State of the Union is used by two bands both from the USA and a UK/USA coll… Read Full Bio ↴State of the Union is used by two bands both from the USA and a UK/USA collaboration.

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

Rupture
State of the Union Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Make me remember something
How did we get inside this mess?
I am holding on tight to avoid the fall
Unwilling to accept what life beholds

What do you know? why do you talk?
What do you think you are trying to achieve?
Why do you break? why do you spoil?

When in my heart I held the storm

And if you see me walking by
Don't get to close 'cause I may burst
And if you see tears in my eyes
Don't even think... I'll be just fine!

I'm trying in vain to tie the ends
I'm open to anything that works
But you come around to stir the pain
To tap the hole inside my soul

Take me, break me, fracture
What's left of this?

And strike me, bite me, suck me
I'm over this romance

Overall Meaning

In "Rupture" by State of the Union, the lyrics describe a sense of being stuck in a difficult situation and grappling with feelings of frustration, confusion and pain. The song starts off with a plea to "make me remember something," as the singer is trying to understand how they ended up in this mess. They describe holding on tight to avoid a fall and being unwilling to accept what life has in store for them. The second verse is directed towards someone who is attempting to undermine the singer's efforts and cause them more pain, asking them why they are doing this and what they hope to achieve. The chorus seems to be a warning to anyone who crosses the singer's path, telling them not to get too close, because the singer may burst. Despite their anger and sadness, the singer ultimately knows they will be "just fine."

The song is a reflection of deep emotional pain and a sense of being overwhelmed by circumstances beyond one's control. The lyrics suggest a desire to understand the cause of the pain and frustration, and a fear of being hurt again in the future. The song is unique in that it is both aggressive and vulnerable, with the singer revealing their raw emotions and also lashing out against those who have caused them harm.

Line by Line Meaning

Make me remember something
Remind me of a specific memory

How did we get inside this mess?
Questioning how the current situation came to be

I am holding on tight to avoid the fall
Trying to prevent a detrimental event

Unwilling to accept what life beholds
Not wanting to come to terms with reality

What do you know? why do you talk?
Doubting someone's knowledge and intentions

What do you think you are trying to achieve?
Questioning someone's goals

Why do you break? why do you spoil?
Asking why someone continually causes harm

When in my heart I held the storm
Enduring inner turmoil

And if you see me walking by
If you happen to spot me

Don't get too close 'cause I may burst
Warning others to not get emotionally close

And if you see tears in my eyes
If you notice me crying