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.
The Future That Never Was
Powerman 5000 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know everything is never much
But the sound of the sound you heard was serious
So take back everything you ever got
Cause this is the future that
That never was
That's right
[I never would have imagined it would be anything like this]
Right
[I never would have imagined it would be anything like this]
The page has turned around from what it was
So maybe I'll hate you now just because
The burden is tiresome and has become
The same as the future that
That never was
Right
That's right
[I never would have imagined it would be anything like this]
Right
[I never would have imagined it would be anything like this]
The dream that you dreamed about
It never came
Step back and look around
Now who's to blame
Your voice is weaker now
It's just a buzz
That sounds like the future that
That never was
The lyrics of The Future That Never Was by Powerman 5000 seem to convey a sense of disappointment and regret towards the world and the future that never materialized. The opening lines "Have you nothing to contribute?" reflect the frustration felt by many regarding the lack of action or progress towards improving the state of the world. The following lines "I know everything is never much" suggest that even small contributions to a discussion could have made a difference. The line "the sound of the sound you heard was serious" implies that there were warnings or signals that were ignored or not taken seriously.
The chorus "This is the future that never was" suggests that the current state of the world is not what was envisioned or hoped for. The lines "The page has turned around from what it was, so maybe I'll hate you now just because" could be interpreted as the realization that things have changed and that someone or something is to blame. The lines "The dream that you dreamed about, it never came, step back and look around now who's to blame" further emphasize the disappointment and the search for accountability.
The final lines "Your voice is weaker now, it's just a buzz, that sounds like the future that never was" could be interpreted as a call to action and a warning that our voices need to be heard and that we need to take responsibility for the future we want to create. Overall, the lyrics of The Future That Never Was convey a sense of frustration, disappointment, and a call to action towards creating a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you nothing to contribute?
Do you have no ideas or thoughts to add to this important discussion that could impact the future of our world and even our existence?
Have you nothing to contribute?
Do you have no ideas or thoughts to add to this important discussion that could impact the future of our world and even our existence?
Have you nothing to contribute to a discussion on which depends the world civilization, perhaps? perhaps even our very existence?]
Do you have nothing to contribute to this important discussion that could determine the fate of our civilization and potentially even our survival as a species?
I know everything is never much
I understand that my knowledge or thoughts may not be significant or impactful.
But the sound of the sound you heard was serious
However, the message or information conveyed is of extreme importance or urgency.
So take back everything you ever got
Therefore, retract any previous statements or ideas you may have had that are now deemed insignificant or irrelevant.
Cause this is the future that
This is the time that we are currently in, where the actions and decisions made will shape the future.
That never was
Despite the potential for a promising future, we are currently facing an unfavorable reality.
I never would have imagined it would be anything like this
The current situation was unforeseeable and not what was anticipated.
The page has turned around from what it was
Things have taken a different course than originally expected or planned.
So maybe I'll hate you now just because
As a result of the unexpected turn of events, anger or resentment towards others may arise.
The burden is tiresome and has become
The problems or challenges we face are becoming increasingly difficult to manage or overcome.
The same as the future that
The difficulties we face now are indicative of the kind of future we can expect if things do not change.
That never was
Our current situation differs greatly from what was once hoped for or expected.
The dream that you dreamed about
The aspirations or visions that were once held.
It never came
Those aspirations or visions were never realized.
Step back and look around
Take a moment to reflect and assess the situation from a broader perspective.
Now who's to blame
Who or what is responsible for the current state of things?
Your voice is weaker now
The voice or opinion once held is now less powerful or influential.
It's just a buzz
The once impactful voice or opinion has become nothing more than white noise, unnoticed or ignored by others.
That sounds like the future that
This current state of being is a reflection of the kind of future that awaits us.
That never was
Our current situation differs greatly from what was once hoped for or expected.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind