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."
Grey
Spineshank Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Grey that lurks inside of me
Grey, feel I can't take it
Grey that works inside of me
Grey
Slowly I run, hurt me for fun
Grey that lurks inside of me
Grey, feel I can't take it
Grey that works inside of me
Grey
See is all I say all I see is grey
See is all I say all I see is grey
Grey all I see is grey
Undo this guilt, bathing in filth
Grey that lurks inside of me
Grey, feel I can't take it
Grey that works inside of me
Grey
See is all I say all I see is grey
See is all I say all I see is grey
All I see is grey
The lyrics of Spineshank's song "Grey" depicts the inner turmoil and struggle with guilt and self-loathing. The opening line "Undo this guilt, bathing in filth" suggests that the singer feels overwhelmed with guilt and shame, so much so that they feel dirty and undeserving of forgiveness. The repeated use of the word "grey" indicates a state of emotional numbness and emptiness. The singer feels trapped and unable to escape the grey that lurks inside of them.
The following line "Slowly I run, hurt me for fun" suggests that the singer is engaging in self-destructive behaviors as a means to numb their pain. They feel helpless and find comfort in their own suffering. They are incapable of stopping themselves from inflicting more pain on themselves because they believe that they deserve it. The repetition of the word "grey" throughout the lyrics underscores the singer's feeling of being trapped and consumed by their own emotional emptiness.
Overall, "Grey" is a poignant exploration of the human struggle with guilt, self-loathing, and emotional numbness. The repetitive use of the word "grey" underscores the feeling of being trapped and unable to escape from one's own emotional turmoil.
Line by Line Meaning
Undo this guilt, bathing in filth
I want to be absolved of my sins, but I feel as though I am constantly surrounded by impure thoughts and actions.
Grey that lurks inside of me
A sense of apathy, melancholy, and lack of direction permeates my being, and I cannot seem to shake it off.
Grey, feel I can't take it
The overwhelming sense of sadness and hopelessness is too much to bear, and I feel powerless to stop it.
Grey that works inside of me
The feelings of despair and depression consume my soul, and I cannot seem to escape them.
Slowly I run, hurt me for fun
I try to escape my problems, but it seems as though the pain and suffering are a never-ending cycle and exist purely for the amusement of others.
See is all I say all I see is grey
Everything I observe is clouded by a sense of sadness and despair, and it feels as though there is no escape from this overwhelming feeling.
All I see is grey
No matter how hard I try, I feel trapped in this sense of hopelessness and cannot see a way out.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Written by: JONATHAN SANTOS, ROBERT GARCIA, SOREN SARKISYAN, THOMAS DECKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind