Channeling modern rock influences into anthemic choruses and themes of lust, loss and embracing your inner demons, Sparks The Rescue return with 12 impressive edgy pop-rock tracks on new album Worst Thing I've Been Cursed With. The band's second full-length is a step forward for the band, blending sassy lyrics and the dynamic, unique vocals of frontman Alex Roy into the melodic, infectious songs the five-piece have become known for.
The group is comprised of Alex Roy (vocals), Patrick O’Connell (guitar), Toby McAllister (guitar), Ben Briggs (bass), and Nathan Spencer (drums). Seasoned musicians of over a decade, the crew started playing together in high school where they spawned from three local bands. They shared stages frequently at local shows and events until they decided in 2005 to become one single entity, Sparks The Rescue (deriving their name from Nicolas Sparks’ novel The Rescue).
In 2007, STR released a six-song digital EP, The Secrets We Can't Keep on Double Blind Music. It didn’t take long for their music to catch the ear of WCYY’s Mark Kurdo, and soon the EP was getting heavy rotation on “Spin Out,” a weekly program that features local artists. Requests started pouring in for their tracks to get regular airplay on the station, and STR went on to sell over 10,000 units of their EP on iTunes as their fan base grew exponentially. Their success has stemmed from their popularity at WCYY, and they haven’t forgotten that. They’ve played over 300 shows to date and have shared the stage with great bands including All Time Low, Hawthorne Heights, As Tall As Lions, Mayday Parade, Chiodos, Forever the Sickest Kids, Mayday Parade and A Static Lullaby.
Sparks The Rescue released their debut full-length album Eyes To The Sun in 2009 on Fearless Records. Produced by Jonathan Wyman of Halo Studios, the album has gained rave reviews, with tracks receiving play on MTV’s The Hills and Real World: Cancun. 2009 was quite the year for the band, who has toured Europe with The All-American Rejects, hit the road with Hit The Lights and won MTV/Garnier's battle of the bands contest to appear at MTVU's Woodie Awards. But there's no resting for them, as they rounded off the year winning the hearts of every teenage vampire lover out there with their killer new video for single "We Love Like Vampires".
2010 found the band playing Warped Tour in its entirety along with contributing a single to compilation Punk Goes Pop 3. Most of their time in 2010 was spent writing and preparing to record their highly anticipated follow-up to Eyes to the Sun. The quintet is currently on the road with Go Radio on The District Lines Tour. "Worst Thing I've Been Cursed With" was released in 2011 on Fearless Records.
The band's new self-titled EP was released on August 28, 2012, and on August 13, the band released a music video for their new song "Disaster," which featured former member Marty McMorrow doing guest vocals and synthesizers. This led to many fans believing he had rejoined the band; however, in response to YouTube comments on the video, Marty stated that he did not rejoin, and that he was "just helping out some friends."
On December 21, 2012, the band announced on Facebook that Mike Naran, David Pait, and Dylan Taylor's last show would be December 22, 2012, at The Space in Hamden, CT. Roy and McAllister toured acoustically in early 2013 as Sparks the Rescue, and in April 2013 the band released promotion photographs with Mat Petrin (bassist) and Nick Bilotta (drummer), who are also members of Roy's side-project band Holly Heist and original high school band 2 Girls Later. The band began performing with this lineup as a four piece in the Spring of 2013, and released a new EP titled "Truth Inside the Fiction" on July 30, 2013. The EP debuted at #33 on the iTunes Top Pop Albums Chart.
On July 21, 2013, Roy and Bilotta along with a new guitarist, booked a cover show in Portland's historic downtown district at a night club called Oasis.
In the summer of 2013, the band announced the Taking The D-Tour with opening bands Kingsfoil (featuring Frankie Muniz on drums) and Lion In The Mane. The band continues to play cover shows under the STR name with a new line-up including Matt Libby (rhythm guitar/vocals), a member of Bilotta's former project The Derek Wilkinson Band. No more tours have been announced and the band is actively playing cover shows at colleges, casinos, and tourist destinations. Bilotta's departure from the band remains unknown, with no announcements made by him or the band. His last shows were in Key West at Sloppy Joe's in September 2014. Spencer is currently reseated on the drums.
Members:
Alex Roy – Vocals (2006-present)
Toby McAllister – Lead Guitar/Vocals (1999-present)
Matt Libby - Rhythm Guitar (2014-present)
Mat Petrin - Bass (2013-present)
Nate Spencer - Drums (1999-2012, 2014-present)
Marty McMorrow - Keyboards (2005-2008)
Pat O'Connell - Rhythm Guitar/Vocals (2005-2010)
Ben Briggs - Bass (1999-2011)
Mike Naran - Rhythm Guitar (2010-2012)
David Pait - Bass (2011-2012)
Dylan Taylor - Drums (2012)
Nick Bilotta - Drums (2013-2014)
My Heart Radio
Sparks The Rescue Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I said Mikey Love just struck out on the floor
These drugs will make your heart stop
But oh we just keep coming back for more
Whoa my heart radio is set to explode
Whoa instead I'm just dancing with you all alone
Came in your window and across the floor
To where she keeps her door locked
I swear she doesn't love me I just keep her warm
Whoa my heart radio is set to explode
Whoa instead I'm just dancing with you all alone
Through the static you were the only one
You were my S.O.S when I had the weakest love
Come on and fix me but now you tear me up
And wear me out like I'm all around
And through the static whoa you were the only station on my Heart radio
Whoa she got me naked
Whoa smoked up in her basement
Whoa well aww can you take it?
Or do you gotta leave? Do you gotta leave?
Through the static you were the only one
You were my S.O.S when I had the weakest love
Come on and fix me but now you tear me up
And wear me out like I'm all around
And through the static whoa you were the only station on my Heart radio
(You're the only station on) My heart radio
(You're the only station on) My heart radio
(You're the only station on) My heart radio is set to explode
The lyrics of the song My Heart Radio by Sparks The Rescue illustrate the addiction of drugs and the simultaneously intoxicating yet dangerous love the singer experiences with his partner. The first verse talks about getting high and potentially dying from the drugs they are consuming, yet they continue to come back for more because of how good it feels. The chorus relates to the singer's heart feeling like it's going to explode with the intensity of their emotions, but instead of going off the rails, he's dancing with his partner, highlighting the idea that love keeps him grounded.
In the second verse, the singer wakes up with his partner, but he feels like he is only around to keep her warm instead of being genuinely cared for. While the sun brings light into the room, their relationship is a source of darkness that is kept locked away. The chorus repeats the idea of the singer feeling like his heart is going to explode but being grounded by dancing with his partner alone.
The bridge delves into the idea of the partner being the only thing keeping the singer connected to reality. She was his "S.O.S" when he had weak love, but now his addiction to her tears him apart. She wears him out, but he can't leave her because she's the only thing keeping him grounded. The final chorus repeats the idea of the singer's heart exploding but having his partner on his "Heart Radio" - meaning, she still has control of his feelings and thoughts.
Overall, the song illustrates the complicated and tumultuous relationship of two people who both have their own issues and find comfort in each other but also end up destroying each other.
Line by Line Meaning
We were getting fucked up
We were consuming drugs and alcohol heavily.
I said Mikey Love just struck out on the floor
I witnessed someone named Mikey Love collapsing on the ground, presumably due to drug or alcohol abuse
These drugs will make your heart stop
The drugs being consumed are dangerous and could result in serious health issues or death
But oh we just keep coming back for more
Despite the risks, we continue to abuse drugs and alcohol
Whoa my heart radio is set to explode
I am feeling overwhelmed or emotional; my heart is beating uncontrollably
Whoa instead I'm just dancing with you all alone
Despite feeling overwhelmed, I am finding solace in being with someone I care about
The sun it woke us both up
We slept together and were awakened by the sunlight streaming through the window
Came in your window and across the floor
The sunlight entered the room through the window and illuminated the floor
To where she keeps her door locked
Referring to a female who keeps her emotions guarded and may not be receptive to love
I swear she doesn't love me I just keep her warm
I believe the woman I am with does not have real feelings for me, but I am content with filling a temporary physical need for her
Through the static you were the only one
Despite chaos and distractions around me, the person I care about is the only one who has my attention
You were my S.O.S when I had the weakest love
When I was at my lowest point emotionally, my loved one was there to provide support and help me through it
Come on and fix me but now you tear me up
I once looked to this person for help and healing, but now they are the cause of my pain and heartache
And wear me out like I'm all around
I am emotionally drained and feeling overwhelmed
And through the static whoa you were the only station on my Heart radio
Even amidst confusion and difficulty, my loved one remains the only constant source of comfort and support in my life
Whoa she got me naked
I am vulnerable and exposed with this woman
Whoa smoked up in her basement
We consumed drugs in a private, secluded area together
Whoa well aww can you take it?
I question whether the woman I am with is ready and prepared for the emotional toll of being with me
Or do you gotta leave? Do you gotta leave?
I am worried that this woman will ultimately leave me
(You're the only station on) My heart radio
My loved one is the only one who can calm and comfort me, like a beloved station on the radio
(You're the only station on) My heart radio
I am emphasizing the importance of this person in my life
(You're the only station on) My heart radio is set to explode
My emotions and feelings are incredibly strong, and this person is the only one who can manage them
Contributed by Avery L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.