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.
Spores
Say Anything Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And talking dirty to a fan who likes my band
When I took a chance and called you up
You said you'd visit but you just don't give a fuck
So I had to put you in your place
And leave a look of shame upon your face
Stood accused for the last two years
I got off, I got off, I got off
[Chorus]
But I
Still miss you more, I miss you more than I
Ever did before you left your spores inside
Of my empty core, a baby's got your eyes
Now I miss you more, I miss you more tonight
Then you threw me up against the wall
The city shook to meet our mating call
All the anger and the pain poured forth
The act itself defied the blessed source
When you were finished you were done with me
And you explained it wasn't meant to be
I should've known it when you howled his name
You got off, you got off, you got off
[Chorus]
I miss you more tonight
I miss you more tonight
I miss you more tonight
I miss you more tonight
You know I still know how, how much your love costs (alright)
You know when I peel back your layered lip gloss (alright)
You know I still know how to fuck your eyes crossed (alright)
It's your loss
It's your loss
The song “Spores” by Say Anything appears to be narrated by a person who has been enraged by the actions of an ex-partner. The opening lines are delivered by someone who is watching a movie and chatting with a fan who likes their band. They then decided to call their former partner, who initially promised to visit them, but later broke that promise. The singer eventually puts the former partner in their place, leaving them feeling ashamed of their actions. The second verse highlights the singer’s frustration with their former partner as they recall a sexual encounter. The singer explains how the meeting was fueled with energy and anger, and they felt used and objectified by their former partner. They ultimately realize that the former partner was not genuine and never really loved them.
The song’s chorus reiterates the singer's frustration and pain, as they continue to miss their former lover despite their actions. They describe how their lover has left their mark in their life, and how it hurts more now than when they initially left. The song ends with the singer expressing that they are still capable of being intimate, despite the pain caused by the former lover. They also express that their lover might have missed out on something great by leaving them.
Overall, the song “Spores” by Say Anything details a relationship that was filled with passion but lacked authenticity. The singer feels pushed aside and ultimately used by their former partner. The refrain helps to emphasize the pain and hurt that the singer feels as they continue to recall their time with their former partner.
Interesting facts about the song "Spores":
Line by Line Meaning
I was watching Demolition Man
I was engrossed in watching a movie called Demolition Man
And talking dirty to a fan who likes my band
At the same time, I was having a sexually explicit conversation with a fan who liked my music group
When I took a chance and called you up
After that, I decided to risk calling you and reaching out
You said you'd visit but you just don't give a fuck
You promised to visit me, but you didn't care enough to keep the promise
So I had to put you in your place
As a result, I had to make you realize your mistake
And leave a look of shame upon your face
I wanted you to feel embarrassed and guilty about your actions
Stood accused for the last two years
I was blamed for something for the past two years
I got off, I got off, I got off
I was able to clear myself of the blame and prove my innocence
But I still miss you more, I miss you more than I, ever did before you left your spores inside, of my empty core, a baby's got your eyes, now I miss you more, I miss you more tonight
Despite everything that happened, I still miss you a lot. Your memory and influence are still with me, even though you left me feeling empty inside. I see your impact through the child we had together, which only amplifies how much I miss you, especially tonight.
Then you threw me up against the wall
You got violent and threw me against the wall
The city shook to meet our mating call
The intensity of our physical encounter was so strong that it felt like the city was shuddering in response
All the anger and the pain poured forth
During the act, all the built-up anger and pain spilled out
The act itself defied the blessed source
Our actions were contradictory to the divine source
When you were finished you were done with me
When you were done, you were completely done with me
And you explained it wasn't meant to be
You rationalized that we were never meant to be together
I should've known it when you howled his name
I should have realized when you called out another man's name during our intimate moment
You got off, you got off, you got off
You were able to climax and finish, but it wasn't with me in a deeper context.
I miss you more tonight
Again, I miss you intensely tonight
You know I still know how, how much your love costs (alright)
You should know that I am aware of the price of your love
You know when I peel back your layered lip gloss (alright)
You know that I remember intimate details about you, such as your lipstick
You know I still know how to fuck your eyes crossed (alright)
I still know how to pleasure you so that you're barely conscious (eyes crossed)
It's your loss, it's your loss
In response to your decision to leave me, it's your loss.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MAX BEMIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind