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.
Supernova Goes Pop
Powerman 5000 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or are you the past,
The past have you been chosen,
Or are you the last,
The message was sent,
They seem so un...REAL!!
Cuz now i'm made of plastic wire and steel,
AND STEEL!!
Follow for now and follow for this cuz everybody follows for nothing at all,
Follow for now and follow for this cuz everybody follows for nothing at all,
Supernova, ya supernova,
Supernova goes pop
Supernova, ya think its over,
But supernova don't stop,
Can you explain, just what you are,
I've never been this close to a...STAR!! alright,
The message was sent, you know what to do,
Cuz everybody needs to be someone don't you,
Alright, DON'T YOU!!
Follow for now and follow for this cuz everybody follows for nothing at all,
Follow for now and follow for this cuz everybody follows for nothing at all
Supernova, ya supernova,
Supernova goes pop,
Supernova, ya think its over,
But the supernova don't stop,
Supernova, ya supernova,
Supernova goes pop,
Supernova, ya think its over,
But the supernova don't stop,
Lets go,
Supernova, that supernova,
That supernova goes pop,
Supernova, you think its over,
But that supernova goes pop
(yelled)
Supernova, supernova
That supernova goes pop, alright
Supernova, supernova
That supernova don't...it don't...it don't
stop...
The lyrics of "Supernova Goes Pop" by Powerman 5000 explore the concept of identity and the pressure to conform and be someone in a society that values popularity and appearances over substance. The song questions whether one's identity is determined by their past, present or future, and whether one is a product of their environment or has agency in shaping their own destiny. The juxtaposition of the message being sent and the unreality of the situation suggests a sense of disconnection and alienation from oneself and others, as if one is living in a hyperreal world where everything is a simulation. The chorus, "Supernova goes pop", implies a sense of explosive energy and release, as if breaking free from the constraints of conformity and embracing one's true self.
The repetition of "follow for now and follow for this" and "everybody follows for nothing at all" emphasizes the sense of herd mentality and the superficiality of social media culture, where people blindly emulate others without truly understanding or questioning why. The bridge, where the singer admits to being close to a star and needing to be someone, suggests a desire for fame and recognition, but also a recognition that it comes with a price. The repeated chants of "Supernova, supernova" at the end of the song imply a sense of transcendence and transformation, as if one has finally shed the plastic and steel of their artifice and become something greater.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you the future,
Asking if the subject is a representation of the future.
Or are you the past,
Asking if the subject is a representation of the past.
The past have you been chosen,
Asking if the subject was specifically selected from the past.
Or are you the last,
Asking if the subject is the last remnants of something.
The message was sent,
Indicating that there was communication involved.
They seem so un...REAL!!,
Suggesting that the conveyance of the message is not trustworthy.
Cuz now i'm made of plastic wire and steel,
Claiming that the singer is not human, but rather artificial.
AND STEEL!!
Emphasizing the artist's mechanical nature.
Follow for now and follow for this cuz everybody follows for nothing at all,
Pointing out the subject's tendency to follow trends without a discernible purpose.
Supernova, ya supernova,
Addressing the subject directly as a supernova.
Supernova goes pop
Observing the subject's sudden and dramatic explosion.
Supernova, ya think its over,
Asking if the subject believes that their show is over.
But supernova don't stop,
Declaring that the subject keeps going despite their belief that they are finished.
Can you explain, just what you are,
Asking the subject to clarify their nature.
I've never been this close to a...STAR!! alright,
Observing that the singer is very close to something very large and brilliant, perhaps a metaphor for the subject.
You know what to do,
Asserting that the subject is familiar with the expectations placed upon it.
Cuz everybody needs to be someone don't you,
Commenting on the pressure that the subject is under to be someone noteworthy.
Alright, DON'T YOU!!
Asserting that the singer expects the subject to feel similarly.
Lets go,
Encouraging the subject to continue and not give up.
Supernova, that supernova,
Referring to the subject in the third person as a supernova.
That supernova goes pop,
Observing the subject's explosive performance.
Supernova, you think its over,
Asking the subject if they feel finished.
But that supernova goes pop
Contrasting the subject's belief of being finished with its continued explosive performance.
(yelled)
Emphasizing the following text was shouted.
Supernova, supernova
Addressing the subject directly as a supernova.
That supernova goes pop, alright
Asserting that the subject's performance is explosive and exciting.
Supernova, supernova
Addressing the subject directly as a supernova.
That supernova don't...it don't...it don't
Asserting that the subject keeps going and doesn't stop.
stop...
Finalizing the assertion that the subject keeps going and doesn't stop.
Contributed by Victoria D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Anonymity Anon'
Lyrics:
Are you the future
Or are you the past, the past
Have you been chosen
Or are you the last
The message was sent
They seem so unreal
'Cause now I'm made of plastic
Wire and steel, and steel
Follow for now and follow for this
'Cause everybody follows for nothing at all
Follow for now and follow for this
'Cause everybody follows for nothing at all
Supernova, ya supernova
Supernova goes pop
Supernova, ya think it's over
But supernova don't stop
Can you explain just what you are
I've never been this close to a star, all right
The message was sent, you know what to do
'Cause everybody needs to be someone, don't you
All right, don't you!
Follow for now and follow for this
'Cause everybody follows for nothing at all
Follow for now and follow for this
'Cause everybody follows for nothing at all
Supernova, ya supernova
Supernova goes pop
Supernova, ya think it's over
But the supernova don't stop
Supernova, ya supernova
Supernova goes pop
Supernova, ya think it's over
But the supernova don't stop
Let's go!
Supernova, that supernova
That supernova goes pop
Supernova, you think it's over
But that supernova goes pop
Supernova, supernova
That supernova goes pop, all right
Supernova, supernova
That supernova don't it, don't it, don't
Stop!
turtlettturtle
Hardly anyone in this generation knows about powerman 5000, this breaks my heart.
BowlG
since that new generation doesnt dare to touch a retro console or some slightly older game, in which these old songs always are
Flying Spaghetti Monster
I don't know man, 2 Million is a lot to me
JakeFromStateFarm
@BowlG Hey we're not all like that. I love old consoles and music.
Trippz
‘Tis a shame such a dope ass band
Kalin Kk
Maybe they're not supposed to ;)
Varg
I'll never understand why they gave up the gimmick. Loved it growing up.
Terry Fulds Gaming
Best 2 bands to see live:
Gwar
And
Pm5k during their dress up days.
JaPo
Just isn't as cool when you're older.
he
They still make music. Look up, "we are the children of the future, PM5K." It fucking sucks but it's newer. Lol