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.
Where Were You
Seven Storey Mountain Lyrics
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The lyrics to Seven Storey Mountain's song "Where Were You" seem to address a significant individual whose presence has been felt through both the highs and lows of life. The song begins with a question, "When I saw the great disasters, where were you?" and then goes on to describe various calamities such as wars and natural disasters that have occurred over time. Through this, the songwriter seems to express feelings of despair and desolation, suggesting it was foolish to expect the presence of someone who is not there.
The song then transitions into an internal reflection. The songwriter reveals their feelings of being a fool and not being where they want to be but rather just filling space. The lyrics suggest that the individual may have lost the game before it even began, and they fight against themselves, attempting to take back what was lost. The will to continue fighting seems to persist, but the individual is questioning the futility of their efforts as they run faster, and yet they tire more quickly.
Towards the end of the song, there's an admission of building a wall too high, but the desire to get some rest seems more important than breaking the barrier. The person being addressed seems to hold a greater power, and while the writer seems to be giving up at the moment, the song still leaves the question of "Where were you?" hanging in the air.
Line by Line Meaning
When i saw the great disasters. where were you.
I witnessed some catastrophic events, and I'm wondering where you were at that time.
as the clock starts ticking faster.
Time seems to be moving quicker than before.
as they wallowed in their anguish.
As others were suffering and struggling to cope with their emotional pain.
when they forgot their own language.
When people couldn't communicate effectively with one another due to a lack of understanding.
as the wars had started burning.
When wars began to break out, and chaos and destruction were rampant.
from a distance saw it coming. it was true.
I was able to perceive these events from afar, and unfortunately, they turned out to be real.
and i am just a fool to me.
I feel foolish for not being able to comprehend everything that's going on around me.
it's not where i want to be.
I feel lost and trapped and wish I could escape this situation.
it's just the space i fill.
I feel like I'm just occupying a meaningless space in the world.
are you right outside my door.
I'm questioning if someone is present and ready to help me in my time of need.
can't be up there keeping score.
I shouldn't be keeping track of successes or failures.
or i'd have lost by now.
If I were keeping score, I would have already lost the battle.
but i'd have to throw it all away.
I know I need to start over and let go of the things holding me back.
throw it out with all the mire.
Discard all the negative influences and associations that have weighed me down.
but the will it still seems to burn.
Despite everything, I still have the drive and motivation to keep moving forward.
come and walk for me for a while.
I'm asking for someone to take over and guide me in the right direction for a little while.
until i get some rest.
I need a break to recharge and regain my strength.
as the doubt was getting dense.
As my uncertainty and questioning becomes increasingly heavy and overwhelming.
as it began to make sense.
Despite my doubts, I'm starting to understand and accept reality.
and i hate to play this game.
I despise putting on a facade and pretending everything is okay when I'm struggling inside.
but at least i know you'll win.
I may not be able to succeed, but I have faith that someone else will achieve victory.
no matter what i do.
Regardless of my efforts, it may not be enough to succeed.
and i fight against myself.
I'm battling my own inner demons and insecurities.
give the enemy his wealth.
I'm conceding to the forces that are against me and allowing them to have their way.
we're going to take it back.
But I know that eventually, we will reclaim what has been taken from us.
the faster i run the more i tire.
The harder I push and strive for success, the more exhausted I become.
and i build this wall too high.
I've unintentionally created barriers that prevent me from moving forward and achieving my goals.
i know you'll make it over soon.
I believe that someone will eventually overcome these obstacles and barriers.
do i tempt and ask again.
I'm debating if I should ask for help once more.
can i leave it up just a little while.
I might need someone else to temporarily take over and help me until I can get back on my feet.
until i get some rest
I just need a break and some space to heal and restore my energy.
Contributed by Henry F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tom LA Books
Excellent overview. I’m reading it now, in the same Word on Fire edition. Very powerful book. And good to connect with you here, in our channels we seem to have similar tastes.
Searching The Archives
Thanks Tom - your channel looks great, I'll be checking it out in the coming days. I wish I was able to read the Divine Comedy in Italian :)
Deyton Ybarra
Appreciate the Review