Doubtlessly the band’s hardest hitting effort to date, 'Based On A True Story' easily meets the high quality of its predecessor and offers tons of soon-to-be-classic hardcore hymns like 'Dominated', 'Long As She’s Standing', 'The Divide' and 'Lowest Common Denominator. It features the most catchy and powerful material the band has ever written. It’s astonishing to see the band still boiling with rage at a world gone wrong and successfully transforming this natural and honest aggressiveness into hardcore hits. Two decades of experience as skilful songwriters, endless touring, plus an undying hardcore spirit make SICK OF IT ALL anno 2010 sound stronger and more determined than ever. 'Based On A True Story' is undeniable proof that the quartet is simply unstoppable and unrivalled within the hardcore scene in terms of quality and sheer impact.
Formed during 1986 in Queens, the band released their first self-titled EP on Revelation Records and began to accumulate a strong local following by playing famous clubs like CBGBs ('A Month Of Sundays' actually pays tribute to these glorious days at this legendary venue). Soon after, the band released their first full-length record 'Blood Sweat And No Tears' on In-Effect Records. Often revolving around politics, social injustices and life on the streets of New York, the band wore their heart on their sleeve and made no apologies, often including threads of positivity. When their second album 'Just Look Around' was released in 1992, it was a benchmark for the band and the New York hardcore scene, and kicked off their globe-trotting expansion with tours in Europe, South America and Japan. They released their breakthrough album 'Scratch The Surface' in 1994 on Atlantic, followed by the seminal album 'Built To Last' in 1997. After releasing three albums on Fat Wreck Chords, as well as a live album and a collection of rarities, the band took on the challenge to push themselves further. 'Death To Tyrants' was the band’s first cooperation with Century Media and was mixed by renowned metal producer Tue Madsen (The Haunted, Heaven Shall Burn, Dark Tranquillity,) adding a refreshingly heavy edge to the band’s trademark NYHC sound. 'Death To Tyrants' was extremely well received by media and fans alike and followed up with three years of relentless touring.
The new album was also recorded with Tue Madsen, this time at Starstruck Studios in Copenhagen in Copenhagen, Denmark, resulting in a massive metallic heaviness which increases the punch and drive of the new opus. Craig Ahead (bass) comments: “The end result of our three and a half weeks in the studio is something that we are all very proud of. An album that is pure SICK OF IT ALL and will stand up against any of our previous work and I believe raises the bar to a new standard. I hope you enjoy our offerings. We look forward to its release so we can again stomp the world. See you on tour!“ To walk the talk, the band plays a European tour with Dropkick Murphys in January/February 2010, followed by a UK run with AFI in April. More festival shows and touring activities are in the works.
'Based On A True Story' is another sonic statement that SICK OF IT ALL are an institution of hardcore. Their longevity and conviction has kept the band’s reputation untarnished and legendary. As Metal Hammer (UK) puts it: “SICK OF IT ALL – despite their ever-increasing age and fierce competition – are still the finest spokesmen for hardcore’s social conscience and values”, and this new release will allow them to maintain this leading position for many years to come!
What's Going On
Sick of It All Lyrics
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Take a look around and you will see that we're destroying ourselves
Does everybody out there have a chip on their shoulders
Or is it that we've got nothing, nothing better to do
Beatings of five to one wasn't enough
Now we're using everything from chains
To knives and guns
Before we realize it's such a senseless waste
Does anybody out there hear the cries
Of mothers who have lost their children
To your foolish games
When are you gonna realize
That it's all just, just a senseless waste
You think that it's just a game
Well, I've got one thing to explain
Someday your luck will fail
Then you'll wind up dead or jailed
The lyrics to Sick of It All's song "What's Going On" highlight the issue of violence and destruction prevalent in society. The first lines of the song, "Does anybody realize what's goin' on? Take a look around and you will see that we're destroying ourselves," sets the tone for the entire song. The band calls for a realization that our destructive behavior is harming us and that we are the ones responsible for it. The song questions why people have a chip on their shoulders and feel the need to resort to violence. It suggests that perhaps, it is because people have nothing better to do, and they are looking for excitement in all the wrong places.
The song then goes on to highlight the severity of the issue. It speaks about how people initially used to resort to physical violence with their bare hands but now use weapons such as chains, knives, and guns. The lyrics ask how much more of this destruction we need to witness before we realize it is a senseless waste.
The final verse of the song talks about the collateral damage of such violent behavior. It calls out to those who play these foolish games to recognize the cries of mothers who have lost their children to these senseless acts. The lyrics end with a clear message: violence is never a game, and those who resort to it will eventually find themselves dead or jailed.
Overall, Sick of It All's "What's Going On" is a song with a message of stopping the violence and destruction that we bring upon ourselves. It urges people to take a moment and realize that our actions affect not just ourselves but the people around us as well.
Line by Line Meaning
Does anybody realize what's goin' on
Wondering whether anyone is aware of the current state of affairs
Take a look around and you will see that we're destroying ourselves
The evidence of our self-destruction is readily observable
Does everybody out there have a chip on their shoulders
Are people always angry and looking for a fight?
Or is it that we've got nothing, nothing better to do
The violence and aggression could stem from a lack of productive outlets for energy
Beatings of five to one wasn't enough
People have moved beyond fistfights to using weapons to inflict harm
Now we're using everything from chains
Physical objects like chains are now frequently utilised as weapons in conflicts
To knives and guns
Weapons of increasing severity are becoming more commonplace
How much more of this do we have to take
Expressing frustration with the continued existence of senseless violence
Before we realize it's such a senseless waste
Calling attention to the uselessness and negative effects of engaging in violent behavior
Does anybody out there hear the cries
Wondering if anyone is listening to the grief and pain of those who suffer due to violence
Of mothers who have lost their children
Specifically noting the deep impact violence has on families and loved ones
To your foolish games
Referring to the violence as childish and unnecessary
When are you gonna realize
Challenging the perpetrators of violence to understand the pointlessness of their actions
That it's all just, just a senseless waste
Reiterating that the cycle of violence serves no purpose
You think that it's just a game
Noting that some individuals treat violence as though it were just for fun or entertainment
Well, I've got one thing to explain
The singer is about to provide a warning or insight into what truly awaits those who resort to violence
Someday your luck will fail
Eventually, even the most fortunate of individuals who engage in violent behavior will have their luck run out
Then you'll wind up dead or jailed
The likely consequences of a life of violence are either dying or ending up in prison.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALFRED W CLEVELAND, MARVIN P GAYE, RENALDO BENSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind