Say Anything, then called Sayanything, began their career when the band was still in high school. They self-released two EP's and one LP entitled Baseball. Baseball and the band's first EP, Junior Varsity, are both out of print and are no longer available. The band's second EP entitled Menora/Mejorah was released online. All of these early albums have a pop punk sound reminiscent of blink-182 and of Max's favorite band, Saves the Day.
In August 2004 they released ...Is a Real Boy on Doghouse Records. The album was produced by Tim O'Heir (Sebadoh, All-American Rejects, Superdrag) with arrangements by Stephen Trask (Grammy nominated for Hedwig & the Angry Inch). While recording the album Max Bemis had a nervous breakdown during which he took to the streets of New York until his girlfriend found him and ended up in a mental hospital for a few weeks. He attributes the breakdown to stress and bipolar disorder.
Some time after ...Is a Real Boy was released, a set of 8 songs entitled Vs. AIDS Demos were leaked onto the internet by an unknown source. Soon the band told fans that the demos were part of an AIDS benefit album that had been scrapped, and told anyone who had attained them not to distribute them to anyone else (Max Bemis later stated on his website, "that shit sucks," in regard to the demos).
Say Anything signed with J Records (Maroon 5, Alicia Keys), owned by BMG Entertainment, one of the "big four" record labels. Under J Records they re-released ...Is a Real Boy with a bonus disc entitled ...Was a Real Boy containing seven of the eight Vs. AIDS Demos. This album, originally scheduled to be released on October 25th, 2005, was delayed over 4 months to February 28th, 2006. Some copies ended up leaking out through various retailers, notably Tower Records' website. Most leaks occurred due to retailers shipping pre-orders before J-Records had a chance to stop them. Soon copies of the album were selling for over $50 on eBay.
Say Anything released their third album, In Defense of the Genre, under J Records in 2007. Produced by Brad Wood, the album had two discs containing 27 songs, many of them featuring guest appearances by high-profile musicians such as Gerard Way and Hayley Williams.
In November 2009, Say Anything released their fourth full-length studio album, Say Anything. This is the band's first album under RCA Records. It contains 13 tracks, including "Hate Everyone," which was the album's first single.
On August 19, 2010 it was confirmed that Say Anything and RCA Records had parted ways. Soon after (September 29) it was announced via Say Anything's official website that Alex Kent would be leaving the band, and that Kenny Vasoli of The Starting Line would be temporarily taking over as bassist for their upcoming tour. As of so far no permanent bassist has been selected to replace Kent.
In December 2012, Bemis announced that drummer Coby Linder, the only other remaining original member of the band, had left Say Anything on amicable terms to pursue other projects.
In Defense of the Genre
Say Anything Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's beautiful and valid
Go tell the false friend, who doubts your art
"Hey, toss my caustic salad"
Their noise pollution is a one-night stand
A closet corporate ballad
Compose the theme, compose the theme
That seems to haunt the sultan's dreams
Yes their truth is a lie, a sickly, sober sky
Don't you dare lie down your sword and die, oh small fry
Crime of the century, know what it meant to me
They'll label us what they can never be
Hate me but I am in your heart pulling it apart
Burning up a black hole
All those magazines and stifled teens
Whose trite teething is outdated
Have minuscule minds of clay in need of chiseling away
This war's been reinstated
So spit a wad in the face of their fucking flawless race
And all they've consecrated
I won't believe the twisted web they weave
They can stitch you silent now, or bitch the violence out
I'm disavowed, I'm proud to shun their know-how
The wolf beget the lamb, now it's in his hands
I'm reeling from a feeling that they've banned
Our last stand goes, hallelujah, love lost
I've got an empty wallet and a record cover
The stage, hot and worn like an aging lover
So I spew a comet of verbal vomit
Sac religious, of Christ or Islamic
It's full of piss and they'll never stop
Come on and kill the kindly ones
The ever blinding ones
We stand and face you now, we will not run
Just you wait and see where your lemming line leads
The lyrics to Say Anything's song "In Defense of the Genre" are full of defiance and encouragement towards artists to create their own unique art and not let anyone else's opinions dampen that creativity. In the first verse, lead singer Max Bemis sings about how someone's art is valid and beautiful, and encourages them to stand up against anyone who doubts their work. He warns against the "noise pollution" of those who create generic music just for corporate success and instead encourages the creation of deep, meaningful themes that would "haunt the sultan's dreams."
In the second verse, Bemis sings about how those who label artists as "trite" or "outdated" have "minuscule minds of clay in need of chiseling away." He encourages artists to stand up against the pressure to conform to the media and reject the twisted web they weave. The chorus calls out those who wish to silence or control artists, but Bemis asserts that "we stand and face you now, we will not run."
Overall, the lyrics express a powerful message of defiance and encouragement for artists to create meaningful and unique art, and to stand up against anyone who tries to silence or control that creativity. It's a message that can inspire anyone who is struggling to express themselves in a world that often values conformity over creativity.
Line by Line Meaning
Can't you see, my dear, what you create is greater than great
Your creative output is beyond impressive and truly exceptional.
It's beautiful and valid
It is a work of beauty with real artistic merit.
Go tell the false friend, who doubts your art
Confront those who claim to support you but secretly doubt your talent.
"Hey, toss my caustic salad"
Let them know that you are capable of more than they think, and that their doubts are unfounded.
Their noise pollution is a one-night stand
Their uninspired, shallow artistry is fleeting and lacks substance.
A closet corporate ballad
Artistically stale and manufactured with a clear agenda or commercial interests in mind.
Compose the theme, compose the theme
Create an idea or motif that resonates deeply with others and stands the test of time.
That seems to haunt the sultan's dreams
It should be something that inspires or disturbs people in a way that makes it memorable and difficult to ignore.
Yes their truth is a lie, a sickly, sober sky
The dominant narrative or ideology is oppressive and limiting, and any claims to absolute truth are dubious and suspect.
Don't you dare lie down your sword and die, oh small fry
Don't be defeated by those in power or accept their world view as unassailable. Stand up for what you believe in regardless of the odds.
Crime of the century, know what it meant to me
The injustices and cruelties inflicted by the powerful are devastating and personal. They have a tangible impact on those who are marginalized, exploited or oppressed.
They'll label us what they can never be
Those in power will belittle and dehumanize us for what they cannot understand or grasp. They will try to silence us but we should remain steadfast in the face of their derision.
Hate me but I am in your heart pulling it apart
Even if they hate us, they cannot ignore or forget us. Our message or art will linger in their mind and unsettle them.
Burning up a black hole
Our fierce passion or intense drive is like a force of nature that cannot be quenched. It will consume everything around it and leave a void or emptiness.
All those magazines and stifled teens
The mass media and younger generations are preoccupied with shallow, trivial things that do not challenge the status quo or expand our horizons.
Whose trite teething is outdated
Their attempts at artistic expression or rebellion are clichéd and uninspired. They are stuck in an earlier era and cannot break free from the old paradigms.
Have minuscule minds of clay in need of chiseling away
They lack imagination and originality, but that is not their fault. It is a result of social conditioning or systemic factors that have molded them into conformists.
This war's been reinstated
Our struggle against the powers that be is ever-ongoing and never-ending. There will always be new battles to fight or new fronts to open.
So spit a wad in the face of their fucking flawless race
In defiance of their attempts at perfection, let us be crude, vulgar and unapologetic in our expression. Let us shatter their illusions of superiority.
And all they've consecrated
Their achievements or accomplishments are overrated and do not deserve the reverence or admiration that they receive.
I won't believe the twisted web they weave
I will not be fooled by their lies or propaganda. I will seek the truth and hold them accountable for their deceit.
They can stitch you silent now, or bitch the violence out
They can either silence you through coercion or harassment, or they can provoke you to violence by pushing you to your limits.
I'm disavowed, I'm proud to shun their know-how
I have disowned their ideology or way of life, and I take pride in rejecting their values or beliefs. I will forge my own path.
The wolf beget the lamb, now it's in his hands
The predator has given birth to its prey and now has power over it. The powerful have created their own demise and will be held accountable for it.
I'm reeling from a feeling that they've banned
I am overwhelmed by an emotion or experience that they have deemed unacceptable or threatening. I am grappling with something that transcends their narrow view of the world.
Our last stand goes, hallelujah, love lost
Our final stand is both a celebration of the human spirit and a lament for what we have lost. We will fight on despite the great cost.
I've got an empty wallet and a record cover
I am broke and penniless, but I have art or music that sustains me and gives me hope.
The stage, hot and worn like an aging lover
The stage is a metaphor for our lives, and it is marked by passion and pain, joy and sorrow. It is a crucible that tests our mettle and pushes us to our limits.
So I spew a comet of verbal vomit
I am free to express myself in any way I see fit, even if it is unconventional or disturbing. I am uninhibited and bold in my artistry.
Sac religious, of Christ or Islamic
I am challenging traditional notions of religion and belief, and questioning their relevance or validity. I am open to new ideas and ways of thinking.
It's full of piss and they'll never stop
My expression is crude and confrontational, and it will never be fully accepted or understood by those in power.
Come on and kill the kindly ones
Destroy those who pretend to care but are really just out for themselves, even if they do it under the guise of charity or love.
The ever blinding ones
Those who refuse to see the world as it really is, and insist on their own narrow view of reality.
We stand and face you now, we will not run
We will confront those in power and face the consequences of our actions. We will not be cowed or intimidated.
Just you wait and see where your lemming line leads
Those who blindly follow the herd will be disappointed or disillusioned when they realize where it has led them. They have given up their freedom for the illusion of safety and comfort.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MAX BEMIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind