screams
Are we making any real progress or are we just causing chaos with our words?
Do these thoughts sting your skin like the sarcasm shot from our tongues, through our teeth
Do these thoughts make you uncomfortable, like the biting remarks we often make?
Why are we always aware of the power of gravity when we try to climb
Why do we only think about the risks and dangers when we try to achieve something?
Like the way we breathe, we always take forgranted the assistance it gives us when we descend
Similar to how we unconsciously rely on our breath to descend, we take for granted the help we receive from others when we fall.
Heaven knows just how long we can crawl
We don't know how long we have to struggle before we are able to stand tall.
I'm done
I am tired of the drama and conflict, and I am ready for change.
How can we stand
How can we rise above the conflicts and work towards a common goal?
We are the only answers and we're happy
We hold the solutions to our own problems, and we should be content with that.
The only answer is everyone
The only way to achieve resolution is if everyone works together towards that goal.
I want a choice
I want to have the power to make my own decisions and not be controlled by others.
The only answer is everyone
The only way to achieve resolution is if everyone works together towards that goal.
Contributed by Jayce A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.