Initially started by Steve and Chuck as a trio in 2005 in Compton, California, the band underwent a series of member changes and instrument swaps before landing on the perfect lineup of Chuck (vocals), Colin (drums), his brother Eric (guitar/vocals), Shaun (guitar) and Steve (bass/vocals)—and they haven't looked back since. After gaining a local following performing with Authority Zero and Guttermouth and building an enthusiastic fanbase in California, the group entered the studio in 2007 to record their debut full-length, Suiticide. "We barely had enough money for a week in the studio and that album is pretty much a live CD," Colin explains, adding that his drum tracks were cut in one take. "It was a good learning experience and we're proud of it."
From there the band started playing even bigger shows with acts like Strung Out, the Adicts, the Expendables and Death By Stereo and before they knew it, they had sold more copies of Suiticide than they ever imagined they would. As luck would have it, Colin's father was a studio musician and friend of Strung Out's drummer Jordan Burns and eventually Colin convinced Strung Out to let Pour Habit open for them. Pour Habit's impressive arrangements, infectious energy and mind-boggling musicianship made Burns an instant fan/cheerleader and he passed the band's CD onto Fat Wreck Chords owner and NOFX frontman Fat Mike who signed the band in 2009 after watching them play a handful of dates opening for his own band.
"Fat Mike told us that he was expecting to like two or three songs but he said it was a great album that he could release as it was before he put us in the studio," Colin says sounding like he still can't quite believe the band's good fortune. "I'm still kind of overwhelmed by the whole thing." Listening to Suiticide, it's no surprise that Mike wanted to re-release the disc. In fact, from ultra-tight, metal-tinged melodic rock anthems like "Light The Torch," which recall SoCal acts like Ignite to frenzied thrash masterpieces like "Bad Luck Drunk" to sinister sounding hardcore tracks like "Hell Bent," Suiticide harkens back to the early days of the Fat Wreck Chords sound and manages to unify seemingly disparate punk subgenres into a unique amalgam of music that'll instantly get the lead of out today's subdued circle pits.
"When Suiticide came out you have to realize that we were just kind of getting our songs together and our members were into everything from Guttermouth to Pantera, so it was us trying to find that in-between," Colin responds when asked about the album's original sound. "Through that we realized, 'Let's just do whatever we want to do and if it's a simple three-chord Green Day pop song or a crazy Meshuggah wannabe song who cares? Let's do whatever we can do and if it rocks, it rocks.'" It certainly does rock—and the good news is that the band already have another collection songs written that they'll be recording this summer. However in the meantime you'll be able to catch them on tour spreading their brand of punk to the masses and continuing to win crowds over one fan at a time.
"Fat Mike ruined me and my brother's lives," Colin summarizes with a laugh. "If it wasn't for Fat Wreck Chords, I'd probably be working a steady job, but because of those bastards this is my life and there's no way I could ever quit or stop. None of us could and that's the thing—the five of us are so plugged into each other that we're really best friends and that's why we're so dedicated to making this work," he continues, adding that the band have never brought in outside management because they're happy to be involved in even the most mundane aspects of being in a band. "We're looking toward the future and we just want to keep growing and meeting good people and always moving forward."
Party
Pour Habit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In North Long Beach, East 69th
I’m gonna go and party it up
I’m gonna go and party it up
In North Long Beach, East 69th
I’m gonna go and party it up
The night before was such a rage
I’m hanging by a thread
Just one too many to the head
An empty wallet, a full stomach
It doesn’t make sense
Trunk full of fun, complete with ice
I can’t afford gas, I’m spent
I’m gonna go and party it up
In North Long Beach, East 69th
I’m gonna go and party it up
I’m gonna go and party it up
In North Long Beach, East 69th
I’m gonna go and party it up
High school, college, after grad
Taste buds grow old
Sweats and shakes are friends of mine
My liver lives life too bold
Can’t move, can’t talk, can’t fall asleep
Brain cells just wanna dance
How I got home is a mystery to me
I’d never leave it up to chance
I said I’d never leave it up to chance
I said I’d never leave it up to chance
I’m gonna go and party it up
In North Long Beach, East 69th
I’m gonna go and party it up
I’m gonna go and party it up
Like it’s my last night alive
I’m gonna go and party it up
In North Long Beach, East 69th
I’m gonna go and party it up
I’m gonna go and party it up
In North Long Beach, East 69th
I’m gonna go and party it up
The lyrics of "Party" by Pour Habit are about getting drunk and partying with friends in North Long Beach. The singer is recovering from the previous night's hangover, and despite being short on cash and fuel, they are determined to continue partying. They reminisce about the good old days when their body could handle the alcohol better, and they didn't get so many sweats, shakes, and sleeplessness. They also acknowledge their risky behavior and how lucky they are to make it home each time.
The song seems to convey a sense of adrenaline rush and youthful recklessness. The singer is willing to overlook the consequences of their lifestyle because they enjoy the thrill of partying, even if it means waking up hungover and broke. The reference to North Long Beach and East 69th suggests a specific location where the party scene is happening, adding to the song's authenticity and realism.
Overall, "Party" embodies the spirit of carefree fun and the desire to enjoy life to the fullest, no matter the cost. It's a song that celebrates the joys of youth and the excitement of living in the moment, while also acknowledging the dangers of excess and the need for caution.
Line by Line Meaning
I’m gonna go and party it up
I am going to celebrate and have a good time
In North Long Beach, East 69th
In a specific neighborhood, I will be engaging in this revelry
The night before was such a rage
The previous night was a wild and intense experience
I’m hanging by a thread
I am barely holding on or surviving
A porcelain god, yet he saved me again
Despite the unpleasant vomiting, I feel better afterwards
Just one too many to the head
I consumed too much alcohol and now feel unwell
An empty wallet, a full stomach
I have no money left but I am not hungry
It doesn’t make sense
My current situation is confusing and illogical
Trunk full of fun, complete with ice
My car's trunk has alcoholic beverages and ice for the party
I can’t afford gas, I’m spent
I do not have enough money to buy gas for my car
High school, college, after grad
Throughout my life, I have partied during various stages and events
Taste buds grow old
I am bored with the same drinks or experiencing new flavors does not excite me as much
Sweats and shakes are friends of mine
I often experience physical symptoms like sweating and shaking due to drinking too much
My liver lives life too bold
I consume and process alcohol at a dangerous rate
Can’t move, can’t talk, can’t fall asleep
Due to alcohol consumption, I am unable to perform basic tasks or sleep
Brain cells just wanna dance
My mind is impaired and all it can do is enjoy the music and party atmosphere
How I got home is a mystery to me
I cannot remember how I made it back to my residence
I’d never leave it up to chance
I would never rely on luck or fate to ensure my safe return home
Like it’s my last night alive
I will party as if it is my final night on Earth
Contributed by Owen R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.