In 1998, Project 86 released its self-titled debut on BEC Recordings, a division of Tooth & Nail Records, and was immediately labeled "rapcore" due to strong similarities to acts such as Rage Against the Machine. Though Schwab's vocals could barely be called rapping, it was a convenient label due to the popularity of that genre of music at the time. The album and a supporting tour opening for P.O.D. and Blindside on the Warriors Tour stirred a lot of hype for the band and their sophomore album was excitedly anticipated.
Project (as the band is often referred to by its fans) released Drawing Black Lines in early 2000 to very strong aclaim and the album is widely considered to be the band's defining work. In support of Drawing Black Lines, Project 86 toured extensively with the addition of a second live guitarist (Cory Edelman, formerly of No Innocent Victim), headlining with supporting bands such as Living Sacrifice and Stavesacre and also opening for P.O.D. and Linkin Park. Perhaps more importantly, influential modern shock rocker Marilyn Manson took interest in the band and had the song "P.S.", originally released on Drawing Black Lines, added to the Blair Witch 2 soundtrack. Probably due to this interest, Project 86 became a higher priority for Atlantic. DBL was slated to be re-released with new artwork and three new songs, but in actuality it was only a bare bones repackaging of the exact same album. However, Atlantic did pour over half a million into Project's next musical foray, entitled Truthless Heroes (2002), which, though proving to be the band's most popular outing yet, was released amidst great turmoil.
Over the course of recording Truthless Heroes (which took around a year to complete) Project 86 had increasing difficulty with its management, as well as both record labels (Tooth & Nail still had rights to release their music to the Christian market). This wore the band down immensely, but by the time the album was finished, the difficulty seemed to have worked out in Project's favor - Atlantic bought all of Tooth & Nail's remaining rights to the band and released "Hollow Again", the first single from the album, on mainstream radio. Word came out that the band would be shooting a video for the song shortly, but it never materialized as Atlantic ran into troubles of its own and liquidated some of its assets - including Project 86. In 2003, finding themselves cut loose by both label and management, Project started its own independent label.
Also during this time, the members of Project 86 became outspoken concerning the Contemporary Christian Music scene, siding with other similar acts such as Stavesacre and MXPX in saying that they wanted to distance themselves from the label and the idealogical restrictions that the CCM label automatically places on bands. A Truthless Heroes website containing links to various underground news organizations, as well as edgy visual art pages that decried the dehumanizing effect of pornography, surfaced and generated much controversy among the band's fans.
Project 86's fourth album, Songs To Burn Your Bridges By, was released independently in the fall of 2003 and went on to sell quite well despite being sold only at shows and online. Come 2004, the band mended relations with and re-signed to Tooth & Nail Records and Songs To Burn Your Bridges By was re-issued with three new songs and completely new artwork.
In February 2005, Project 86 announced that they were working on a new album. The title was later announced as ...And The Rest Will Follow. The band spent several weeks in the studio with Garth Richardson over the summer recording the material, and then began releasing a new song every Monday on their purevolume site. The album was released on September 27, 2005, and sold 8,000 copies in its first week, more than any other Project 86 album. A release tour began September 23, with Spoken, Number One Gun, Mourning September, and The Fold.
On January 6th, 2006, Project 86 appeared live on G4's Attack of the Show!, performing "My Will Be A Dead Man" and "The Spy Hunter". This was the band's first appearance on mainstream cable television.
In other recent news, announced March 28th, 2007, on the band's website: "Recently, Alex Albert officially left Project 86. After many years as the drummer for the band, it was time for him to move on to pursue other interests. Alex parted the band on friendly terms, and Project 86 wishes him the best in this new chapter in his life. Thanks for all your years of comraderie, Alex, and you are in our prayers!"
From www.project86.com:
Project 86 has been riding high since the release of their 6th studio album "Rival Factions" in June, 2007. The record grabbed P86 their highest career Billboard debut at 123 and their 1 single "Evil -A Chorus of Resistance" has topped rock charts for the last several months. The new record has garnered extensive critical praise with glowing reviews in AP, Infuze, All Music Guide, Sputnik, The OC Register, etc. The guys were also featured in Outburn and CCM, and graced the July cover of HM Magazine. Add the recent tapping to have their music used on the upcoming film "The Seeker-The Dark Is Rising" video blog series on MTV.com and its clear the guys in P86 have much to celebrate.
"The Kane Mutiny-EP" was released on Nov. 27 2007, making it the first EP that Project 86 ever released.
Then, after almost a year of no new music, Project 86 released the "This Time Of Year EP", a christmas album with 5 tracks on it.
On April 24, 2009, Project 86 Announced that their seventh studio release would be entitled "Picket Fence Cartel." On May 20, 2009, they uploaded two songs from Picket Fence Cartel, "Destroyer" and "Dark Angel Dragnet" to their MySpace page, for streaming play. They also added the song from 'Picket Fence Cartel' called A John Hancock with the safety off on June 4, 2009. The album was released on July 14, 2009.
After fulfilling their last agreement with T&N, in December 2011 the band announced a Kickstarter campaign via their official website and Facebook page, stating that "the fans are now our record label." Their eighth studio release, Wait for the Siren, was released on August 21, 2012.
Featuring all star guest appearances by: Bruce Fitzhugh (Living Sacrifice), Rocky Gray (Evanescence), Brian "Head" Welch (Korn, Love and Death), Andrew Welch (Disciple), Blake Martin (A Plea for Purging) and The Wedding. The new album was produced by Steve Wilson and Andrew Schwab and engineered/mixed by Steve Blackmon.
Described as Andrew Schwab's opus the record promises to be a fresh take on the P86 sound. Schwab said, "On this record I was really able to take the reins of the creative process in a direction I was passionate about. I was able to write songs that pushed me to grow as an artist. It was also insanely fun to have so many of my friends involved in the process and at this point in the game that is what its about. I am really looking forward to people hearing this album." With concert goers noting the new energy of the songs and new band members Scott Davis on drums, Dustin Lowry on guitar and Mikee "Norman" Williams on bass it seems P86 has benefited from a back to basics reinvention.
2. Also, in the early 90's, house producers Howie How & Little Carlos released 12"s on seminal labels R&S Records and Nu Groove Records, under the name "Project 86". They are otherwise totally unrelated. See also the following link for detail on this collaboration: http://www.discogs.com/artist/Project+86
Independence
Project 86 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How does it feel to find yourself so blind to the sin your hiding deep inside?
Turn your back on the obvious facts and watch the city gnash and burn on you
Oblivious to your only way out and now the lifestyle's evidence too
Independence runs rampant while fire awaits for burning flesh overflowing like sets
Blind as the bats in the dark mindsets without hope of ever seeping through cracks
Like a fool
And now so content
Implement the tool
Your rainbow's a symbol
Of a smile on your face unforgettable
You look to the skies and smirk while your choice proves completely regrettable
Lust fills the sleepless nights
Thirty five and under the plight to sow invites
You'd better get to bead early
Because the dawn's bringing light to melt the living penalty
And now you want to try to separate independence from your bonded state?
Worship your created self with unnatural debased states of mind for fates erased
With no excuse for ignorance 'cause His nature only proves His existence
Uncleanness assumes an image that's reflecting the faraway cry from creation
The signs of the times sign a contract (with fine print)
Providing your soul with destruction
And now you want to try to separate independence from your bonded state?
The lyrics to Project 86's song Independence speak to the consequences of choosing the wrong team and being blinded by sin. The singer asks the listeners how it feels to be so oblivious to their surroundings and to turn their back on the obvious facts. The city is burning and there seems to be no way out of the lifestyle that has been chosen. The concept of independence is explored, but rather than being viewed as a good thing, it is depicted as something that is rampant, and only leads to burning flesh and a dark mindset.
The second verse emphasizes the foolishness of having an arrogant mindset focused on lust. The pride leads to the rainbow being a symbol of an unforgettable smile on one's face, with no realization of the regret that will come later. The consequences of one's actions catch up with them, with lust filling the sleepless nights and regrettable choices being made. The lyrics suggest that there is no excuse for ignorance, as the nature of the creator only proves His existence. The signs of the times warn of the destruction that comes with choosing to live a life focused on independence rather than submission.
Overall, the lyrics of Independence are a warning against pride and the consequences of choosing to live a life focused on independence rather than submission to a higher power. The consequences are dire, with burning flesh, destruction, and regrets. The song urges listeners to recognize the signs of the times and to make wise choices that reflect a submission to a higher power rather than a focus on self.
Line by Line Meaning
How does it feel to find yourself playing for the wrong team with the stakes so high?
What does it feel like to discover that you're on the wrong side when so much is at risk?
How does it feel to find yourself so blind to the sin your hiding deep inside?
What does it feel like to be unaware of the sin that you're concealing within yourself?
Turn your back on the obvious facts and watch the city gnash and burn on you
Ignoring the undeniable truth and witnessing the city suffer as a result of your actions
Oblivious to your only way out and now the lifestyle's evidence too
Completely unaware of your sole solution to escape and now the consequences of your lifestyle are evident
Independence runs rampant while fire awaits for burning flesh overflowing like sets
Being free from external control leads to reckless behavior and consequences like a raging fire
Blind as the bats in the dark mindsets without hope of ever seeping through cracks
Being blindly trapped in a negative mindset without any hope of breaking free
Like a fool
Acting foolishly
You're so proud of your arrogant mindset of lusts unspeakable, continue to drool
Taking pride in immoral desires and continually lusting after them
And now so content
Feeling satisfied with the current situation
Implement the tool
Using a method or strategy to achieve a goal
Your rainbow's a symbol
Your expression of pride or identity is a representation
Of a smile on your face unforgettable
Reflecting a memorable moment of happiness or satisfaction
You look to the skies and smirk while your choice proves completely regrettable
Looking up and grinning while realizing your decision was a mistake
Lust fills the sleepless nights
Desire for immoral things consumes the restless nights
Thirty five and under the plight to sow invites
Trying to sow seeds of temptation despite being over thirty-five years old
You'd better get to bead early
It's advised to go to bed early
Because the dawn's bringing light to melt the living penalty
The sun rising will reveal the consequences of your actions
And now you want to try to separate independence from your bonded state?
Do you now want to dissociate from the situation you've become a part of?
Worship your created self with unnatural debased states of mind for fates erased
Worshipping a distorted version of yourself with unnatural and immoral thoughts, ultimately leading to downfall
With no excuse for ignorance 'cause His nature only proves His existence
There's no reason to be unaware of God's existence as His existence is evident in nature
Uncleanness assumes an image that's reflecting the faraway cry from creation
Immoral actions have a ripple effect, affecting everything including nature
The signs of the times sign a contract (with fine print)
The signs and events of the present time serve as a document of what's to come, including the small details (fine print)
Providing your soul with destruction
Leading to the ultimate destruction of your soul
And now you want to try to separate independence from your bonded state?
Still attempting to separate oneself from the negative situation that has been entered into
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind