"If you can't fuck or fight to it, it's no good," proclaims Skrape drummer and band co-founder Will Hunt.
"That's the context for us. It's gotta have rhythm and an incredible groove you can shake your ass to." Up the Dose has all that and more. The band's second album for RCA finds the Orlando-based quintet in a different musical head space from when they released 2001's brutal yet melodic New Killer America--which pummeled active rock radio in the States with the singles "Waste" and "Isolated"-- and rose quickly to become the twelfth best-selling album in Japan. A festival in Japan, a gig in Korea with that country's most famous band, Seo Taiji, and a U.S. tour with Disturbed found Skrape playing for thousands of fanatical converts. Skrape songs also found their way into video games, including Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4 and their album cover even won awards. Skrape also created their own video for "What You Say," performance intercut with Japanamation, subsequent to the clip for first single "Waste." Clearly a motivated bunch of musicians, Skrape also take life lessons to heart, as gleaned in the sentiments expressed on Up The Dose.
“Over the last few years there were a lot of highlights…and some lowlights," explains Hunt. "And it all has to do with where we are at right now, which is a great place." A 2001 tour with the Pantera, Slayer and Morbid Angel "gave us a lot of thick skin," Hunt says of the intense, aggro crowds they faced nightly. "We were like, 'if you don't like us, well good, here's another one!’" he laughs of Skrape's uncompromising performances and 'tude. Adds Keeton, “My experiences on tour with Phil Anselmo were life-changing to me as a musician, as a frontman and as a songwriter.”
The Pantera tour also weeded out any weak links in the band. So it was with a new guitarist (Randy Melser replacing axeman Mike Lynchard), a new management company and a renewed spirit that Skrape wrote and then recorded their sophomore effort with producer Jimbo Barton (Queensryche, Godsmack) in Miami, Los Angeles and Orlando. "We wanted old school,” said Hunt. “We are big fans of how Jimbo's records sounded; sonically, they hold up." Barton also developed a strong bond with Keeton during the recording process. “He was able to bring my vocal performance up to another level entirely. He and I just clicked. Jimbo created a atmosphere that allowed me to explode vocally.”
After Skrape's demise, Keeton formed a band called Blessed In Black with former Nothingface/current Hellyeah guitarist Tom Maxwell. The band didn't last and broke up within a year.
Origin Orlando, Florida, U.S
Year active 1995
2004
The Ocean
Skrape Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In my mind, the oceans cold
I, I cant wait on you
My time is now, and now that its true
If I cant find, find my way to the sand
Ill dream that I, I see sun on the waters edge
But my visions blurred, the suns in my eyes
I,Im driving the backroads
In my mind, the oceans cold
If I cant find, find my way to the sand
Ill dream that I, I see sun on the waters edge
Imagine the sunshines on your back
If time stood still, You know Id be back
If I cant find, find my way to the sand
Ill dream that I, I see sun on the waters edge
The oceans cold, The oceans cold
Im going away
Ill run away
Go a distance for
Ill run away, away
Ill run away
Go a distance for you
Ill run away, away for you
In Skrape's song The Ocean, the singer is driving alone on back roads while imagining the ocean, which is cold, in his mind. He cannot wait for anyone else's company and decides that his time is now. He expresses a desire to find his way to the sand, where he can feel the sun on his back. However, he acknowledges that his vision is blurred, and the sun's glare is in his eyes. Despite this, he continues driving, knowing that he will travel far.
The singer longs for the sun on the water's edge, and even if he cannot physically get there, he will dream of it. He imagines the sun shining on his back and wishes that time could stand still so he could stay in that moment forever. However, he acknowledges that he must leave, as the ocean is cold, and he cannot stay there forever.
The song is full of yearning and frustration, as the singer longs for the beach, but at the same time, can't seem to find it. The repetition of the line "If I can't find, find my way to the sand, I'll dream that I, I see sun on the water's edge," emphasizes this longing and hints at the idea that sometimes, dreams may be the only way to attain what we truly desire.
Line by Line Meaning
I, Im driving the backroads
I am taking the less traveled path in my life journey
In my mind, the oceans cold
Despite my desire to be near the ocean, I am hindered by the mental barriers holding me back
I, I cant wait on you
I cannot delay my plans any longer for anyone
My time is now, and now that its true
I must seize the moment because my opportunity is here
If I cant find, find my way to the sand
If I am unable to reach my destination, I will dream of being there instead
Ill dream that I, I see sun on the waters edge
I will visualize the beauty of the ocean, and imagine being there
I, I will travel far
I am determined to go great distances to find what I am looking for
But my visions blurred, the suns in my eyes
My path forward is unclear, and my view is obscured by obstacles
Imagine the sunshines on your back
Picture the rays of the sun hitting your back, providing the warmth and comfort of the beach
If time stood still, You know Id be back
If time would pause, I would return to where I have been and be with the ones I cherish
The oceans cold, The oceans cold
The reality of the situation is harsh and unwelcoming
Im going away
I am leaving my old life behind and moving on to new opportunities
Ill run away
I am willing to escape from what has constrained me and travel toward something unknown
Go a distance for
I am prepared to go to great lengths for what I want
Ill run away, away
I will runaway, without hesitation
Ill run away
I am willing to escape from what has constrained me and travel toward something unknown
Go a distance for you
I am willing to go the distance to be with you
Ill run away, away for you
I will go great lengths and take huge risks for you
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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