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)
Pangaea
Sparks The Rescue Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You see she sings when she comes out
She sings when she comes out
She sings when she comes
Hey little kitten sitting in the sunlight
I bet you're dreaming that you are a lion now
Cuz you are a lion now
Here's to the boys that stay up all night
Here's to the floors we passed out on
I dream of mornings in her bedroom
Where all my bad habits are gone
Cause I'm the bird outside your window
Singing songs before you wake
Oh it's just one heart break after one heart break tell me how much can you take
Straight faces and few one liners
Oh my
Sweet talk is
Just like sugar on your ta ta ta ta ta tongue
I'm just a lion lying to ya darling
Oh this crown means shit, no
I'm not the king
Oh, but I can give you anything
You know I can give you anything
You know I can, you know I can
Here's to the boys that stay up all night
Here's to the floors we passed out on
I dream of mornings in her bedroom
Where all my bad habits are gone
Cause I'm the bird outside your window
Singing songs before you wake
Oh it's just one heart break after one heart break tell me how much can you take
Here's to the boys who stay up all night
Here's to the floors we passed out on
I dream of mornings in her bedroom
Where all my bad habits are gone
Now I'm the bird outside your window
singing songs before you wake
its just one heartbreak after one heartbreak
tell me how much can you take?
Well to know...
The song "Pangaea" by Sparks The Rescue seems to be about young love and heartbreak. The lyrics describe a girl who initially hides away, but then opens up and reveals her singing voice. The singer compares her to a kitten dreaming of being a lion, indicating her potential and strength. The song then transitions into a nostalgic verse about spending time with someone special and dreaming of being in their bedroom where all bad habits are gone. The chorus repeats twice, highlighting the resilience required to keep going after heartbreak. The song ends with a reiteration of the chorus and a question about how much more heartbreak a person can take.
One of the interesting aspects of "Pangaea" is the use of the word to describe the title. Pangaea is the term used to describe the supercontinent that is believed to have existed millions of years ago, when all the current continents were joined together. It is a fitting metaphor for the united and strong love the singer is describing.
Another interesting fact is that Sparks The Rescue was formed in 2005 in Portland, Maine. The band members have changed throughout the years, but they continue to create and perform music.
The song "Pangaea" was released in 2011 on the band's album "Worst Thing I've Been Cursed With."
The band has described their music genre as rock and roll, emo pop, and alternative rock.
The band has toured with other well-known bands such as The All-American Rejects, The Maine, and The Starting Line.
In 2014, the band took a hiatus but reunited in 2020 to release a new single.
The use of animal metaphors to describe people and emotions is not uncommon in Sparks The Rescue's music.
The music video for "Pangaea" features the band performing on a beach and interacting with friends.
The lyrics in the song about staying up all night and passing out on floors could be interpreted as a nod to the party lifestyle often associated with young love and heartbreak.
The song has a catchy and upbeat melody, contrasting with the themes of heartbreak and resilience in the lyrics.
Chords (as interpreted by Ultimate Guitar):
Verse: C#m - A - E - B
Chorus: A - B - E - C#m
Line by Line Meaning
She hides like a turtle in a shell
She's shy and introverted, withdrawing herself from social situations to protect herself.
You see she sings when she comes out
When she comes out of her shell, she becomes more confident and expressive, showing her true self through singing.
She sings when she comes out
Repeating the previous line to emphasize that she's most comfortable expressing herself through singing when she's out of her shell.
She sings when she comes
Repeating the previous line but with a slight variation to add a more poetic feel to the song.
Hey little kitten sitting in the sunlight
Addressing someone who appears innocent and vulnerable, enjoying a moment of peace and warmth.
I bet you're dreaming that you are a lion now
Speculating that the innocent person may have aspirations or fantasies of becoming something more powerful and dominating.
Cuz you are a lion now
Affirming that the person is capable of being strong and fearless like a lion.
Oh god, you're such a lion
Adding an exclamation of awe or admiration to the previous statement about the person's strength and confidence.
Here's to the boys that stay up all night
Acknowledging and toasting to the male friends who enjoy staying up late and having fun together.
Here's to the floors we passed out on
Toasting to the shared memories of partying hard and getting so drunk that they pass out on the floor.
I dream of mornings in her bedroom
Expressing a desire or fantasy of waking up in a girl's bedroom.
Where all my bad habits are gone
Envisioning a place where one can start anew and leave behind any negative influences or habits.
Cause I'm the bird outside your window
Metaphorically comparing oneself to a bird perched outside someone's window, trying to connect with them through song.
Singing songs before you wake
Specifically mentioning that the bird sings before the other person wakes up, suggesting a feeling of anticipation or eagerness to communicate with them.
Oh it's just one heart break after one heart break tell me how much can you take
Expressing a sense of weariness or frustration with experiencing repeated heartbreaks, and questioning how much more one can handle.
Straight faces and few one liners
Describing a situation where people are serious and not talking much, possibly indicating tension or awkwardness in the air.
Oh my
Adding an expression of surprise or disbelief to the previous line.
Sweet talk is
Beginning a phrase that suggests that being charming or persuasive with words can be pleasurable, but also potentially manipulative.
Just like sugar on your ta ta ta ta ta tongue
Continuing the phrase with a playful and repetitive sound effect, likening sweet talk to a sugary substance that tastes good, but may not be good for you in excess.
I'm just a lion lying to ya darling
Admitting to being a lion (i.e. strong and confident), but also acknowledging that one is lying to the other person, possibly about one's intentions or feelings.
Oh this crown means shit, no
Expressing a sense of disillusionment or disappointment with something that was previously considered important or valuable (likely referring to a metaphorical crown).
I'm not the king
Rejecting the idea of having power or control over a situation, despite any previous indications to the contrary.
Oh, but I can give you anything
Offering the other person material or emotional things, despite not having a position of authority or control.
You know I can give you anything
Repeating the previous line to emphasize the sincerity of the statement.
Here's to the boys who stay up all night
Repeating a previous line but slightly rephrasing it for added emphasis and connection to the overall theme of the song.
Now I'm the bird outside your window
Repeating another previous line but changing the tense to suggest a shift in perspective or situation.
singing songs before you wake
Repeating the previous line but with no changes, suggesting the continuation of the same metaphor or sentiment.
its just one heartbreak after one heartbreak
Repeating a previous line that expresses frustration or exhaustion with repeated emotional pain.
tell me how much can you take?
Asking a rhetorical question that emphasizes the emotional toll of experiencing repeated heartbreaks.
Contributed by Liam I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Todd Watts
This chorus hits so hard, it's dope enough to carry the whole song.