Showoff was formed in 1997 in Villa Park, Illinois. In the beginning the idea was to start a 50s style rock 'n roll group. The band consisted of Chris Envy (a.k.a. Chris Messer) (vocals/guitar), Daniel Castady (drums), Graham Jordan (guitar), and Dave Envy (a.k.a. Dave Hyde) (bass).
Very early on they needed a P.A. for practice, and Dan looked up old friend and ex band mate Dave Hyde, knowing he had one. When Dan and Chris went to pick up the P.A., Dave and Chris hit it off instantly. They invited Dave to see them practice. A few days later Dave watched them practice in Graham's garage. He was impressed with what he heard, but felt there was a weak link in thier bass player. Dave was forward about this and offered his services as a bass player. A few days later Dave was the newest member of Showoff. Him and Chris became inseperable and Dave took on the name Envy to show his brotherhood with Chris. Within the first 10 days of Dave Envy joining the group, they recorded their first album, "Around The Corner...Fudge Is Made", an ode to The Mr. T Experience album "Milk, Milk, Lemonade."
When you look at the history of these members, you could easily say that Showoff was a local super group. Chris fronted the band AYA, who had a very sucessfull run in the Chicagoland area. Dan and Dave spent a few years together in the hardcore band Those Naked Guys. During that same time Graham was in a hardcore band called A.P.B. After their bands broke up, Dan and Graham would go on to be a part of the band The Brockmeyers. Dave was also a member of The Brockmeyers for two days. Dave also played in the band Racecar with Jeff Prescott who before that was in 30 Seconds Deep. Dave would also form the short lived Spoiled Brat right before joining Showoff. There are a lot of other bands they all took part in before coming together before Showoff. Needless to say, when Showoff hit the ground, they did so running.
"Around The Corner" did very well on a local level. Showoff would play every chance they had, and had built a very strong following fast. They were given the chance to open for the band Goldfinger, where they would give "Around The Corner" to John Feldman. Showoff would leave for a small tour with Pezz and while in Tennesse, got a phone call from Fledman, asking them to come out and finish the Goldfinger tour. This would prove to be a defining moment in Showoff history.
John Feldman would go on to produce and record Showoff in his home in L.A. while helping them shop the demos for a record deal. Eventually in 1998 they would sign with Maverick Records while it was owned by Madonna. On July 13th, 1999 Showoff would release their debut, self titled album with Maverick. They spent more time touring than anything. A lot of the time with Feldman's Goldfinger.
They would also add guitar player, old friend, and guitar tech, Magoo to the mix and Chris was free to sing.
By late 2000, the band was in the studio working on their second record for Maverick. This time with produced Mark Trombino. Before recording started, Graham had left the band and was replaced by Kyle Lewis. The band had a rough year and was seemingly coming apart. They tried to put this energy into the new recordings. By the time the record was about done, Dave had finally threw in the towel. A short time later, Showoff would cut ties with Maverick Records and their management as well. The band added Nate Envy in place of Dave and tried to find a new home for their record while touring. By late 2001 the band would finally call it quits.
Showoff disbanded circa 2002, following a change in ownership of the label from Madonna to Fredrick DeMann. This restructuring, along with increasing friction within the group, led to the dissolution of the band without any indication of reforming. They left an unreleased album with producer Mark Trombino.
In late 2005, Chris Envy re-formed Showoff with all new members. They included Nate Envy (aka Nate Thruman), (lead guitar), Carl Kush (bass), and ex-August Premier Mickey Molinari (drums). Rhythm guitarist Lance Tamras was added shortly thereafter. They recorded and released Waiting for you, an EP that was produced by Marc McClusky. Showoff broke up again in late 2006.
Chris later formed Farewell My Enemy. Chris and Nate are now in the band The Get Go and also features members of Mest and Allister (whom Kyle was a member of after Showoff). Graham went to college and continues to perform music localy. Daniel is now in The Fold. Dave has multiple independent projects, the most recent being Jesus Fucking Christ and the God Damn Its. Dave is also currently running Riotous Records, a small record label, with his wife.
www.myspace.com/showoffrock
Falling Star
Showoff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's something you said, it's just another stupid answer
Running inside my head.
Tell you what you should do,
It's just something I'll say, it's just another stupid reason
For me to run away.
And baby, I get so lonely, I feel so lonely
That I needed you by my side, but you'll never be back and
Baby, well it seems I couldn't hold on.
Well, no matter how much I tried, she's a falling star that
Lost her love.
I'll tell you what's bothering me,
It's just something I've seen, things used to be so simple.
Tell me, do you know what I mean?
[Chorus]
Well all that we talk about now is
Memories that fade with a kiss.
Our love is a star up above (Stars shining they shine from above)
And a Falling Star is a star that lost it's love.
The lyrics in Showoff's song "Falling Star" convey a sense of frustration and sorrow over a lost relationship. The opening line sets the tone for the song, suggesting that the singer is bothered by something that was said by their former partner. It seems that the response they received was unsatisfactory and is now haunting them. The singer then tells the former partner what they should do, which is likely to leave, indicating that the relationship is beyond repair.
The chorus is where the heartbreak becomes most apparent. There's a palpable loneliness that it's clear the singer is unable to shake off, even with the absence of their former partner. They state that they "needed you by my side," but know that they'll "never be back." The use of the metaphor "falling star" to describe their lost love is a poignant touch. It implies that the love that once shone brightly has faded and fallen from the sky. The last verse discusses how their relationship has now dwindled down to just memories, which are beginning to fade with each passing day. The sadness is amplified by the knowledge that their love was once like a star, bright and beautiful, but now it has faded and become just another falling star.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll tell you what's bothering me,
I'm going to reveal what's weighing on my mind.
It's something you said, it's just another stupid answer
Your thoughtless response is the root of my frustration.
Running inside my head.
It's constantly replaying in my mind.
Tell you what you should do,
Let me give you some advice.
It's just something I'll say, it's just another stupid reason for me to run away.
My words are just an excuse to push you away.
[Chorus]
The repeated refrain of the song.
And baby, I get so lonely, I feel so lonely
The loneliness is consuming me.
That I needed you by my side, but you'll never be back
I long for your presence, but I know I can't have it again.
and Baby, well it seems I couldn't hold on.
I couldn't keep our love from slipping away.
Well, no matter how much I tried, she's a falling star that lost her love.
Despite my efforts, our relationship was doomed to fail.
I'll tell you what's bothering me,
Again, I'm going to share what's troubling me.
It's just something I've seen, things used to be so simple.
The world was once straightforward, now everything is more complicated.
Tell me, do you know what I mean?
Can you relate to my struggle?
[Chorus]
The refrain repeats.
Well all that we talk about now is memories that fade with a kiss.
All we have left to discuss are fleeting memories.
Our love is a star up above (Stars shining they shine from above)
Our relationship was once glowing and full of promise.
And a Falling Star is a star that lost it's love.
Now it's a failed relationship, a star that has fallen from the sky.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CHRISTOPHER W. MESSER, JOHN FELDMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SuperNuela
man, let me tell you a story. I'm from Venezuela and one day (ten years ago) my dad was on a business trip in L.A i think and he suddenly hears "ralphie" coming from a record store, he loved the song so he (being a cool dad) bought me a cd, to this day, a grown 29 years old man listens to that record at least once a month, you guys are amazing. Love and much respect.
dearghost
I remember going to one of their shows when I was about 15 down in south Florida. I don't remember the actual show or who else they played with, but I remember bringing my cd so they could sign it. When I asked Chris to sign it he was so shocked and asked me where I got it from and he looked genuinely surprised and happy about it. Their drummer was also such a sweet heart, he talked to my friend and I for a while too before and after the show (and he remembered us the next time we saw them). Its a pretty simply memory but some of the bands out at that time were kinda dicks and wouldn't really talk to anyone so these guys hold a special place in my teenage pop-punk heart
The Fold
Hey it's me Dan, the drummer. I agree, the other bands were DICKS! haha
alex caytuiro
que buena es esta cancion uno de los mejores temas pop punk de todos los tiempos y es de 1999 lamentablemente esta gran banda pudo haber sido mas de lo que fue sino fuera por que se desintegrara en el 2002 en pleno apogeo del genero a mi parecer una de las mejores bandas de pop punk
bigdaddycmoney
These guys are back playing shows! I was lucky enough to see them last year when they opened for MXPX and Allister in Chicago.
Christopher Messer
For those that are interested, Showoff is back! We have a new EP coming out soon. Please check out our Facebook page. 3 of the 4 original members. Thanks all,
Chris
sep Avila
+Chris Envy really?
Jon Robert
+Chris Envy And... Playing with Less Than Jake! What a surprise
Christopher Messer
+sep Avila Yep! We are playing out quite a bit.
Christopher Messer
+Jon Robert Yeah, we are stoked about that show. Sold out crazy fast.. as all LTJ shows.