Began in February of 1996, rising from the ashes of a previous band, Basic Enigma (which included future Spineshank members Jonny Santos on vocals, Mike Sarkisyan on guitars, and Tom Decker on drums). Basic Enigma broke up but soon reformed with a different sound and moniker, and a new bassist (Robert Garcia).
The band soon befriended Fear Factory guitarist Dino Cazares, who upon hearing their demo, offered the new band to open a show for F.F. at the Whiskey A-Go-Go in Los Angeles. This led to other coveted opening slots (with such popular acts as Coal Chamber, Snot, Soulfly, Sepultura and Danzig, among others), and label interest, with Roadrunner eventually signing the band. Their debut, Strictly Diesel, was released in September of 1998, and featured yet another tie-in with their favorite band, Fear Factory vocalist Burton C. Bell sings on the track Stain. The Height of Callousness followed two years later. Two singles were released off of this album (as well as became available in video form); Synthetic & New Disease. The band would hold a second stage slot on Ozzfest 2001 for the majority of that summer as well as touring with the likes of Disturbed, (Hed) P.E., Orgy& Mudvayne.
2003 saw the release of the much anticipated Self Destructive Pattern, as well as the single Smothered.
After the departure of Jonny Santos in 2004, the remaining members searched for a new vocalist and stated earlier in 2005 they have been working with a new vocalist. No name was given and no other news has been reported since then. Jonny Santos has since re-emerged in a new band dubbed Silent Civilian.
After a very long wait, Spineshank updated their official website (11/7/2005) with news that the band had found a new vocalist in Brandon Espinoza and that they had been working together for a month and had recorded 5 songs during this time. The band goes on to say that their new music is: "still heavy and dynamic with melody, but its a little darker and more raw. Our sound is a little different from what a lot of bands are doing these days and we wont be jumping on any bandwagons to fit in, we're just writing what feels right to us. So far there are no loops or electronics, and no plan to use them any time soon." It also went on to say that the future of the band was very much in doubt, unless they found the ideal replacement for Jonny Santos.
Almost 3 years later, on September 18, 2008, the band issued a press release from their myspace page, stating that the issues that led to the break up have been put behind them and they are working together better than they have before. The band has completed 5 songs since reuniting and plan to write 15 more before recording their new album. One of the new songs, "Born Conform Repent" can be heard at the band's myspace page.
Spineshank's long-awaited fourth studio album "Anger Denial Acceptance" is set to be released June 19, 2012 through Century Media.
After years of silence, The band's Facebook page responded to a post on July 26, 2017 when a fan had asked about Spineshank's status, simply stating "Sorry, Spineshank is broken up. Thanks for the support over the years."
After the End
Spineshank Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It mimics what used to be
Rise again to fall behind
Expose the worm inside
The color has faded
This changes everything
You're plastic and empty
This scar will never bleed, or kill the pain
Before it spreads, I'm left with nothing
Blood washes hands
And yours have never been clean
The filth is what makes you who you are
Run to your savior
The weakness surfacing
Replace all your anger
And pray for sympathy now
You try to hide the damage
Below the surface
It just keeps bleeding
You try to blur the image
Envision who you are
Envision who you are
After the end
After the end
After the end
(Closing your eyes and lifting your head)
After the end
(Losing your self control)
Now the sight of your disaster, embedded in me
Just like an execution, it's all for nothing
It's slipping away, the decay
Just your form of evolution
It's cold and it's vacant
It's always out of place
Distorted and changing
It's just an empty face
You try to hide the damage
Below the surface
It just keeps bleeding
You try to blur the image
Envision who you are
Envision who you are
You try to hide the damage
Below the surface
It just keeps bleeding
You try to blur the image
Envision who you are
Envision who you are
The song "After the End" by Spineshank is a powerful expression of self-reflection and the struggle to come to terms with one's own flaws and failures. The first stanza speaks of perfection, and the desire to mimic what was lost. The singer is rising again, only to fall behind, and in doing so, he exposes the worm inside, referring to the ugliness and decay that he carries within himself. The next lines describe the fading of color and how it changes everything, with the realization that the singer is plastic and empty, lacking substance or depth. The scar, representing his pain and self-inflicted wounds, will never bleed, or kill the pain, as it has spread too far, leaving him with nothing. The filth of his past defines who he is, and he can no longer hide from it.
The singer then turns to his savior, seeking redemption and sympathy, acknowledging that his anger needs to be replaced. He tries to hide the damage, but it keeps bleeding, indicating that he is unable to fully escape the consequences of his actions. The repetition of the lines "Envision who you are" emphasizes the need for self-reflection and acceptance, urging the singer to face his flaws and accept himself for who he is.
The chorus, "After the End," signifies the end of something, whether it be a relationship, a phase in life, or a metaphorical death of the self. The lines "Closing your eyes and lifting your head" and "Losing your self-control" depict the struggle of letting go and accepting the end, with the hope of starting anew.
Overall, "After the End" is a powerful ode to self-growth and acceptance, urging the listener to face their failures and embrace their flaws as part of their journey towards self-discovery.
Line by Line Meaning
The picture is fine, perfection is
The perceived image is flawless, representing the past.
It mimics what used to be
The image replicates what was once real.
Rise again to fall behind
Attempting to advance, yet ending up back at the starting point.
Expose the worm inside
Reveal the hidden flaws within.
The color has faded
The vibrancy has disappeared.
This changes everything
The loss of color alters the entire situation.
You're plastic and empty
The subject is superficial and devoid of substance.
It's all you ever will be
This shall be the subject's perpetual condition.
This scar will never bleed, or kill the pain
The wound is healed and shall no longer hurt.
Before it spreads, I'm left with nothing
Preventing the trauma from extending further leads to emptiness.
Blood washes hands
Guilt is eliminated.
And yours have never been clean
This person has always been burdened with guilt.
The filth is what makes you who you are
The impurities define this person's character.
Run to your savior
Seeking deliverance from hardship and pain.
The weakness surfacing
A display of vulnerability.
Replace all your anger
Replacing hostility with placidity.
And pray for sympathy now
Seeking empathy from others.
Now the sight of your disaster, embedded in me
The sight of another's downfall has left an indelible mark on me.
Just like an execution, it's all for nothing
The damage has already been dealt, rendering any subsequent action meaningless.
It's slipping away, the decay
Failing to maintain one's self, leading to further deterioration.
Just your form of evolution
This point in time represents a stage in one's personal development.
It's cold and it's vacant
Showing a lack of warmth or emotion.
It's always out of place
Appearing to not fit into one's environment.
Distorted and changing
Appearing altered and inconsistent.
It's just an empty face
This appearance lacks substance and is meaningless.
After the end
Following the conclusion of a period or event.
Closing your eyes and lifting your head
Resting and relaxing after completion.
Losing your self control
Allowing emotions to overtake logical thinking.
Contributed by Grayson T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.