2) A British rock band from Liverpool in the mid 70's. They released two albums, Rush and Back to Thunder.
Strife were formed by Paul Ellson in 1969 with Peter Trotman on guitar, Peter Hobbs on bass , and Ellson on drums. Within a few gigs, Gordon Rowley had replaced Hobbs on bass and also became chief vocalist. Around that time, Graham Kin also joined on keyboards and vocals, leaving within a year to return to studies.
Soon (1971), the band were joined by John Reid, ex The Klubbs, on guitar and vocals. They recorded a demo - 'Preparation' c/w 'Jerafter' as a four peice but soon after, Peter Trotman left the band and they were joined by singer Paddy Breen also ex The Klubbs. Breen's sojourn, however, was short-lived.
In '72, John Reid was badly injured whilst Stock Car racing. Peter Trotman stepped in temporarily but, at a Liverpool Club, Gordon Rowley was electrocuted and almost died on stage, being resuscitated by medics from the stunned audience.
Back together again, the 3 piece record "Magic of the Dawn" a demo recording organised by soul singer Edwin Starr who had seen the band at the Mardi Gras club in Liverpool. (Whist gigging nationally, Strife also often played local, Merseyside venues, sometimes playing Liverpool's Cavern Club, two or even three nights in a week.)
In 1973 Strife went to Los Angeles, they had an invitation to contact Mal Evans, Apple executive and former Beatles road manager. They had met Mal on a film set, 'Little Malcolm'. Although their act was considered too wild and attention-grabbing for the film's club scenes (some audience members spontaneously jumped on the tables, thus spoiling the shots) it's possible that the band may be seen as extras (has anyone out there checked?). Mal Evans was working in L.A. with John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. However, the media frenzy at this get-together was so intense that, a few hours prior to the arranged meeting, the ex-Beatles and their entourage had left the city for a secret destination where they could continue their work in peace. No-one, including Strife, were told of the departure or the destination.
As the band walked away from the abandoned meeting place, a pink Cadillac did a U-turn and pulled alongside. It was Edwin Starr. Through Starr they soon met up with R.Dean Taylor and recorded a demo album, both in L.A. and in San Francisco, with Taylor as producer. One of these songs, 'Better Man than I' turned up on the album 'Rush'. These sessions also resulted in the acetate 'Worry', believed to be now owned by renown Liverpool DJ, Billy Butler. Whist on a second trip to the US that year, Strife were offered a deal by the William Morris Agency to replace Grand Funk Railroad on their roster. For some reason, the band were unimpressed and returned to the UK to tour; gigs included the last night of the original Cavern Club.
Strife signed with Chrysalis Records in the UK in '74 and recorded 'Rush'. It was released in early '75 with a strong appearance in the Virgin chart (at the time, the main barometer of UK rock music). As the album was released, Strife toured with Ginger Baker led outfit, The Baker Gurvitz Army. Shortly after this tour, they were joined by guitarist Vic Pappaleo but, despite Vic being an amazing guitarist, the format didn't work out. Strife continued as a three piece, working solidly and increasing their fan-base. However, despite the band's popularity, Chrysalis, whilst going through a corporate identity crisis, refused to release any further material - yet they held Strife to their contract. Regardless of the legal situation, Strife were determined to keep recording and recorded the EP 'School', releasing it on their own label, Outlaw. (Their agent, Paul King was later to take the name 'Outlaw' for his highly successful concert promotions company). After Strife eased out of the Chrysalis contract, 'School' was quickly picked up and released by EMI .
During this mid-70s period the gigging figures showed that Strife were the most in-demand rock band in Britain. No band was safe from being blown offstage. Procol Harum paid Strife off, Judas Priest pulled out, The Average White Band turned plain nasty and Slade's manager, Chas. Chandler, gave instructions that his band should never have to appear with Strife again. Moving from support, from '73 onwards, the band headlined in major venues as well as famous rock clubs such as the London's Marquee and Frankfurt's Zoom.
On New Year's Eve 1977, Paul Ellson left the band to be replaced by David Williams, his former drum roadie. With Williams in the driving seat, the album 'Back to Thunder' was recorded and released on the Gull label. By now though, Punk dominated the scene and, within a year or so, following an illness' of Gordon Rowley, the band split.
3) Dungeon synth. https://strifeofficial.bandcamp.com/
Life Or Death
Strife Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I see the world come crashing down
Plagued by thoughts, fear, delusions
I cry for help but no one's around
Who can I trust?
Where can I turn?
Help me-lift this weight that's crushing me
Trapped in a fog
Drowning in pain
Can't see past the darkness surrounding me
Life or death-the choice is mine
When pain and hate are all I find
I can't let it stop me
Searching for hope I try to see through this confusion
The world's weight is too much for me
I gave my all
Expected nothing
Blinded by fear inside of me
Alone in my life
I need a sign
When thoughts of death run through my mind
Been lost-been down
Can't give up but I'm running out of time
I will survive
The lyrics of Strife's song Life or Death portray the feelings of a person who is struggling with mental illness and is experiencing loneliness and hopelessness. The opening lines "Under a pale grey sky I walk alone, I see the world come crashing down" suggest a feeling of isolation and despair, as the singer feels like the world around them is collapsing.
The lyrics delve deeper into the singer's mental health issues as they struggle with feelings of fear, delusions, and pain. They cry out for help but find that no one is around to offer support, leaving them feeling trapped and drowning in pain. The chorus of the song offers a glimmer of hope, as the singer recognizes that the choice between life and death is ultimately theirs to make.
The lyrics also touch on the idea of societal expectations and the fear of failure that can contribute to mental health struggles. The lines "Expected nothing, blinded by fear inside of me" suggest that the singer is struggling with pressure to perform and a fear of not living up to expectations. Ultimately, however, the song ends on a hopeful note as the singer declares their resolve to survive.
Overall, Strife's Life or Death offers a poignant and insightful portrayal of the struggles that many people face when dealing with mental illness. Through its raw and emotional lyrics, the song provides a powerful message of resilience and hope.
Line by Line Meaning
Under a pale grey sky I walk alone
I am feeling lonely and isolated in a bleak world
I see the world come crashing down
The world is in chaos and everything seems to be falling apart
Plagued by thoughts, fear, delusions
My mind is consumed by negative thoughts, anxieties, and illusions
I cry for help but no one's around
I feel helpless and abandoned in my struggle
Who can I trust?
I am questioning the loyalty and reliability of others
Where can I turn?
I am desperate for guidance and support
Help me-lift this weight that's crushing me
I need assistance in overcoming the heavy burden that is weighing me down
Trapped in a fog
I am unable to see through the haze of confusion and uncertainty
Drowning in pain
I am overwhelmed by emotional and physical suffering
Can't see past the darkness surrounding me
I am unable to envision a way out of my bleak circumstances
Life or death-the choice is mine
I have the power to either persevere or succumb to my struggles
When pain and hate are all I find
My experiences are dominated by suffering and negativity
I can't let it stop me
I refuse to allow my challenges to defeat me
Searching for hope I try to see through this confusion
I am actively seeking a sense of optimism and clarity in the midst of my turmoil
The world's weight is too much for me
I feel overwhelmed by the pressures and problems of the world
I gave my all
I have exhausted my resources and efforts in my struggle
Expected nothing
I did not anticipate any immediate relief or reward for my actions
Blinded by fear inside of me
My anxieties are clouding my judgment and reasoning
Alone in my life
I feel disconnected and isolated from others
I need a sign
I am seeking a clear indication or signal to guide me
When thoughts of death run through my mind
I am contemplating the possibility of suicide or self-destruction
Been lost-been down
I have endured a long period of confusion and depression
Can't give up but I'm running out of time
I am determined to persevere, but my resources and opportunities are dwindling
I will survive
Despite the challenges I face, I am committed to enduring and triumphing in the end
Contributed by Makayla R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dave Dudson
That’s the power which i expect from HC music💪💪💪💪