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.
Meaning of Life
Powerman 5000 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What's the meaning
You must be dreaming
To want the meaning of life
I heard you screaming
To know the meaning
To know the meaning of life
Yeah!
What's the meaning
You must be dreaming
To want the meaning of life
I heard you screaming
To know the meaning
To know the meaning of life (of life)
You've got radio
Living in stereo
You've got that song that you love
But they're just liars
Their words expire
And then that feeling is gone (gone)
What's the meaning
You must be dreaming
To want the meaning of life
I heard you screaming
To know the meaning
To know the meaning of life (of life)
You've got people
So many people
Walking two steps behind
They come to judge you
Not rise above you
But still they make you feel blind
Still they make you feel blind
Still they make you feel blind
What's the meaning
You must be dreaming
To want the meaning of life
I heard you screaming
To know the meaning
To know the meaning of life (of life)
Delay the decay, but the world keeps moving on
You need to know a little more than that
Your time is up but the world keeps moving on
You need to know a little more that that
What's the meaning
You must be dreaming
To want the meaning of life
I heard you screaming
To know the meaning
To know the meaning of life
Let's go!
Life! Life!
You need to know a little more than that
Life! Life!
You need to know a little more than that
Life! Life!
You need to know a little more than that
You need to know a little more than that
[computer gibberish]
The lyrics of Powerman 5000's song "The Meaning Of Life" convey a sense of frustration with the human quest to find the meaning of life. The song starts with a sarcastic tone, as the singer questions those who seek the ultimate purpose of existence, suggesting they must be "dreaming" to want something seemingly unattainable. He goes on to criticize the idea of finding meaning through external sources such as radio music, calling them "liars" whose words expire and leave the listener empty-handed. Similarly, the singer conveys a sense of disillusionment with society, portraying people as judgmental and hindering personal growth.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of urgency as the singer emphasizes the limited time we have on this earth. He acknowledges that the world will keep moving on with or without us, and that we need to know more than what we have been led to believe. The chorus repeats the question of "What's the meaning?" but quickly dismisses the idea that there is a straightforward answer to this complex question. Rather than providing an answer, the song suggests that the search for meaning is ongoing and requires personal introspection and exploration.
Overall, the lyrics of "The Meaning Of Life" suggest that the search for meaning is a personal journey that cannot be found externally. The song encourages listeners to think critically about what they have been taught about the meaning of life and to be open to new perspectives.
Line by Line Meaning
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait
Take it slow and think before we try to understand the meaning of life.
What's the meaning
The subject of this song: literally the meaning of life.
You must be dreaming
Asking for the meaning of life is a futile endeavor.
To want the meaning of life
The idea of discovering the meaning of life is a desire that cannot be fulfilled.
I heard you screaming
The desperation to know the meaning of life is evident.
To know the meaning
The singer of the song recognizes the urge to understand the meaning of life.
You've got radio
Life is full of distractions and noise.
Living in stereo
The distractions of life are so prevalent they surround us in a 360-degree audio experience.
You've got that song that you love
People can find joy and meaning in art and music, but it never lasts forever.
But they're just liars
Artists and musicians are not reliable sources of truth or meaning.
Their words expire
The feelings and emotions conveyed in art and music eventually dissipate.
And then that feeling is gone (gone)
The fleeting nature of emotions and feelings is akin to the temporary pleasure of enjoying a song or work of art.
You've got people
Human beings are our greatest resource and source of connection and meaning.
So many people
We are surrounded by people on this planet, but connection can be elusive.
Walking two steps behind
Many people are not confident enough to lead or show their vulnerability.
They come to judge you
People can be harsh and judgmental, or make you think less of yourself, when what we need is support and encouragement.
Not rise above you
Instead of inspiring others or getting inspired by them, others might be stuck in a vicious cycle of competition and sabotage.
But still they make you feel blind
This negativity can be so strong that it clouds our vision and makes us lose our way.
Delay the decay, but the world keeps moving on
We can procrastinate many things, but time is not on our side, and the world keeps turning.
You need to know a little more than that
Life is more complicated than one thing to hang on to, and meaning can't be found in an easy answer.
Your time is up but the world keeps moving on
Our time in this world is limited, but the world does not wait for us: it keeps changing and evolving.
Life! Life!
It's all about life, but it's complex and difficult to understand.
You need to know a little more than that
The song stresses that life and the meaning of life both require deep contemplation and insight.
[computer gibberish]
Non-lyrical section of the song that features electronic and computer-generated sounds.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind