Sponge grew out of a Detroit-based hard rock act called Loudhouse, which released an album on the Virgin label in 1988 before losing its record contract and disbanding shortly thereafter. Drummer-turned-vocalist Vinnie Dombrowski (born Mark Dombrowski) and guitarists Mike Cross and Joey Mazzola regrouped as Sponge in 1992, adding Mike's brother Tim Cross on bass and Jimmy Paluzzi on drums. Adapting their '70s hard rock influences to fit the grunge zeitgeist, the bandmates earned a major-label deal with Columbia and released their debut album, Rotting Pinata, in late 1994.
Initially, critics compared Sponge to Stone Temple Pilots, but alternative radio embraced the band's first two singles: the driving rocker "Plowed" and the jangly, introspective "Molly (Sixteen Candles)." A third single, "Rainin'," also earned airplay, and Rotting Pinata went gold; meanwhile, Sponge went on tour as Live's opening act. With new drummer Charlie Grover in tow, their 1996 follow-up album, Wax Ecstatic, was a more diverse affair, rediscovering some of the band's roots in arena rock, British glam, and jangle pop. Even though singles like "Wax Ecstatic (To Sell Angelina)," "I Am Anastasia," and "Have You Seen Mary" enjoyed radio airplay, Columbia was dissatisfied with the sales figures and dropped Sponge once the album left the charts.
Undaunted, Sponge signed a new deal with the Beyond label, which released the more classicist New Pop Sunday in 1999. It attracted little commercial attention, and more personnel shifts ensued. Tired of touring, the Cross brothers both left and were replaced by guitarist Kurt Marschke and bassist Tim Krukowski; Billy Adams also came on board as the new drummer. After several years of recharging -- during which time Dombrowski played in several Detroit-area side projects -- Sponge returned with For All the Drugs in the World in 2003 and The Man in 2005. Dombrowski reworked the lineup once again, this time adding guitarists Kyle Neely and Andy Patalan, before returning again to the studio in 2007 to record Galore Galore for Bellum Records.
Two years later, there was another lineup shift -- Tim Patalan became the group's bassist -- and they released an EP called Destroy the Boy. A full-length called Stop the Bleeding arrived four years later on Three One Three Records; the LP contained all of the 2009 EP plus new songs, including a twisted cover of Jim Croce's "Time in a Bottle." In 2017, the band partnered with Michigan Brewers and PledgeMusic for their eighth full-length outing, The Beer Sessions, which Dombrowski called "a celebration of independent music and incredible Michigan beer." In 2021 the band issued their ninth full-length effort, Lavatorium, which included the fiery single "Stitch," the well-timed ballad "Socially Distant," and an all-new recording of their signature hit "Plowed." Original guitarist Mike Cross died on March 6, 2022 at the age of 57.
Biography by Steve Huey
There are other artists with the same name:
ii) Sponge is also a 90's Japanese noise supergroup. Though the members are credited anonymously, the group reportedly includes:
Jojo Hiroshige (of Hijokaidan)
Junko Hiroshige (also of Hijokaidan)
Masami Akita (better known as Merzbow)
Yamazaki Takushi (better known as Masonna)
The Japanese Sponge have released at least two official albums, a 7" and a CD on T.E.C. Tones.
iii) Alias for James Hoyte, owner of the drum n bass label IQ Records. He has released one 12" record, The Crash, on Suburban Base Records in 1994.
Drownin'
Sponge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Will I hate what I can't
See
I'm doubting should I walk
Around it
Try to be what I can't be
I'm dying
I'm just not happy anymore
I'm drownin'
Suppose you painted the
Castle of Auvers
But everything you did
Came alive
And if you painted all
These things just to
Please me
And if you could read my
Mind
I would never be happy
What will change tomorrow
In this sea within a sea
I'm blinded
How long will I be down
Here
I'm out of air
I can not breathe
I'm drownin'
The lyrics to Sponge's song "Drownin'" are about a person who is struggling with their emotions and feeling overwhelmed by their surroundings, and is considering giving up. The first stanza expresses doubt and fear for the future, wondering if the singer will hate the next day, and if they will hate something they can't see, possibly suggesting a fear of the unknown. They question whether they should confront the issue or walk around it, which could imply a fear of failure. The singer then laments that they're not happy anymore and feels like they're drowning. The second stanza, which is less coherent, portrays an artist who is seeking approval from someone else. The artist creates art that is intended to please the person they're trying to impress, but still doesn't feel happy. The singer is also questioning how they'll change and overcome their current situation, which is represented by a sea within a sea. The final line, "I'm out of air, I cannot breathe, I'm drowning," echoes the feeling of being overwhelmed, without the support or resources needed to stay afloat.
Line by Line Meaning
Will I hate tomorrow
Uncertainty about the future and whether it will bring happiness or not
Will I hate what I can't See
Fear of the unknown and what lies ahead
I'm doubting should I walk Around it
Unsure about how to approach a problem or obstacle in life
Try to be what I can't be
Struggling to live up to other people's expectations or standards
I'm dying
Feeling overwhelmed and helpless in the face of the challenges of life, leading to depression and despair
I'm not happy anymore
A realization that life has lost its joy and meaning, leaving one feeling empty and unfulfilled
I'm just not happy anymore
An acknowledgement of the depth and permanence of one's unhappiness
I'm drownin'
The feeling of being suffocated by the weight of one's problems and burdens
Suppose you painted the Castle of Auvers
A metaphor for the creative endeavor of trying to make something beautiful out of life despite the pain and struggle
But everything you did Came alive
The power of art to create something new and meaningful out of the chaos and suffering of life
And if you painted all These things just to Please me
A recognition of the desire for human connection and the need for others to appreciate the beauty and meaning one creates
And if you could read my Mind
The longing for true understanding and empathy from others, as a way of transcending the isolation and pain of human existence
I would never be happy
The realization that even if one's creative and emotional needs were met, there would still be a deep sense of emptiness and dissatisfaction
What will change tomorrow In this sea within a sea
The fear that despite one's best efforts, life will continue to be full of pain and challenge, leading to a sense of hopelessness and despair
I'm blinded
A sense of confusion and disorientation in the face of the difficulties of life
How long will I be down Here
A sense of being trapped in suffering, with no clear end or escape in sight
I'm out of air
The feeling of being suffocated and overwhelmed by the intensity of one's emotions
I can not breathe
The sense of being crushed by the weight of one's problems and the feeling that life is impossible to bear
I'm drownin'
The overwhelming feeling of being overwhelmed and helpless, with no clear way out of one's suffering
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MIKE CROSS, TIM CROSS, MARK DOMBROSKI, JOEY MAZZOLA, JIMMY PALUZZI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind