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)
Phoenix
Sparks The Rescue Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why does she always fly away
Oh when I'm feeling as she burns me up inside
Behind those charcoal eyes
I took a breath and let her go
She's as bright as the snow oh ohh oh
So fly away start over somewhere south
She'd love me to come out
Across the Midwest in the day
Drove a car all the way to Denver
Called me to say she loved the way the mountains still had snow in the
Summer
I took a breath and held it in
No she's never coming back again
Fly away start over somewhere south
She says that the weather's nice
She'd love me to come out
Go on and fly away
It's not like I need her now
As I'm burning up inside
I'll forgive her somehow
Fly away start over somewhere south
She says that the weather's nice
But I'd love you to come out
Found a way to break in to your chest
And devour what I find into pieces
Take my time
Fly away start over somewhere south
She says that the weather's nice
But I'd love you to come out
Go on and fly away
It's not like I need her now
As I'm burning up inside
I'll forgive her somehow
She's a phoenix I watched her spread her wings
Why does she always fly away
The song "Phoenix" by Sparks The Rescue is about a woman who continuously leaves the singer, but he still forgives her and remains hopeful that she will come back to him. The metaphor of a phoenix is used to describe the woman as she continuously rises and falls like a bird of flame. The singer watches her as she spreads her wings and flies away, leaving him burning up inside. He longs for her to stay, but ultimately lets her go.
Throughout the song, it is revealed that the woman has left the singer multiple times, and each time she does, she heads further south. Despite her leaving, the singer still has feelings for her and even considers following her to her new location. He reminisces about a time when she called him from Denver and expressed her love for the snow-capped mountains there.
The final verse implies a darker meaning behind the lyrics. It suggests that the singer wants to "break into" the woman's chest and "devour" what he finds. This could be interpreted as his desire to possess her or control her, which could be a possible reason for her continual departures.
Overall, "Phoenix" is a song that explores the complexity of love and relationships. It shows the struggle of wanting someone who keeps leaving, but still forgiving them because of the strong emotions attached to the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
She's a phoenix I watched her spread her wings
She's a strong and resilient person who has overcome tough times like the mythical phoenix and I've seen her grow and soar.
Why does she always fly away
I wonder why she loves to travel and explore new places, but I respect her freedom and desire for adventure.
Oh when I'm feeling as she burns me up inside
Sometimes her absence makes me feel like she's out of reach and the longing for her company can be overwhelming or painful.
Behind those charcoal eyes
There's a depth or mystery to her that's wrapped behind her dark, intense gaze and I'm curious to discover more about her.
I took a breath and let her go
I had to let her go, even if it was difficult, because I respect her individuality and ability to make her own choices.
She's as bright as the snow oh ohh oh
She's incredibly beautiful, both in appearance and personality, like the pristine, glistening snow that lights up the wintery landscape.
So fly away start over somewhere south
She wants to escape her current situation or surroundings and start fresh in a different, warmer location with better prospects for growth and happiness.
She says that the weather's nice
She's excited about the good weather and how it can lift her mood and spirits.
She'd love me to come out
She wishes I could join her and share her new experiences and adventures, but she understands if I can't or won't.
Across the Midwest in the day
She's travelled across the vast, flat region of America during daytime, probably enjoying the scenery and reflecting on her life.
Drove a car all the way to Denver
She took a long, tiring road trip to reach the Colorado city, maybe to visit someone or explore a new place.
Called me to say she loved the way the mountains still had snow in the Summer
She called me to express her admiration for the natural beauty of the mountains around Denver, especially how they keep a snowy look even in the warmer season.
I took a breath and held it in
Her call caught me by surprise, but I managed to control my emotions and listen attentively to her words.
No she's never coming back again
I realize that she's moved on with her life and won't return to our old relationship or situation, but I accept this fact and wish her well.
It's not like I need her now
I've learned to cope with her absence and become more independent, even if I still miss her sometimes.
Found a way to break in to your chest
I've found a way to connect with her at a deeper emotional level and discover what makes her tick or what makes her vulnerable, despite her outward strength.
And devour what I find into pieces
I'm willing to explore the complexity of her character and digest every aspect of it, no matter how hard or painful it might be, because I care for her and want to understand her better.
Take my time
I'll be patient and gentle as I navigate her emotional landscape and try to win her trust, knowing that it may take time and effort to break through her defenses.
Contributed by Thomas R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@tinkerbaby18
One of my favorites from their EP !
@wescaouette
absolutely awesome! this song kinda reminds me of parachute. nice to hear a slow song from them!