The band formed in 1994 as a three-piece, featuring singer/guitarist Lance Lammers, bassist Jesse Everhart, and drummer Thomas Lanser. The trio had two releases on indie label Art Monk Construction, a 1996 self-titled E.P. and the 1997 L.P. Leper Ethics.[2] The band broke up in early 1997 shortly before the release of Leper Ethics. Despite all the songs being written by Lammers, Everhart and Lanser continued using the name Seven Storey Mountain for a short time in Lammers' absence, drafting Aaron Wendt as a singer/bassist and Jason Kileen as lead guitarist, with Everhart switching from bass to second guitar.[3] During that summer Lammers recorded 2 four song EPs on his own, "LLE" and "Conservatory". "LLE" was performed entirely by Lammers and "Conservatory" was recorded with local Phoenix drummer Rob Wheeler. Lammers rejoined his former bandmates later that year at their request and reverted the band back to the original three piece configuration.[4] This reformation would only last a few months and permanently disbanded in 1998. Material recorded by this trio from late 1997-1998 was released on the album Based on True Story in 2000 by Deep Elm Records and included several songs Lammers had previously recorded on his own.[5][6]
Lammers formed a new band in 2001 which he abbreviated Seven Storey. The new lineup, featuring Dave Norwood on bass and Chad Kinney on drums, released Dividing By Zero on Deep Elm in 2002.[7] The band began a national tour with Local H and Injected in November 2001.[8] Seven Storey disbanded shortly thereafter. A handful of leftover demo tracks that Lammers recorded on his own were released on a split EP with Brandtson and Camber in 2003.
Continuing to work on new material over the next couple of years, Lammers re-adopted the original Seven Storey Mountain moniker for a 2007 album, At the Poles, released on Thick Records. The album was recorded and performed solely by Lammers, and drew comparisons to Frodus and Fugazi.[9][10] A new live band played shows from 2005-2007 that featured Rich Van Syckel on bass and Dave King on drums.
May 2015 saw the release of the 7 song EP "A La Mierda". Like "At The Poles" this album was written, performed and recorded by Lammers, this time at Fidelity Unlimited Recording in Portland, OR.
Waste of Time
Seven Storey Mountain Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lyrics to Seven Storey Mountain's song Waste Of Time are about the way people absorb and consume information, whether it is educational or not. The song suggests that people are constantly bombarded with useless information, and they are not able to filter out what is important and what is not. The song speaks to the short attention span that people have when it comes to processed media content. The song suggests that people are not interested in taking the time to understand complicated issues, but instead, they are looking for instant gratification. The song also speaks to how people can be so consumed by technology and the media that they lose sight of the world around them.
The song uses the metaphor of a useless toy occupying someone's time as a way of describing the way people use technology today. The song suggests that people are allowing technology to consume their lives, and they are not using it to enhance their lives. The song suggests that people are living in a world where they have no control over the information they consume; they take it all in without consideration of whether it is good for them or not. The song speaks to the dangers of not being able to critically analyze the information that we are given and how this can lead to our demise.
Line by Line Meaning
And you take it in. with your eyes open wide.
You are paying close attention, taking in everything with your eyes wide open.
as it's etched on your brain.
The information you receive is permanently engraved in your memory.
educational or a big waste of time.
The content could either be useful or a complete waste of time.
i think the latter's what you'll gain.
You will most likely end up feeling like it was a waste of time.
absorbing every drop.
You take in every bit of information available.
whether you like it or not.
Regardless of whether you enjoy it, you still absorb the information.
not an ounce of refrain.
There is no hesitation in taking in the information.
just a useless toy occupying your time.
It is just a pointless distraction, filling your time with little value.
it's just a tool for your demise.
It is a tool that can lead to your downfall.
among the talking heads you dwell.
You are among a group of people who are merely repeating what they have heard without much thought.
but the world still turns.
The world continues to move forward regardless of your participation.
with or without the coverage via satellite.
The world will continue to move forward whether or not you are receiving information about it through technology.
it's like you're begging to stand in line.
You seem eager to follow and conform to others without question, like standing in a long line.
but you can't even see the front of it.
You are unaware of the end result or the consequences of your actions.
it's only getting longer.
The line or the issues are only growing more complicated and challenging.
you're wasting my time.
Your actions or behavior are pointless and unproductive.
you're a waste of my time.
You are not contributing anything of value and are therefore wasting someone's time.
short attention span.
You have a limited ability to focus and retain information.
they've got what you need.
Others have control over the information you need or want.
just plug yourself in.
You are encouraged to conform and become part of the system without question.
faster all the time.
The world is moving at an ever-increasing speed.
how fast do we need.
There is a sense of urgency to keep up with the world's pace, but it is unclear why.
ever sweeter is sweet sin.
There is a tendency to pursue things that are pleasurable but ultimately harmful.
in a marching band but you've got nothing to play.
You are part of a group or system but do not have an active role or influence.
they're playing every note for you.
You are being led by others and have no autonomy or creativity of your own.
just sit back and watch.
You are expected to passively observe instead of actively participating or contributing.
what a way to live
There is a sense of pity or disappointment in the way you are living life.
Contributed by Penelope B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.