Lineup includes Spider One (vocals), Evan9 and Velkro (guitar), X51 (bassist), and GFlash (drums).
In 1990, Spider dropped out of art school and bought a cheap 4-track home studio and drum machine. Working under the title "MC Spider", he recorded "Much Evil" with producer Lamar Lowder. Building on local success, he built a band under the name Powerman 5000. Their style was in the nature of rap/metal that had yet to gain popularity. In 1991, longtime guitarist Adam 12 (Adam Williams) joined the band. In 1994 and 1995, Powerman released two independent records, True Force and The Blood Splat Rating System. Both albums were local successes.
In 1997, the band signed to Dreamworks Records and released a re-recording of The Blood Splat Rating System (with two new tracks) titled Mega!! Kung Fu Radio. The band toured and released singles such as "Organizized" and "Tokyo Vigilante #1". In 1999, Guitarist M.33 (Mike Tempesta) joined the band as they got their biggest break. Creating a strange fusion of science fiction (which had always interested Spider) and "Action Rock" (the term for their own high-energy powerful rock), they released Tonight the Stars Revolt!, which contained the hit singles "When Worlds Collide", "Nobody's Real", and "Supernova Goes Pop". The album sold over a million copies and assured the band's success.
A follow-up album titled "Anyone For Doomsday?" was recorded and a single ("Bombshell") had been released to radio stations, but the album was cancelled just before its scheduled release. Due to being heavily downloaded illegally, Anyone For Doomsday? was later released under Spider's own new label, Megatronic Records, but has since gone out of print due to legal issues. Arguments exist as to whether the record was cancelled due to the events of the September 11th terrorist attacks and the negative title, but the album was finished and scheduled to be released in August of 2001, a full month before the attacks. Spider has said in interviews that the album was dropped because it sounded too much like the previous album and that he wanted to release something fresh and different instead of repeating himself. Conflicts thereafter caused longtime members Dorian 27 (Dorian Heartsong) and Al3 (Allen Pahanish) to leave the band. Ad7 (Adrian Ost) and Siggy Sjursen were brought in to replace them. Ironically, "Bombshell" resurfaced, as the entrance music for the (now-formerly WWE) tag-team wrestlers, The Dudley Boyz.
In 2003, the band released "Transform", a more punk-fuelled album, completely dropping the costumes that had been featured throughout the band's "Tonight The Stars Revolt!" era. Containing the hit singles "Free" and "Action", the album sounded much more live and less filled with industrial metal electronics. After the release of Transform, Dreamworks Records was bought out by Interscope Records, and Powerman 5000 decided not to make the move. Undeterred, Spider continued with his own offshoot label Megatronic Records. In 2005, new music was released, both in the form of a rarities album titled The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, Vol. 1 and in new music from an upcoming album.
A new tour was also started, but M.33 had left the band and Adam 12, while present on the upcoming album, was not touring. Former Alien Ant Farm guitarist Terry Corso and former Halfcocked (the first band on Spider's label) guitarist Johnny Rock were brought in to round out the live show. The band has recently completed their new album, called "Destroy What You Enjoy". The band has announced that they are signed to DRT Enterainment, who released their album, of which the song "Wild World" is the new single and video.
On May 21, 2007, Powerman 5000 claimed via a MySpace blog post that they will be releasing a new studio album in 2007. The following is taken directly from said post: "Considering the bands track record of putting out cds once every three years it seems hard to believe that, yes we will put out a new disc in 2007!! It's all just beginning to develop and the wheres, whos and whats are to be determined but new rock is on the way!!" However, talk about the record soon simmered, and no new information was released.
Finally, in December 2008, the new track "Super Villain" premiered on the band's Myspace page, showcasing their return to their platinum-selling sound of the late 90s. On January 28, 2009, a preview of tracks from their upcoming 6th studio album were posted on the groups MySpace page, containing clips from the songs "Super Villain", "V is for Vampire", and "Horror Show". Powerman 5000 posted that "Super Villain" would become available for digital purchase on February 10 via iTunes and Amazon.com.
On April 7, 2009, Powerman 5000 released a blog on their MySpace page stating that Anyone For Doomsday? has officially been re-released. The legal battle ended and the album was released under the SKG Music License. The album is available on iTunes as a digital download. On April 21, the band released "V is for Vampire", the second single from their upcoming album, which is planned for a summer release.
On July 7, 2009, Powerman 5000 released a blog on their MySpace page[3] stating that the new album has been finished, and that a release date, track listing, artwork, and additional tour dates was coming soon. On July 27, 2009, Powerman 5000 appeared on Rockline, announcing the title of the new album as "Somewhere on the Other Side of Nowhere". A Tentative release date of October 6 was also announced. Three new songs were also premiered on the show, including "Timebomb", "Make Us Insane", and "Show Me What You Got". On Myspace Spider posted a blog talking about the three new songs filled with comments of the fans liking the music.
On September 6, 2009, Powerman 5000 released the album cover design along with the promotion of their upcoming tour starting on October 24. They also released two new promotional videos on YouTube for their new album, confirming its release date as October 6.
On October 1, the full track "Do Your Thing" was leaked onto YouTube. The song was apparently taken from the Megatronic Records Forum, in which frontman Spider One currently owns. The CD "Somewhere On The Other Side Of Nowhere" was officially released on October 6 in the U.S. and was available in Canada on October 20, two weeks after the reported release date.
The band embarked on a national tour during October and November in support of the album.
On December 7, Spider, the band's lead singer posted links on his Twitter page linking to FearNET.com which is hosting the bands music video for their first single "Super Villain". The video is also available on YouTube and stars Johnathon Schaech as the infamous Super Villain.
Do Your Thing
Powerman 5000 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All you slobs
All you killers
All you dogs
All you rats
All you punks
Hey, all you devils
All you liars
All you germs
All you trash
All you drunks
Just do your thing
Just do your thing (yeah)
Just do your thing (right, right)
Just do your thing
Hey, all you creepers
All you bores
All you suckers
All you whores
All you scabs
All you runts
It's time to turn it on again
Here comes a life that never ends
And when they tell that you suck
Just do your thing
Just do your thing (yeah)
Just do your thing (right right)
Just do your thing
Don't lose your mind
It's okay to be out of line
Don't lose your way
'Cause this is your day to...
Rise up, rise up
Rise up, rise up
Rise up, rise up
Rise up, rise up
Just do your thing (right, right)
Just do your thing
Just do your thing
Just do your thing (right, right)
Just do your thing
Don't lose your mind
It's okay to be out of line
Don't lose your way
'Cause this is your day to...
Rise up, rise up
Rise up, rise up
Rise up, rise up
Rise up, rise up
Rise up
Hey, all you people
All you slobs
All you killers
All you dogs
All you rats
All you punks
Hey, all you devils
All you worms
All you liars
All you germs
All you trash
All you drunks
Rise up
Don't lose your mind
It's okay to be out of line
Rise up, rise up
Hey, all you devils
All you worms
All you liars
All you germs
All you trash
All you drunks
Just do your thing
Just do your thing (yeah)
Just do your thing (right right)
Just do your thing
The lyrics to Powerman 5000's song "Do Your Thing" are an anthem of empowerment and individuality. The song is a call to all the people who feel overlooked or marginalized in society- slobs, killers, dogs, punks, and more- to rise up and do their own thing. The lyrics are a reminder that it's okay to be different and to defy the expectations of others.
The song's message is particularly relevant in today's society, where social media and the pressure to conform can make it difficult to embrace our individuality. The chorus is a simple but powerful call to action: "Just do your thing, don't lose your mind, it's okay to be out of line." The repetition of "rise up" in the bridge is a further encouragement to be bold and seize the day.
Overall, "Do Your Thing" is an uplifting song that celebrates diversity and encourages people to be themselves. It is a reminder that we all have the potential to make a difference, and that our differences are what make us unique and valuable.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, all you people
Addressing everyone listening, regardless of their status or identity.
All you slobs
All the lazy and messy people, who don't pay much attention to their appearance or surroundings.
All you killers
All the people who cause harm to others, whether intentionally or not.
All you dogs
All the people who are untrustworthy, unreliable, and not loyal to anyone.
All you rats
All the sneaky and disloyal people who betray others for personal gain.
All you punks
All the rebellious and unconventional people who challenge societal norms and authority figures.
Hey, all you devils
Addressing all the people who are seen as evil or corrupt.
All you worms
All the people who are weak and can be easily manipulated or exploited.
All you liars
All the people who are deceitful and not truthful to others.
All you germs
All the people who are infectious and spread negativity or bad influence.
All you trash
All the people who are considered worthless or undesirable by society.
All you drunks
All the people who are addicted to alcohol and usually behave in a reckless or irresponsible manner.
Just do your thing
Encouraging everyone to be themselves and do what they want, regardless of what others think.
Don't lose your mind
Advising people to keep their sanity and not get overwhelmed by negative emotions or thoughts.
It's okay to be out of line
Telling people that it's acceptable to deviate from the norm or challenge the status quo.
'Cause this is your day to...
Implying that today is a special occasion for everyone to express themselves and pursue their individual goals.
Rise up, rise up
Encouraging people to stand up for themselves and fight against oppression or injustice.
Here comes a life that never ends
Suggesting that there's always something new and exciting to experience in life, and that it never gets boring or dull.
When they tell that you suck
Referring to the criticism or disapproval that people may face from others when they act differently or take risks.
Just do your thing
Reiterating the importance of being true to oneself and pursuing one's own dreams, despite any negativity or criticism.
Rise up
The song's main message of empowering people to stand up for themselves and pursue their own goals.
Contributed by Liam K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.