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.
Light Burns Clear
Sparta Lyrics
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Mistakes were you, mistakes were me
Photos fall through the glass
Paint it black to hide your face
Static screams deaf the masses
But what do they have to say?
Fan the flames to the landslide
We play this disaster
Fanfare, fanfare, liar
Concrete eyes and flash bang imagery
You're bored with home, you're bored with me
Rings were thrown out the window
Rolled down empty streets
Walls will talk for the widow
But what does she have to say?
Edges dulled at the end of the day
The lyrics to Sparta's song Light Burns Clear speak to the idea of looking back at past mistakes and the consequences of our actions. The opening line "Looking back with perfect symmetry" suggests that the singer has gained clarity and perspective on past events. The line "Mistakes were you, mistakes were me" implies that both parties are equally responsible for the mistakes made. The next lines "Photos fall through the glass, Paint it black to hide your face" suggest a desire to obscure or hide the past, possibly out of shame or guilt.
The next stanza shifts focus to a more political interpretation. The line "Static screams deaf the masses, But what do they have to say?" speaks to the idea of media manipulation and propaganda. The following lines "Fan the flames to the landslide, Crown yourself in the wake, We play this disaster, Fanfare, fanfare, liar" implies that there are those who would rather stoke the flames of chaos and destruction for their own benefit, rather than work towards resolution and peace.
The final stanza talks about the consequences of our actions and the importance of accountability. The line "Concrete eyes and flash bang imagery, You're bored with home, you're bored with me" suggests that we may become desensitized to violence and chaos over time. The line "Walls will talk for the widow, But what does she have to say?" speaks to the idea that those left behind after tragedy are often forgotten and neglected. The final line "Edges dulled at the end of the day" suggests a feeling of weariness or disillusionment.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking back with perfect symmetry
Reflecting on the past, with a balanced perspective on both our mistakes.
Mistakes were you, mistakes were me
Acknowledging that we both made mistakes and are responsible for our actions.
Photos fall through the glass
Physical representations of our memories shatter and break apart.
Paint it black to hide your face
Covering up one's true emotions and intentions, to avoid revealing oneself to others.
Static screams deaf the masses
The noise and chaos of the world make it difficult for anyone to truly be heard or understood.
But what do they have to say?
Questioning whether anyone is truly saying anything meaningful, despite all the noise.
Fan the flames to the landslide
Exacerbating an already bad situation, leading to a catastrophic downfall.
Crown yourself in the wake
Taking power and glory for oneself, in the aftermath of destruction.
We play this disaster
Making light of and even enjoying the chaos and destruction around us.
Fanfare, fanfare, liar
All the excitement and commotion is just a façade, and many are dishonest in their dealings.
Concrete eyes and flash bang imagery
Everything appears harsh and violent, with no room for softness or subtlety.
You're bored with home, you're bored with me
Feeling restless and dissatisfied with one's current circumstances and relationships.
Rings were thrown out the window
Symbolic gestures of love and commitment are discarded.
Rolled down empty streets
These gestures fall on deaf ears and are unnoticed by the world around us.
Walls will talk for the widow
The only one left to remember and tell our story will be the surviving spouse.
But what does she have to say?
Even the person left to tell our story may not truly understand or be able to express what happened.
Edges dulled at the end of the day
Over time, the sharp edges of our lives and experiences become worn down and less painful.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JIM WARD, MATTHAEUS GUENTHER MILLER, PABLO HINOJOS, TONY HAJJAR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind