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)
Need You Now
Sparks The Rescue Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Reaching for the phone cause I can't fight it anymore
And I wonder if I ever cross your mind
For me it happens all the time
It's a quarter after one, I'm all alone and I need you now
I said I wouldn't call but I lost all control and I need you now
Still I don't know how to do without, well I just need you now
Another shot of whiskey can't stop staring at the door
And I'm hoping you'd come sweeping in the way you did before
And I wonder if I ever cross your mind
For me it happens all the time
It's a quarter after one, I'm a little drunk and I need you now
I said I wouldn't call but I lost all control and I need you now
Still I don't know how I can do without, well I just need you now
Guess I'd rather hurt than feel nothing at all
It's a quarter after one, I'm a little drunk and I need you now
I said I wouldn't call but I lost all control and I need you now
And darling I don't know how to do without, well I just need you now
It's a quarter after one, I'm all alone and I need you now
I said I wouldn't call but I lost all control and I need you now
Still I don't know how to do without, well I just need you now
Ohh baby I need you now
Darling I don't know how to do without, well I just need you now
"Need You Now" by Sparks the Rescue is a heart-wrenching ballad that expresses the desperation of a person who misses their ex-partner. The opening lyrics "Picture perfect memories scattered all around the floor / Reaching for the phone cause I can't fight it anymore" suggest that the singer is surrounded by memories of their past relationship, and they cannot resist the urge to reach out to their ex. The line "And I wonder if I ever cross your mind / For me it happens all the time" highlights the contrast between the singer's constant thoughts of their partner and the uncertainty of whether their ex still thinks about them.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "I need you now" several times, emphasizing the intensity of the singer's desire to be with their ex. The second verse adds another layer to this feeling of desperation, describing the singer's attempt to drown their sorrows in alcohol. However, despite their drunken state, they remain fixated on the possibility of their ex returning to them. The bridge of the song, "Guess I'd rather hurt than feel nothing at all," is a poignant reminder that the pain of missing their ex is preferable to the emptiness of not feeling anything at all.
Overall, "Need You Now" is a raw and emotional portrayal of the longing for a past love. The repetition of the chorus, coupled with the imagery of memories scattered on the floor and the taste of whiskey on the singer's lips, creates a sense of desperation and heartbreak that is relatable to anyone who has experienced a painful breakup.
Line by Line Meaning
Picture perfect memories scattered all around the floor
The singer is surrounded by reminders of a past relationship.
Reaching for the phone cause I can't fight it anymore
The singer is desperate to contact their ex because they can't resist their feelings any longer.
And I wonder if I ever cross your mind
The singer is curious if their ex still thinks about them.
For me it happens all the time
The artist thinks about their ex frequently.
It's a quarter after one, I'm all alone and I need you now
The late hour and loneliness amplify the artist's desire for their ex's company.
I said I wouldn't call but I lost all control and I need you now
The singer tried to resist contacting their ex, but they can't hold back any longer.
Still I don't know how to do without, well I just need you now
The singer realizes they can't function without their ex and just wants them back.
Another shot of whiskey can't stop staring at the door
The artist is drinking to cope with their emotions, but can't help but hope for their ex's return.
And I'm hoping you'd come sweeping in the way you did before
The artist is reminiscing on past romantic gestures and hoping they will happen again.
Guess I'd rather hurt than feel nothing at all
The artist would rather endure the pain of missing their ex than feel nothing at all.
Ohh baby I need you now
The chorus repeats the singer's desperate plea for their ex's return.
Darling I don't know how to do without, well I just need you now
The artist addresses their ex and admits they can't live without them.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O DistroKid, Round Hill Music Big Loud Songs, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Joshua Kear, Hillary Scott, Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind