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.
Solid
Powerman 5000 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm staying here 'cause I'm fed up
I spend all my time on rhymes
But it just ain't enough, let's kick it out to the abstract
'Cause I'm right on track
And get it a little bit constricting, yeah, I need some uplifting
A lot of it's pure, but it comes out a toxin, I'm dead locked in, I'm dead locked in
They're burnin' in water, but I'm drowning in flames
Take it upon yourself, what you see is what you gotta plan
Make one now, like I know that you did
We're gettin' solid
Yeah, yeah, yeah
We're gettin' solid
I woke up in a scene that was bleak and
I knew upon death as I was speakin'
Seems I was surrounded by the meek and
I knew that the shit could not be weakened
Solid is the brain, solid is the grind
Solid is the pain, solid is the state of mind
Make one now, like I know that you did
We're gettin' solid
Yeah, yeah, right
We're gettin' solid
Alright, alright, okay
Solid is the brain, solid is the grind
Solid is the pain, solid is the state of mind
Solid is the brain, solid is the grind
Solid is the pain, solid is the state of mind
Solid is the brain, solid is the grind
Solid is the pain, solid is the state of mind
Solid is the brain, solid is the grind
Solid is the pain, solid is the state of mind
Solid is the brain, solid is the grind
Solid is the pain, solid is the state of mind
Solid is the brain, solid is the grind
Solid is the pain, solid is the state of mind
We're gettin' solid altogether, here we go
Gettin' involved with all the dumb shit goin' down
I make a sound in the dirt, I was born to raise the static
You wish you could, you never had it
Always wanna hang, but you just get hung
Always wanna climb, but you're on the first trunk
Sung like a true trouble maker, speaker
Move and you know I won't go save ya
Gettin' even ain't enough, revenge is the thing
That I bring with the rough stuff
Make one now like I know that you did
We're gettin' solid
Yeah, yeah
We're gettin' solid
Yeah
We're gettin' solid
Yeah, right, yeah, right
"Solid" by Powerman 5000 is a song about the struggle to maintain a strong, stable state of mind in a chaotic and unstable world. The lyrics suggest that the singer spends most of their time lost in thought and seeking inspiration, but finds that this is not enough to sustain them. They feel constricted and weighed down by negative thoughts and emotions, but are determined to lift themselves up and achieve a sense of solidity and balance.
The song also touches on themes of empowerment and taking control of one's own life. The singer encourages the listener to take charge of their own destiny and make a plan for themselves. The repeated refrain of "we're getting solid" suggests that they are making progress towards this goal, and that by working together they can overcome the challenges they face.
Overall, "Solid" is a song about resilience and determination in the face of adversity. It encourages listeners not to give in to despair or negativity, but instead to focus on building a strong, solid foundation for themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Get up
Encouragement to awaken and take action
I'm staying here 'cause I'm fed up
Expression of frustration with current circumstances
I spend all my time on rhymes
Admission of time spent on creative pursuits
But it just ain't enough, let's kick it out to the abstract
Desire to take creative expression to a new level
'Cause I'm right on track
Confidence in creative direction
And get it a little bit constricting, yeah, I need some uplifting
Yearning for inspiration to overcome creative blockages
Too many time's I've found myself drifting
Admission of losing focus and straying off course in creative pursuits
A lot of it's pure, but it comes out a toxin, I'm dead locked in, I'm dead locked in
Difficulty in translating creative ideas into tangible outcomes, feeling stuck
They're burnin' in water, but I'm drowning in flames
Metaphor for feeling different or out of place, surrounded by opposing forces
Take it upon yourself, what you see is what you gotta plan
Encouragement to take control and strategize with what is available
Make one now, like I know that you did
Encouragement to plan and take action
We're gettin' solid
Affirmation of progress and growth
I woke up in a scene that was bleak and
Opening line of reflection on past experiences
I knew upon death as I was speakin'
Metaphor for feeling close to failure or negative outcomes
Seems I was surrounded by the meek and
Description of being surrounded by those lacking conviction or initiative
I knew that the shit could not be weakened
Realization that challenges cannot be easily overcome
Solid is the brain, solid is the grind
Definition of solidity as a mindset and committed effort
Solid is the pain, solid is the state of mind
Acknowledgement of difficulties as part of the path towards solidification
We're gettin' solid
Affirmation of progress and growth
Alright, alright, okay
Expression of acceptance
We're gettin' solid altogether, here we go
Encouragement and camaraderie towards collective growth
Gettin' involved with all the dumb shit goin' down
Disdain towards negative or unproductive activities
I make a sound in the dirt, I was born to raise the static
Metaphor for disrupting the status quo and making an impact
You wish you could, you never had it
Swiping at those who lack the drive or talent to make an impact
Always wanna hang, but you just get hung
Description of those who lack conviction and fall short of their goals
Always wanna climb, but you're on the first trunk
Metaphor for wasted potential and lack of progress
Sung like a true trouble maker, speaker
Character description emphasizing defiance and confidence
Move and you know I won't go save ya
Threatening tone towards those who do not contribute to solidification
Gettin' even ain't enough, revenge is the thing
Escalation of motivating forces towards achieving solidification
That I bring with the rough stuff
Willpower and determination to overcome adversity
Contributed by Elijah H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ziggytime3667
these guys used to be the shit...zootz portland, maine