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."
Slavery
Spineshank Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've always been tied to you, now the bond is fucking gone
You're just a victim
Of your own decisions
And your desperation
Is like watching an accident
I reject the way you need
I will break away from you
My regret is knowing you
You've thrown away everything and you hope I sympathize
It's kind of like slavery to a world of fucking lies
You're not the victim
Of your own addictions
And your desperation
Now you won't get my sympathy
This feels like slavery
This ends it all
This feels like slavery
This ends it all
In Spineshank's song "Slavery," the singer sings about being tied down to someone who constantly hurts themselves to get their attention or sympathy. The singer feels like they have given up everything for this person, but the bond between them is gone. The person the singer is referring to is a victim of their own decisions and addictions, and their desperation is like watching an accident. The singer rejects the way this person needs to hurt themselves to get the singer's attention and decides to break away from them. The singer's only regret is knowing this person.
The lyrics suggest that this person is throwing their life away and hoping for sympathy from the singer. The singer compares this situation to slavery to a world of lies, implying that this person is a victim of their own making. They're not deserving of sympathy, and the singer won't give it to them. The repetition of "this ends it all" emphasizes the singer's final decision to break away from this toxic relationship.
Overall, the lyrics of "Slavery" tell a story of someone who has given up everything for someone who doesn't deserve their attention or sympathy. The singer realizes that they need to break away from this person and won't be held down by their addictions and desperation any longer.
Line by Line Meaning
I've given up everything 'till it seems so fucking wrong
I have sacrificed so much for you that it has become unbearable and feels morally unjustified.
I've always been tied to you, now the bond is fucking gone
I have been attached and loyal to you until now, but our relationship has ended.
You're just a victim
You are not entirely in control of the situation.
Of your own decisions
You are responsible for your own choices and their consequences.
And your desperation
Your sense of urgency or despair is palpable.
Is like watching an accident
It is uncomfortable and distressing to observe your actions and their inevitable outcome.
I reject the way you need
I refuse to accept and enable the harmful behavior that you exhibit.
To hurt yourself to get to me
You are willing to harm yourself in order to manipulate and affect me.
I will break away from you
I will sever all ties and eliminate myself from this toxic relationship.
My regret is knowing you
I am disappointed and remorseful that I ever got involved with you.
You've thrown away everything and you hope I sympathize
You have lost valuable things due to your actions and expect me to feel sorry for you.
It's kind of like slavery to a world of fucking lies
Your situation feels oppressive and reminiscent of being trapped in a deceitful society.
You're not the victim
You are not innocent or powerless in this situation.
Of your own addictions
You are suffering from the consequences of your own harmful habits and repetitive behavior.
And your desperation
Your urgent and despairing actions are unacceptable.
Now you won't get my sympathy
I am no longer willing to pardon or feel sorry for you.
This feels like slavery
The situation feels oppressive, restrictive, and dehumanizing.
This ends it all
This marks the definitive and irreversible end to our relationship.
This feels like slavery
The situation feels oppressive, restrictive, and dehumanizing.
This ends it all
This marks the definitive and irreversible end to our relationship.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JONATHAN SANTOS, ROBERT GARCIA, SOREN SARKISYAN, THOMAS DECKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind