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)
Pine Tree State
Sparks The Rescue Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I just hoped it meant more, yeah that you missed to kiss this mouth
I'm always speeding up and slowing down
I've got vertigo, put me underground
I think I'm losing control
I'm gonna find my way back to the pine tree state
Hello darling, thanks for the call, yeah the weathers great
But I've been lonely yeah, you miss all the important dates
I'm always speeding up and slowing down
I'm always on the go, now I'm sick as hell
I think I'm losing control
I'm gonna find my way back to the pine tree state
In the midnight of summer where the rain and thunder play
Play out like fireworks over the interstate
You are my north star when I'm lost and far away
Wait for me, I'll be coming back around
Break into the front door of your house
Stand before me, I'll put this suitcase down
Cause I ain't over you, I know it's overdue
I'm gonna find my way back to the pine tree state
In the midnight of summer where the rain and thunder play
Play out like fireworks over the interstate
You are my north star when I'm lost and far away
Cause you're my north star when I'm lost and far away
The song "Pine Tree State" by Sparks The Rescue is a heartfelt love ballad about missing someone and wanting to return to the place where the relationship began. The opening lines of the song show the singer leaving, but not wanting to leave without some kind of recognition from their significant other. There is a feeling of disappointment and longing in the lyrics when the singer says, "I just hoped it meant more, yeah that you missed to kiss this mouth." The second verse deepens this feeling of sadness, with the singer expressing how they have been sick and feeling out of control.
The chorus is the most powerful part of the song, with the singer expressing their desire to return to the pine tree state, which is their home and the place where they fell in love. The imagery of the "midnight of summer where the rain and thunder play" creates a sense of longing and desire for something that is unattainable. The song ends with the singer begging for forgiveness and proclaiming their love for the person they left behind.
Overall, "Pine Tree State" is a powerful song that expresses the complexity of human emotions. It's about missing someone and wanting to return to a place that was once home, while also acknowledging the mistakes that were made.
Line by Line Meaning
Goodbye darling, I'll turn off the lights on my way out
Leaving you, I'll make sure to turn off the lights when I leave.
I just hoped it meant more, yeah that you missed to kiss this mouth
I wanted our relationship to mean more, that you missed me and my kisses.
I'm always speeding up and slowing down
I can never keep a consistent pace.
I've got vertigo, put me underground
I am dizzy and disoriented, put me in a place where I can rest.
I think I'm losing control
I feel like I am losing my ability to regulate my life.
I'm gonna find my way back to the pine tree state
I will return to my home state of Maine.
In the midnight of summer where the rain and thunder play
I will return to Maine in the summer, where the rain and thunderstorms are frequent.
Hello darling, thanks for the call, yeah the weathers great
Thank you for calling, the weather is nice.
But I've been lonely yeah, you miss all the important dates
I have been feeling lonely, and you have been missing important events.
I'm always on the go, now I'm sick as hell
I am always busy, and now I am extremely sick.
Wait for me, I'll be coming back around
Please wait for me, I will return eventually.
Break into the front door of your house
I will make a grand entrance into your life.
Stand before me, I'll put this suitcase down
When I see you, I will be ready to settle down and stay a while.
Cause I ain't over you, I know it's overdue
I am not over you, and I know it has been a long time.
Play out like fireworks over the interstate
Our reunion will be a grand celebration, like fireworks over the highway.
You are my north star when I'm lost and far away
You are my guiding light when I am lost and far away from home.
Cause you're my north star when I'm lost and far away
You always lead me back to where I belong, even when I am far away from home.
Contributed by Parker B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.