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.
Free
Powerman 5000 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everybody needs to start their own fire
Everybody needs a riot of their own
Everybody needs to be something they are not
Everybody needs to go it alone (Because)
Living so free is a tragedy
Living so free is a tragedy
When you can't see what you need to see (Okay)
All the time spent hanging on to anything
All the time spent knowing that they are wrong
All the time wasted, stolen back, innocent
You won't get a second more so move it along (Because)
Living so free is a tragedy
When you can't be what you want to be
Living so free is a tragedy
When you can't see what you need to see
Living so free is a tragedy
When you can't be what you want to be
Living so free is a tragedy
When you can't see what you need to see
Wishing and hoping and thinking it's you
That's got this all under control
Never a minute has passed you all by
When they haven't invaded your soul
It's not something you can hold
It's not something you own
It's not something you can buy or steal
You've got it when your alone
Being free is a tragedy
When you don't know yourself
Being free is a tragedy
When you don't know who you are
Living so free is a tragedy
When you can't be what you want to be
Living so free is a tragedy
When you can't see what you need to see
Living so free is a tragedy
When you can't be what you want to be
Living so free is a tragedy
When you can't see what you need to see
Lets go
Hey, hey, hey
Alright then
This is the story of your life man
The song "Free" by Powerman 5000 is all about the struggle to be free and authentic. The lyrics urge the listener to start their own fire, be their own person, and be unafraid to go against the norm. It emphasizes the message that being free is a tragedy when one cannot be true to themselves or see what they need to see. The lyrics are about carving out one's own identity and being willing to push against conformity, even if society would deem it as wrong or different. It is essential to recognize that freedom is not just about physical liberty, but it also relates to a spiritual or emotional sense of being free from the limitations that people set for themselves or are imposed upon them.
The song is a call to action to find yourself and your identity, even if people around you might judge, criticize, or consider your choices to be unwise. It urges listeners to recognize that time is precious and it is essential to move on from toxic relationships, regrets or past failures, and spend it on things that will drive you. The lyrics contain elements of self-reflection, inspiring the listener to think beyond what they see in the mirror and accept that they are free when they know who they are. The song is chaotic, but the message is clear - people need to be true to themselves to achieve freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody needs to start their own fire
Everyone needs to ignite their own passion and drive to succeed.
Everybody needs a riot of their own
Everyone needs to challenge the status quo and make their own mark.
Everybody needs to be something they are not
Everyone needs to step out of their comfort zone and push themselves beyond their current limitations.
Everybody needs to go it alone
Everyone needs to take responsibility for their own success and not rely on others to achieve their goals.
Living so free is a tragedy
Living with complete freedom can lead to tragedy if you do not know yourself or what you need.
When you can't be what you want to be
When you feel trapped or unable to be true to yourself, it can be a painful experience.
When you can't see what you need to see
When you are blinded to the truth or unable to perceive what you truly need, it can be a tragic situation.
All the time spent hanging on to anything
All the effort spent on holding onto something that is not serving you is wasted and will not be of benefit in the long run.
All the time spent knowing that they are wrong
All the time spent recognizing that something is not right or that someone is incorrect is useless if you do not take action to change the situation.
All the time wasted, stolen back, innocent
All the time that has been taken or wasted cannot be recovered, so it is important to use the time you have left wisely.
You won't get a second more so move it along
You only have a limited amount of time in this life, so it is important to use it wisely and not waste it on things that do not matter.
Wishing and hoping and thinking it's you
Merely wishing or hoping for something will not make it a reality, and it is up to you to take action to make it happen.
That's got this all under control
Believing that someone else has control over your life or your destiny is a fallacy, and you must take responsibility for your own life.
Never a minute has passed you all by
Time does not stop for anyone, and it is important to make the most of every moment you are given.
When they haven't invaded your soul
Your thoughts, emotions, and beliefs are your own, and you must guard them closely and not let others control them.
It's not something you can hold
Your true self and your identity cannot be grasped or contained by anyone else but you.
It's not something you own
Your true self and your identity cannot be bought or sold like a commodity.
It's not something you can buy or steal
Your true self and your identity cannot be acquired by material possessions or taken from you by others.
You've got it when your alone
Your true self and your identity is something that you discover and cultivate within yourself when you are alone.
Being free is a tragedy
True freedom is a double-edged sword because it requires you to take responsibility for your own life and happiness.
When you don't know yourself
Without a strong sense of self-awareness, it can be hard to navigate life and to make decisions that are true to who you are.
When you don't know who you are
Without a clear sense of your own identity and values, it can be hard to stay true to yourself and to make choices that align with your true self.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Darren Lewis, Iyiola Babalola, Taj Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@davroscaan1318
This song still kicks ass nearly 20 years after release. Why this didn't get massive airplay back in the day escapes me. Keep rockin'!
@Dukesmokey
Deserved it for sure
@mleet28
this song will probably never leave my top100 in a lifetime
@kompulzive
@@mleet28 same
@cise4832
Uh wtf it's been 20 years already?
@KS-vs7ht
Longer than 20years after isn’t it?
@gorrillafoot
This is the best song this band has ever done. This song hits hard when you realize what he's saying. Loved this song as a kid but the impact of the lyrics never hit me until I was a little older and I realized that the world is far from a perfect place. Thank you PM5K for the years of inspiration.
@edward7434
Xero lol
@charleswisconsin9196
CRAWLING IN MY SKIIIIIIN
@stevenpineda1203
2023 let’s go!!!!