The introduction of bands like S.O.A. and Minor Threat signaled a change in the mood of the DC hardcore scene. Early hardcore acts like the Teen Idles and the Untouchables had a light-hearted vibe. Songs were often goofy and humorous and few ever approached any sort of serious subject. The new crop of bands that formed, though, like S.O.A., Minor Threat and Youth Brigade, were angrier and projected a tougher image. S.O.A. was a perfect example of this. Musically not as strong as their peers in Minor Threat, their style was simple thrash with Henry's monotone bark on top of the mix. The songs were usually about things that made Henry mad, like girls and cops, or his love of fighting. Despite their rudimentary style and limited musical ability, S.O.A.'s live performances were reportedly exhilarating.
After several shows, Simon left the band to attend college. He was replaced by Ivor Hanson. Dischord Records wanted to put out an S.O.A. release, but the infant label also wanted to put out a record by Minor Threat and there was not enough money to do both. The band had already recorded while Simon was in the group, so Henry solved the problem by paying for pressing of the record himself with money he saved while working as a manager at an ice cream store.
While things were looking up for S.O.A., fate would soon intervene. Henry was offered a chance to audition for LA's Black Flag. After practicing with the band in New York, he was asked to join as their singer. Word of Henry's new gig soon filtered back to Henry's friends in DC, who had mixed feelings about his imminent departure for the west coast. The rest of S.O.A. was particularly disillusioned, as it would likely mean the end of the band. S.O.A.'s last gig was in Philadelphia opening for Black Flag, after which Henry left town with that band.
Henry had approached Ian MacKaye's younger brother Alec about taking over for him in S.O.A., but Alec didn't want to sing Henry's words. Instead, he, along with Michael Hampton and Ivor Hanson, formed the Faith, while Wendel Blow joined proto-skinhead act Iron Cross and later co-founded Lethal Intent. Henry, after changing his last name to Rollins, went on to sing for Black Flag until their demise in 1986.
Draw Blank
State of Alert Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Think the truth is part of the deal
[Chorus:]
You'll never know
I'll never show
I'm not a book
You can't read me
Always ask what's on my mind
I'll just say I don't have time
[Chorus]
Always ask why I am this way
I just say I'm gonna stay
[Chorus]
The lyrics to State of Alert's song Draw Blank speak about the struggle of being honest with oneself and others. The singer is being constantly asked about their feelings, thoughts, and behavior by others, but they refuse to reveal anything. They believe that the truth is an inevitable part of human interaction, but they don't want to share it with anyone. This could be due to fear of vulnerability, fear of judgment, or simply not wanting to deal with the hassle of explaining oneself.
The chorus repeats the message that the singer will never reveal themselves to others. They compare themselves to a book that cannot be read, implying that they are an enigma that nobody can figure out. They want to keep their thoughts and emotions private and hidden from the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Always ask how I feel
Inquires about how I am doing emotionally
Think the truth is part of the deal
Believes that honesty is necessary for any relationship
You'll never know
No matter how much you ask or pry, you will never truly understand me
I'll never show
I will never reveal my innermost thoughts and emotions
I'm not a book
I am not some text that can easily be read and understood
You can't read me
You cannot comprehend my thoughts and feelings, no matter how hard you try
Always ask what's on my mind
Always curious about what I might be thinking or feeling
I'll just say I don't have time
I will avoid answering, making an excuse that I am too busy to talk about it
Always ask why I am this way
Curious about my personality and behavior
I just say I'm gonna stay
I will remain true to myself and my ways, without any explanations
[Chorus]
The chorus repeats the theme that the singer will not reveal their innermost thoughts and emotions no matter how hard others try to uncover them
Contributed by Nolan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Trae Petruska
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Henry Garfield :')