The Illinois-based combo's full length debut, "The Kicks of Passion" (released 31 July 2007), sees Powerspace unleashing its own inimitable sound, a brightly colored mash-up of pure power pop and electronica-inspired invention. Tracks such as "Powerspace Snap Bracelet" and "Right On, Right Now" literally snap and crackle with the just-out-of-their-teens quartet's uncontainable charm and energy.
The Powerspace team came together back in 2005 at Ohio's Miami University. Guitarist Tom Schleiter and bassist Daniel McMahon, both of whom played in bands in their native burbs of Chicago, had long discussed making music together. A year older, Schleiter spent his freshman term at Miami working with drummer Kevin Kane in a local band, an experience the guitarist describes as "unsatisfying." He spent the next summer focusing on writing songs for an as-yet-undetermined new band. When he told McMahon what he'd been up to, the bassist suggested the two form a new combo upon Dan's arrival at school in the fall.
Once they began collaborating, the three musicians embarked on a search for a lead singer. While they were excited about this new musical outlet, they admit to treating their initial quest with a grain of salt.
They worked briefly with an avant-garde poet and a girl singer who was plagued by shyness, not a particularly helpful quality in a frontperson. Their personnel problem was solved on a car trip home from Miami, when Schleiter's mom suggested that their high school friend and fellow Miami U. student Alec Cyganowski might want to give singing a shot.
With Cyganowski behind the mic, Powerspace was complete. The band started playing shows around Miami University and Cincinnati and by the summer, felt ready to do some recording. Rather than simply cutting a standard issue demo, they decided to enlist producer Mark McClusky (Hit the Lights, Ludo, Scenes From a Movie), who McMahon worked with in one of his previous bands. They laid down five songs in five days, resulting in the "Houston, We Have a Party" EP.
The EP quickly brought Powerspace to the attention of major label bigwigs and weasels, all of whom began waving contracts under the band's noses. In the end, Powerspace inked with the label that most reflected their own aesthetic views and artistic goals – Fueled By Ramen.
Rather than splitting their focus between the band and their studies, Powerspace chose to take an indefinite breather from Miami University. They played a number of local gigs, sharing stages with such bands as June, Quietdrive, and 2*Sweet. More significantly, they spent endless time in their practice space, concentrating on their chosen craft.
By December 2006, they were ready to record, again opting to work with McClusky. But first, the producer needed the band to give him a hand setting up his new digs in Lincoln Park, dubbed "Dorisland," after McClusky's beloved pooch.
Powerspace spent much of the winter in the studio, carefully crafting what would be dubbed – for reasons the band prefers to keep close to the vest – "The Kicks of Passion." Taking off from such diverse influences as INXS, The Darkness, The Wrens, and Squarepusher, the album is bracingly creative, displaying Powerspace's multi-layered pop stance, a glamtastic sonic approach kissed with electro textures and metallic virtuosity.
"The Kicks of Passion" is alive with ingenious vigor, with soaring tracks like "It Smells Like Electricity In Here" evincing the band's artistic ambition. The skyscraping melodies and overall exuberance are counterpointed by deeply personal lyricism, often touched with a melancholy and reflection that the band attributes to its time at Miami U.
With "The Kicks of Passion" ready to go, Powerspace is turning its attention to playing out. Having spent much of the last year honing their craft, the band is full-on fired up about at last hitting the road and getting down with the kids.
Drummer Kevin Kane announced the band's break up on February 17, 2010.
The Remaining Members minus Alec are in a new band Bad City
Be Aggressive
Powerspace Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are you feeling me?
It's getting late and it's hard to see
I've got some problems
But not enough to stop me
Cause I can't stop, I can't stop
I won't stop, won't stop
This night ends with me and you
(Be, I'll be aggressive, be, I'll be aggressive)
Be, I'll be aggressive
Be-e, I'll be aggressive
You never know just who you're up against, so
Be-e, be-e aggressive
Be-e, be-e aggressive
Yeah, are you reading me?
Is it obvious what I'm trying to say?
Cause I want you bad
And you know I got it
Ohh, I can't stop, I can't stop
I won't stop, won't stop
Can't stop until I know for sure
This night ends with me and you
Be, I'll be aggressive
Be-e, I'll be aggressive
You never know just who you're up against, so
Be-e, be-e aggressive
Be-e, be-e aggressive
Cause you know you see-see-see-can't stop the thunder
Ohh, I can feel the tension rising
But you know we've got it good
Whoa-a-a, who would have guessed
That tonight we'd take over the world?
be-e, be aggressive
Be-e, I'll be aggressive
You never know just who you're up against, so
Be-e, be-e aggressive
Be-e, be-e aggressive
Cause you know you see-see-see-can't stop the thunder
The lyrics of Powerspace's song Be Aggressive seem to be about a person who is pursuing their love interest with focus and determination. They acknowledge that they have some problems but they are not significant enough to deter them from achieving their goal. The repetition of the lines "I can't stop, I won't stop" indicate the singer's dedication to pursuing the night with their love interest. The chorus, "Be, I'll be aggressive," drives the point home that they will not give up easily, and the use of the phrase "you never know just who you're up against" suggests that their love interest may be someone who requires persistence and effort to win over.
The bridge of the song brings in a sense of excitement and tension, as the singer declares that they can feel the tension rising, but still maintains their confidence in their pursuit. The overall theme of the song seems to be one of perseverance and determination in going after what one wants.
Line by Line Meaning
One, two, three
We're counting down to something exciting about to happen
Are you feeling me?
Are you understanding the vibe that I'm giving off?
It's getting late and it's hard to see
The night is progressing, and it's becoming more difficult to perceive things
I've got some problems, But not enough to stop me
I have some issues, but they aren't significant enough to hinder me from achieving my goals
Cause I can't stop, I can't stop
I'm so determined and focused that I can't be stopped
I won't stop, won't stop
I refuse to quit until I achieve what I desire
Can't stop until I know for sure This night ends with me and you
I won't give up until I am confident that tonight will end with us being together
(Be, I'll be aggressive, be, I'll be aggressive) Be, I'll be aggressive Be-e, I'll be aggressive You never know just who you're up against, so Be-e, be-e aggressive Be-e, be-e aggressive
I'm going to be bold in going after what I want because you never know who or what you're facing
Yeah, are you reading me?
Do you understand what I'm communicating to you?
Is it obvious what I'm trying to say?
Am I being clear in expressing what I want to happen?
Cause I want you bad
I'm extremely attracted to you
And you know I got it
I have what it takes to win you over
Ohh, I can feel the tension rising
There's a feeling of excitement and anticipation building up
But you know we've got it good
We have something special between us
Whoa-a-a, who would have guessed That tonight we'd take over the world?
We're going to make the most of this moment and accomplish great things together
Cause you know you see-see-see-can't stop the thunder
We're going to be an unstoppable force
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BILL GOULD, JAMES BLANCO MARTIN, MICHAEL ALLEN PATTON, MICHAEL ANDREW BORDIN, RODDY CHRISTOPHER BOTTUM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind