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."
ZION
Pour Habit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What can I say
What can I feel
When I've been left alone
And I feel I just like I was in Zion [x4]
Everybody come now, we celebrate
With every kind of race
I said people people come now
To Zion's open gates
I bet you'll come if Marley's there
And this is what he'll say
Hot damn I feel just like I was in Zion
And I feel I just like I was in Zion [x3]
Everybody's here now, I can see your face
We're going to a better place
For peace, love and liberty
Admission is free so come with me
What will you do
The time has come to have some fun
So this is what I say to you
Hot damn I feel just like I was in Zion
And I feel I just like I was in Zion [x3]
And I feel I just like I was in Zion [x2]
Lord now take me away to Zion
And I feel I just like I was in Zion
I was in Zion
I was in Zion
Cause I was in...
The song "Zion" by Pour Habit is about the desire to escape reality and find a better place, a place where people of all races can come together and celebrate in peace, love, and freedom. The opening lines indicate a sense of abandonment and loneliness, but then the song shifts to a more positive outlook, inviting others to come to Zion's "open gates" and envisioning a place where everyone is welcome. The lyrics suggest that Bob Marley - the iconic musician known for his message of love and unity - would be there to welcome everyone to Zion. The repeated refrain of "I feel just like I was in Zion" reinforces the idea that this place is an idealized version of reality, where everything is perfect and everyone is happy.
The song draws inspiration from Rastafarianism, a religious movement that originated in Jamaica in the 1930s and is closely associated with the country's most famous musical export, reggae. Rastafarians believe that a messiah named Haile Selassie I - the former emperor of Ethiopia - will someday return to liberate the "children of Israel" (i.e. people of African descent) and unite them in a new homeland called Zion. Pour Habit's version of Zion is less explicitly religious but still channels the movement's emphasis on unity, peace, and social justice.
Line by Line Meaning
Oohh yeah said I feel just like I've abused
I am feeling low and defeated, with a sense of having mistreated myself somehow.
What can I say
I am at a loss for words to describe my current emotional state and experiences.
What can I feel
I am uncertain about how to process or interpret my emotions.
When I've been left alone
I am feeling isolated and abandoned by others.
And I feel I just like I was in Zion [x4]
I experience a transcendent sense of peace and joy that compares to being in the biblical promised land of Zion.
Everybody come now, we celebrate
Let us all come together and rejoice in the good times ahead.
We're going to a better place
We are moving towards a more positive and hopeful future.
With every kind of race
We are embracing and celebrating diversity and inclusivity.
I said people people come now
I urge others to join me in this joyful and hopeful movement.
To Zion's open gates
We are invited to enter into a state of peace and contentment, evocative of the biblical promised land.
I bet you'll come if Marley's there
Musician Bob Marley, who famously sang about the concept of Zion, would likely attract even more people to this joyful event.
And this is what he'll say
Here is the message of hope and unity that Marley would bring to this gathering.
Hot damn I feel just like I was in Zion
I am overwhelmed with ecstatic joy, as if I were truly in the biblical promised land.
Everybody's here now, I can see your face
Our community has come together in a positive way, and I am filled with happiness at the sight of everyone.
For peace, love and liberty
These are the values that we are striving towards in this joyful and hopeful gathering.
Admission is free so come with me
There are no barriers to joining this movement towards peace and unity, so I invite others to join me.
What will you do
I leave the choice up to others, urging them to consider what contribution they can make to this positive movement.
The time has come to have some fun
Let us enjoy the present moment and celebrate the good times ahead.
So this is what I say to you
Here is my message of hope and encouragement to those who are considering joining this movement towards peace and unity.
And I feel I just like I was in Zion [x2]
My transcendent joy and peace continue, evocative of the biblical promised land.
Lord now take me away to Zion
I express my longing for a state of peace and contentment, willing to be transported away from my current difficulties.
I was in Zion
I have experienced a profound sense of joy and fulfillment, perhaps through spiritual means.
Cause I was in...
The singer leaves the sentence unfinished, emphasizing the ineffability of the joyful experience they have had.
Contributed by Julia S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@nonopoopoohead
Hands down, best live band I have ever seen. Pour Habit is far too underrated!
@Raxilla
This song brings back so many memories. It's the first song I seen them play and by far my favorite.
@skajunkie401
Saw these guys on the Winter Blackout Tour. Got to sing the intro with Chuck when he jumped off stage. One of the best pits of my life. These guys kick major ass!
@getoldforever6774
Saw them open for The Adicts in Long Beach in like… 2008? So good.
@BozaLF
Saw them in Melb this Wednesday, they kick ass on stage, singer is very, very energetic.
@AssultKarma
Duuuude... they ROCKED the concert I went to!!
@RyanSmith-eq2rw
Still wearing your jacket i bought at that strung out show in so cal! Still drinking a cold one and love you guys! Pour Habit 4 life
@joshbowen1340
How come I've only just come across these guys now?
@brandonb7249
Check out a band named Strike Twelve also. Both upbeat and badass!
@Snake8418
This is incredible.