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.
Wake Up
Powerman 5000 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Right
[Chorus: x2]
Wake up
It's time to go
You better leave now
Wake up
Take off and go to somewhere else
I?d like to see what would happen to you
Transfix the clock
The past cannot talk
To tell you that this is deadly
One year older
One year meaner
One year uglier
One more reason
One more riot
One more left to go!
[Chorus: x4]
We all came here to witness this
To watch you fall and see nothing new
But I've got some news and this war is on
Destined to take it all
One year older
One year meaner
One year uglier
One more reason
One more riot
One more left to go!
Go!
Don't be afraid of the future
It doesn't include you, it only removes you
Don't be afraid of the future
It doesn't include you, it only removes you
[Chorus: x4]
The lyrics to Powerman 5000's "Wake Up" are a call to action, imploring the listener to shake off their complacency and rise to a new level of awareness. The repeated refrain of "Wake up" creates a sense of urgency, like an alarm clock ringing to signal the start of a new day. The song encourages the listener to move forward and leave behind the constraints of the past, represented by the clock that cannot talk.
The lyrics also suggest a certain level of anger and frustration, as the singer urges the listener to seize their opportunity and not be afraid of the future. The line "Don't be afraid of the future, it only removes you" implies that those who are not ready to embrace change will be left behind. The themes of rebellion and revolution are also evident, with references to riots and the idea of taking it all.
Overall, the lyrics to "Wake Up" are a powerful message about the importance of being present, seizing opportunities, and accepting change in order to move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!
Get up and be aware of what's going on around you.
Right
Confirming that you are paying attention and ready to act.
Wake up
Become alert and aware of the situation.
It's time to go
You need to leave now, there is no time to waste.
You better leave now
This is a warning to leave immediately.
Wake up
Reiterating the need to stay alert.
Take off and go to somewhere else
Escape the current situation and move to a different place.
I'd like to see what would happen to you
Curiosity about the potential outcome of your actions.
Transfix the clock
Stop dwelling on the past and focus on the present.
The past cannot talk
Your past mistakes or experiences cannot guide you in the current situation.
To tell you that this is deadly
To remind you that the current situation could have serious consequences.
One year older
Time continues to pass, reminding you that you are aging.
One year meaner
You become tougher with each passing year.
One year uglier
Physical appearance may deteriorate over time.
One more reason
Adding another motivation to the list.
One more riot
Indicating that chaos is becoming more frequent.
One more left to go!
One more obstacle to overcome before reaching your goal.
We all came here to witness this
Others are observing your actions or the situation as well.
To watch you fall and see nothing new
Spectators are not expecting any surprises.
But I've got some news and this war is on
However, there is new information and the fight is not over yet.
Destined to take it all
Fate is on your side and you will achieve victory.
Don't be afraid of the future
Do not fear what is to come.
It doesn't include you, it only removes you
The future does not revolve around you and may take you out of the equation.
Wake up
Keep alert and stay focused.
Wake up
Stay ready and keep moving.
Wake up
Do not become complacent or let your guard down.
Wake up
Another reminder to stay alert.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROB HALFORD, JOHN LOWERY, BOB MARLETTE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind