1. State of the Union, electro band based in Los Angeles, California. It emerges as a powerhouse in the alternative/electronic/industrial scene. Their unique blend of industrial dance and more accesible forms of EBM with contemporary electronic styles and very deep, thoughtful,inspiring lyrics ranging from hard-hitting electronic beats to haunting ballads and symphonic orchestrations. State of the Union has earned incredible acclaim for their energetic live performances and gained a fanatical worldwide following. State of the Union is one of the brightest bands to explode onto the scene in quite some time. Johann Sebastian, the singer and architect behind this multidimensional project continues to leap from strength to strength with his follow-up album "Evol Love Industry" to be release in North America, Europe and rest of the world at the beginning of 2008.
State Of The Union's name itself is an expression of Johann's outlooks, enveloping political overtones at the same time still resembling the rage and emotion that he was initially trying to portray in his music. They felt it was only fitting to follow their own aspirations in pursue of their own musical scope. Their debut effort Black City Lights inspired by the loyalist to the EBM and Darkwave scene, fuses together expressions and elements of philosophy, politics, love and symbolism through the medium of hard hitting and addictive dance music.
State Of The Union live band is:
- Johann Sebastian: Vocals, Lyrics and Programming
- Jimmy Nimra: Drums
www.state-of-the-union.info
2. State of the Union played dark, introspective, and despair-driven gloom core in a style that groups them with likes of Dystopia, CHRISTDRIVER, Asbestos Death and even some Neurosis and Godflesh. Originally formed in Rapid City, South Dakota, they toured the country extensively and were a staple feature of Minneapolis’ underground punk / crust shows during the mid-late 90’s. On the strength of their live performances and their self-released debut EP, they were picked up by Profane Existence Records, who released their Rez-Erection EP in 1995. Shortly after the release of their second EP, the band sought to escape the dead-end scene of Rapid City relocated as a unit to Seattle, Washington. Once settled they went to work recording their first full length release, also released by Profane Existence in 1998. Although the first pressing of 1000 albums sold out in a matter of weeks, it was never repressed due to a three-year hiatus of Profane Existence Records from 1999-2002.
The band recorded a second LP, slated for release in 2000, but the project faltered without a label and STATE OF THE UNION disbanded shortly thereafter. While STATE OF THE UNION remain one of the lesser known bands on Profane Existence Records, they have one of the most fiercely loyal following even to this date. Former SOTU members have not dropped out of the scene by any means and play on today in several other Seattle area bands such as SOD HAULER, WORMWOOD, ARID SEA and THE PRIDS. In March 2008 Profane Existence released a discography CD, containing all released material as well as the unreleased LP.
3. A colloaboration between Boo Hewerdine, an English songwriter and lead singer of indie legends The Bible and Brooks Williams, a slide guitar wizard from Statsboro, Georgia, USA.
see UK gig info
Afterlife
State of the Union Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The problem is that I am the game
Of all the fetishes you crave
The problem is not the pain you give
The problem is I like the pain
That always seems to be the case
The problem isn't what you say
You left the truth so far behind
The problem isn't that you lie
The problem is that I believe
But after all that's how we met
The problem is not you leaving me
The problem is I won't let go
I always thought you'd be the one
The problem isn't loving you
The problem is you don't love me
It took me time to realize
And if you think there is someone better
Or if you think there's someone like me
And if you think you'll find someone better
Just find your way I'll give you the key
And if you want to make me fell better
Please don't pretend you ever loved me
Because if you want to make me feel better
You won't come back to hurt me again
The song "Afterlife" by State of the Union is a powerful representation of someone struggling to let go of a toxic relationship. The lyrics explore the complexities of love, pain, and deception that exist within such relationships. The first verse delves into the idea that the problem isn't the things the other person does, but rather the fact that the singer is willing to accept and tolerate the negative behaviors. The song highlights the addictive and self-destructive nature of certain relationships, where one person becomes the game that the other person plays.
The second verse touches on the theme of honesty and trust, revealing that the problem lies in the lack of transparency and the singer's willingness to believe lies. The chorus emphasizes the fact that the singer is struggling to let go, even though they know the relationship isn't healthy. The bridge shows a glimmer of hope as the singer acknowledges the possibility of finding someone better but also makes it clear that they are not interested in someone who will hurt them again.
Overall, "Afterlife" is a thought-provoking and emotional song that explores the complex nature of toxic relationships and the struggle to let go.
Line by Line Meaning
The problem is not the games you play
The problem is your games don't bother me as much as they should
The problem is that I am the game
The problem is that I am too invested and can't seem to walk away
Of all the fetishes you crave
Of all of your desires, I am the one you can't resist
The problem is not the pain you give
The problem is that your hurt is what I truly need
The problem is I like the pain
The problem is that I am addicted to the hurt you give me
That always seems to be the case
I can't seem to break free from this pattern, no matter how many times I try
The problem isn't what you say
The problem is what you withhold and never reveal
The problem is what you don't say
The problem is your lack of honesty and transparency
You left the truth so far behind
You are constantly hiding the truth from me
The problem isn't that you lie
The problem is that I blindly believe everything you say
The problem is that I believe
The problem is that I am gullible and naive
But after all that's how we met
But this is the foundation of our relationship and it's too late to change it now
The problem is not you leaving me
The problem is that I can't let go and move on from you
The problem is I won't let go
The problem is that I am holding on to a relationship that is no longer healthy
I always thought you'd be the one
I put too much faith in you and expected you to be the perfect partner
The problem isn't loving you
The problem is that it is one-sided and you don't love me back
The problem is you don't love me
The problem is that I am not receiving the love and affection that I need and deserve
It took me time to realize
It took me a while to understand that this relationship is not healthy for me
And if you think there is someone better
And if you believe that there is someone else out there for you
Or if you think there's someone like me
Or if you are searching for someone who is similar to me
Just find your way I'll give you the key
Just go and find what you are looking for and I won't stop you
And if you want to make me fell better
And if you want to ease my pain
Please don't pretend you ever loved me
Please don't give me false hope by pretending that you had feelings for me
Because if you want to make me feel better
Because the only way to truly make me feel better is to not hurt me again
You won't come back to hurt me again
Please don't return to cause me more pain and suffering
Contributed by Liliana H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dj Pocketz
I love this band since I first heard them 20 years ago
Scott - Palm Beach, FL
So well written....RIP! Unfortunately they called it quits today...damn..Synthpop just didn't catch-on with kids like back in 80's here in USA.. Blame corporate/technology and the 20 artist that get played over and over again here in USA.
:::electrocity:::
...Very Gooood Electronic Musik.....