Sparta got a deal with Dreamworks in 2001 and released their debut EP Austere in early 2002. They released their debut full-length album Wiretap Scars on August 13, 2002. The album is mostly influenced by their previous work with At the Drive-In, which is a contrast from The Mars Volta, formed by the other two ex-members of ATD-I, which departs entirely from post-hardcore and instead focuses on progressive rock or psychedelic rock. This album is also a lot cleaner and more accessible than At the Drive-In's experimentation.
On May 25, 2003, Ward's cousin Jeremy, the sound manipulator for The Mars Volta, died of a heroin overdose. Hinojos would leave Sparta in 2005 to join TMV as their secondary guitarist and filling in Jeremy Ward's position as sound manipulator. He was replaced by Keeley Davis (Engine Down, Denali).
Sparta's second full-length album Porcelain was released July 13, 2004 and peaked at #60 on the Billboard 200. The first single released from the album was "Breaking the Broken," for which a music video was recorded that received much airplay.
In January 2006, they announced that they had signed a deal with Hollywood Records, which will release their third album Threes on October 24, 2006. The album peaked at #83 on the Billboard 200. It's the first album with guitarist Keeley Davis and its debut single was "Taking Back Control."
In June 2008, Ward stated that Sparta is on hiatus and without a label; he would focus instead on his alternative country band, Sleepercar, which released its debut album West Texas on April 22, 2008. Three years later, on August 3, 2011, Ward stated that Sparta was back in action and would play their first show in November in El Paso. That comeback would be short, as in January 2012, At The Drive-In reunited for a series of shows, splitting up once again at the end of the year. In January 2016, At The Drive-In reunited for the second time. However, days before the tour start in March 2016, it was announced that Ward had been replaced in the band by his former Sparta bandmate Keeley Davis.
Sparta would come back for a second time in 2017, with a line-up consisting of Ward, Miller, Gabriel Gonzalez and Cully Symington (Beach Slang, Cursive). They would release their fourth album, Trust the River, on April 10, 2020 on Dine Alone Records.
There is another band ith the sane name:
2. Sparta was also a NWOBHM band from Mansfield. They formed in 1980, and released two singles, plus participated on a five way split album before they split up. Hades Records released a compilation on vinyl in 2006. This compilation contained all their previously released songs, plus a few more.
Air
Sparta Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
at least we went down fighting
at the bottom of the ocean
this scenery fails calm
up till now been riding fine
but the curving walls leave me behind
do you remember the days?
did you forget those days?
would the oddsmakers say?
We're drinking on jet streams
through to
ideas won't happen
laid out on benches
through to
sink for this reason
If you see through these motives
you'll please report your progress
to the captain, our captain
so he can mark the atlas
never considered this a prize
but the curing walls leave me behind
The lyrics of Sparta’s song Air speak to feelings of apathy and failure, contrasting with moments of determination in the face of difficult circumstances. The opening lines describe a sense of defeat (“Apathy falls in the ocean”) but also suggest that the band members were willing to fight to the end (“at least we went down fighting”). Despite their efforts, however, they find themselves at the bottom of the ocean, with the peaceful surroundings failing to bring them any solace. The subsequent lines (“up till now been riding fine but the curving walls leave me behind”) seem to refer to a struggle with progress or forward momentum, with the singer falling behind as the walls curve in around them.
The song then shifts to a more hopeful and energetic tone, with the lyrics referencing “drinking on jet streams” and “ideas” that “won’t happen.” While these lines are somewhat abstract, they seem to suggest a sense of possibility, even if it is also tinged with uncertainty. The final lines return to the idea of defeat and failure, although they once again emphasize the band’s willingness to keep fighting (“never considered this a prize but the curving walls leave me behind”).
Overall, Air seems to be a song about the ups and downs of pursuing a goal or dream. The band members experience moments of clarity and hopelessness, but regardless of the outcome, they are determined to keep pushing forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Apathy falls in the ocean
Our indifference and lack of motivation is like dropping something worthless into the vast and unforgiving ocean.
at least we went down fighting
Despite our apathy, we made an attempt and put up a fight before ultimately succumbing to our fate.
at the bottom of the ocean
Our failure has led us to this point of being submerged well below the surface of success.
this scenery fails calm
Even though the surroundings may appear serene, there is an underlying sense of unease and chaos lurking beneath the surface.
up till now been riding fine
We may have been coasting along smoothly up until this point, but the path ahead is uncertain and daunting.
but the curving walls leave me behind
The unpredictable twists and turns of life have caused us to fall behind and feel lost.
do you remember the days?
Looking back, do you recall a time when things seemed simpler and not as complicated?
did you forget those days?
Or have you already forgotten those moments of ease and clarity?
what would the oddsmakers say?
If we were to weigh our chances of success, what would the experts predict?
would the oddsmakers say?
Would their insights be valuable or irrelevant in the grand scheme of things?
We're drinking on jet streams
We are living recklessly and selfishly, indulging in pleasures without any regard for the consequences.
through to
Continuing on this unwise path will lead to further destruction and chaos.
ideas won't happen
Despite having aspirations, our lack of action will prevent us from achieving anything significant or meaningful.
laid out on benches
Our laziness and lack of motivation have caused us to be stuck in a stagnant, unproductive state.
through to
Continuing on this path will lead to even more inaction and stagnation, perpetuating a cycle of failure.
sink for this reason
We are destined to fail due to our own shortcomings and lack of effort.
If you see through these motives
If you can identify the root causes of our failures and shortcomings,
you'll please report your progress
Please share any insights or progress you have made in solving these issues.
to the captain, our captain
So that our leader can take these insights into account and steer us towards a better path.
so he can mark the atlas
Such progress and insights can help us chart a new course and navigate our way towards success.
never considered this a prize
Success was never guaranteed or thought of as a reward that would simply be handed to us.
but the curving walls leave me behind
Despite our best efforts, the unpredictable nature of life has caused us to fall short and feel lost.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Written by: TONY HAJJAR, PABLO HINOJOS, MATTHAEUS GUENTHER MILLER, JIM WARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind