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."
Asthmatic
Spineshank Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Destroyed by what I create
It left the nerve exposed
Feels like a lost cause
Frustration's all I have left
It's what reduced me to this
Turned me against myself
It's still a lost cause
I can't keep doing this to myself
But it's the only way to forget who I am
Your disability
Kept pushing me away
It went beneath what's so real to me
And threw it all away
I underestimated
The lengths that you would have gone
To deny who you are
You threw it all away
I will keep doing this to myself
'Cause it's the only way to forget who I am
I never wanted your help
I never needed your help
This failure has to be all mine all mine now
I'll turn my back on myself
If it's my only way out
It can only help me if it hurts
I won't give into, I won't give into...
I won't become one with your lies
I never wanted your help
I never needed your help
This failure has to be all mine all mine now
I'll turn my back on myself
If it's my only way out
I'm too tired to feel anything anyway
I will keep doing this to myself
'Cause it's the only way to forget who I am
I never wanted your help
I never needed your help
This failure has to be all mine all mine now
I'll turn my back on myself
If it's my only way out
I'm too tired to feel anything anyway
I have become one with your lies
The lyrics to Spineshank's song Asthmatic are a reflection of a deep sense of frustration and self-resentment, as the singer realizes that he is torn down by what he creates. He has developed a disability that keeps pushing him away, perhaps a mental or emotional disability that he struggles to cope with. He feels lost and reduced to a lost cause, and his frustration is all that is left. The singer is struggling against his own inner demons and feels like he is turning against himself. He cannot keep doing this to himself, but it's the only way to forget who he is. He knows that he needs to make a change, but it's easier said than done.
The singer is struggling with the idea of seeking help, as he never wanted or needed it. He is determined to own his failures and take responsibility for his actions. He knows that the failure has to be all his now, and he will turn his back on himself if it's his only way out. He is too tired to feel anything, and his frustration has consumed him to the extent that he has become one with the lies that were pushed upon him. He will keep doing this to himself as he needs to forget who he is, to move on from the pain that he is carrying inside.
Overall, the song is about self-destructive behavior and the desperation that comes with it. The singer is fighting against his own mind, and he is determined to overcome his struggles on his own terms. The pain and despair in the lyrics are palpable, and the raw emotion in the vocals adds to the intensity of the message.
Line by Line Meaning
It starts to tear me down
The burden of my problems is weighing heavily on me, both mentally and physically.
Destroyed by what I create
The things I create or do have become self-destructive, causing more harm than good.
It left the nerve exposed
My vulnerabilities have been exposed, leaving me raw and unprotected.
Feels like a lost cause
I am hopeless and defeated, with little chance of turning things around.
Frustration's all I have left
My primary emotion is frustration, as I struggle to make sense of my situation.
It's what reduced me to this
My current state of despair is the result of the frustrations and failures I have faced.
Turned me against myself
I have become my own worst enemy, as my own thoughts and actions haunt me.
It's still a lost cause
Despite my efforts, I am still doomed to failure and disappointment.
I can't keep doing this to myself
I know that my current path is unhealthy and unsustainable.
But it's the only way to forget who I am
Despite this knowledge, I feel that my current destructive path is the only means of escaping my problems.
Your disability
The obstacles and difficulties you face.
Kept pushing me away
Your struggles and problems drove a wedge between us, creating distance.
It went beneath what's so real to me
Your problems impacted me on a deeper, emotional level, leaving a lasting impact.
And threw it all away
Your difficulties consumed you, causing you to neglect or forget the good things in your life.
I underestimated
I did not fully appreciate or understand the extent of your struggles and their impact on me.
The lengths that you would have gone
The drastic measures you may have taken to cope with your difficulties.
To deny who you are
The negative impact of your problems on your sense of identity.
I will keep doing this to myself
Despite recognizing the dangers of my current path, I feel trapped and must continue down this path.
'Cause it's the only way to forget who I am
My self-destructive behavior is a coping mechanism, allowing me to dissociate from my problems and identity.
I never wanted your help
I am independent and do not wish to burden others with my problems.
I never needed your help
Believing that others cannot assist me in solving my problems, I reject any offered help.
This failure has to be all mine all mine now
I accept full responsibility for my current state of affairs, acknowledging that it is the result of my own actions.
I'll turn my back on myself
I am prepared to ignore my own needs and desires in order to cope with my current problems.
If it's my only way out
Despite doubts and concerns, I am willing to take whatever measures necessary to escape my problems.
It can only help me if it hurts
I believe that pain and self-destructive behavior are necessary for me to find relief or satisfaction.
I won't give into, I won't give into...
I am resolute and strong-willed, refusing to give up or give in to my problems.
I won't become one with your lies
I reject the false hope or promises that others offer in dealing with my problems.
I'm too tired to feel anything anyway
I am emotionally exhausted and numb, unable to fully feel and process my experiences.
I have become one with your lies
I have given in to the false promises or illusions that others have offered me in dealing with my problems.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JONATHAN SANTOS, ROBERT GARCIA, SOREN SARKISYAN, THOMAS DECKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@riyahf3481
such an underrated hit
@Ammut6
Spineshank is underrated as a whole
@vinaymulukutla358
I got this album when it came out upon hearing this song on a Roadrunner compilation back then. Was super exciting to a seventeen year old me. Great trip back to the early 2000's for me.
@p1nkfreud
I NEVER WANTED YOUR HELP; I NEVER NEEDED YOUR HELP
@grayman1
(Over and over)
@PoliticaV
Man this was the shit back in my day!
@erickmazur807
Still a banger
@p1nkfreud
Same
@vinaymulukutla358
Still fun today.
@danielfleckenstein7107
Wow! Been awhile since I've heard this banger!