Scream was formed in Northern Virginia in 1981 by singer Peter Stahl, his brother Franz Stahl on guitar, bassist Skeeter Thompson and drummer Kent Stax. They are considered one of the benchmark bands in the history of the Washington, D.C. hardcore music movement. Along with bands such as Minor Threat and Government Issue, Scream ultimately merged the attributes of the movement, which were blinding speed, heavy political and social connotations in the lyrics, unpretentiousness of attitude, and shunning of commercialism. Their music is faithful to the roots of rock, but spun itself into other genres by employing sounds that predate the raunchiness of grunge, while saluting reggae and speed metal. Scream hated the classification of bands into certain types and considered what they played as simply 'music.' Recording their music in the basement of the now legendary Inner Ear Studios in Arlington, Virginia, Scream became the first band on the Dischord label to release a whole album, Still Screaming, as opposed to singles or 12 inch EPs. Like the hardcore band Bad Brains, they could play clearly at breakneck speed, but also played mid-tempo songs like "American Justice" and "Hygiene," which were metal-tinged reggae.
For their second album Scream added another guitarist to their line-up, Robert Lee "Harley" Davidson, to thicken up the sound in the studio and in their live performances. In turn this eventually led to a powerful dual-lead guitar style, with complex guitar tracking, a more powerful live sound and an over-all crunchier sound for their third album. For a few compilation efforts and some live shows they added a keyboard player, Bobby Madden, who was a colleague of Davidson's from the same metal scene.
After the third album Banging the Drum, Kent Stax left the band for personal reasons and was replaced by local drummer Dave Grohl, who then played on Scream's 4th album No More Censorship. The band then toured Europe; with their May 4, 1990 show in Alzey, Germany being released by Tobby Holzinger as Your Choice Live Series Vol.10. Scream then recorded their fifth and final studio album Fumble, (which was much later released in 1993 on Dischord Records) and then called it quits in late 1990. Pete and Franz moved to North Hollywood and started rock band Wool, while Grohl joined Grunge band Nirvana. In 1997, Franz Stahl joined Dave Grohl's newly formed group, the commercially successful Foo Fighters, for a two year stint. During this time Pete Stahl worked as a road manager for both the Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stone Age, while continuing to record albums with several bands, including the Earthlings? and Goatsnake. Skeeter Thompson remained in the D.C. area and continued to work in bands, as did Kent Stax with the Skinhead/Oi! -tinged bands: the Suspects, United 121, Spitfires United, and Alleged Bricks. Stax has also committed himself to a family life. Davidson continued in the band Angelstorm, (in Huntsville, Alabama), from 1993–1995 and created the new bands Orangahead, Festival of Fools, (with Madden in 1998) and two different bands both named God Is Dead, (one in D.C. and one in Huntsville, Alabama) from 2002-2005.
The original line-up of the band played a reunion show on December 20, 2009 at the Black Cat nightclub in Washington, D.C.
On February 7, 2011, the band supported Foo Fighters on a special show at the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles, when the Foo Fighters showcased their new album Wasting Light for the first time from beginning to end.
Current members
Peter Stahl – lead vocals (1981–1990, 2009–present)
Franz Stahl – guitar, backing vocals (1981–1990, 2009–present)
Skeeter Thompson – bass, backing vocals (1981–1990, 2009–present)
Kent Stax – drums, percussion (1981–1986, 2009–present)
Former members
Dave Grohl – drums, percussion (1986–1990)
Robert Lee Davidson – guitar, backing vocals (1984–1989)
Take It From the Top
Scream Lyrics
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Take take take it from the top and I
Take take take take it from the
Take take take it from the top and I
You never know what this world has in store for you
You break down walls so they don't block your point of view
Stand tall keep your head up cause you're ready to break through
And if you want to start a new then all you got to do is
Take it from the top
When I'm in over my head
Take it from the top
I'm pushing play and start again
Take it from the top
Sometimes it might feel strange the best that I can change
You know I never stopped
Take it from the top
The futures never far from guaranteed
The brighter days are always just within your reach
A new beginning is the only thing you need
I know you want to feel it too
So all you got to do is
Take it from the top
When I'm in over my head
Take it from the top
I'm pushing play and start again
Take it from the top
Sometimes it might feel strange the best that I can change
You know I never stopped
Take it from the top
Take take take take it from the
Take take take it from the top and I
Take take take take it from the
Take take take it from the top
When I'm in over my head
Take it from the top
I'm pushing play and start again
Take it from the top
Sometimes it might feel strange the best that I can change
You know I never stopped
Take it from the top
Take take take take it from the
Take take take it from the top and I
Take take take take it from the
Take take take it from the top
Sometimes it might feel strange the best that I can change
You know I never stopped
Take it from the top
The song "Take It from the Top" by Scream is an anthem that talks about never giving up and always striving for your dreams. The repetition of "take it from the top" is a call to action, urging the listener to keep going and starting over after every setback. The lyrics encourage the listener to break down barriers and keep moving forward, even when it may feel strange or unfamiliar. The song acknowledges that the future isn't always guaranteed, but insists that brighter days are always within reach with a new beginning.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of optimism and hope that is conveyed through the upbeat tempo and lyrics. The vocalist encourages the listener to stand tall and keep their head up, ready to break through any obstacles that come their way. The repetition of "take it from the top" is a reminder to never give up, but to always persevere and try again.
Overall, "Take It from the Top" is a powerful and motivational song that encourages listeners to keep pushing forward and pursuing their dreams, no matter how difficult it may seem.
Line by Line Meaning
Take take take take it from the
Repeated encouragement to start fresh and achieve success.
Take take take it from the top and I
Encouraging the listener to strive for success.
You never know what this world has in store for you
Advocating that the listener should not give up in life as the future is always unknown.
You break down walls so they don't block your point of view
Encouraging the listener to overcome obstacles in their life.
Stand tall keep your head up cause you're ready to break through
Motivating the listener to remain confident and to believe in themselves.
And if you want to start a new then all you got to do is
Encouraging the listener to take actions towards a new life.
The futures never far from guaranteed
Highlighting the uncertainty of the future.
The brighter days are always just within your reach
Assuring the listener that better times are near.
A new beginning is the only thing you need
Encouraging the listener to start over and begin again.
I know you want to feel it too
Empathizing with the listener's desire for success.
So all you got to do is
Reiterating the importance of taking action.
Take it from the top
Encouraging the listener to start over and pursue their goals.
When I'm in over my head
Acknowledging that the singer too faces challenges in life.
I'm pushing play and start again
Motivating the listener to reset and try again.
Sometimes it might feel strange the best that I can change
Acknowledging that change can be uncomfortable, but it's necessary for growth.
You know I never stopped
Asserting that the singer has continued to persevere despite adversity.
Writer(s): Stahl Franz Kenneth, Stahl Peter Marc, Thompson James, Davidson Robert Lee, Grohl David
Contributed by Carson B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Six Stringer
Awesome song and awesome band. Shouldve been way more popular than they were.
Joe Steers
This is fucking amazing! such an underrated band.
Johnny D
Dave Grohl is so fucking unreal