Nick Dominguez - Guitar
Joshua Colbert - Guitar
Chris Carbonell - Drums
Chad Neptune - Bass
Jason Berggren - Vocals
Strongarm started in 1993 and under this line-up recorded two demos: first there was a 3 track nameless demo recorded at this guy Tony Bartoli's house. It featured "Forgiven", "Stand Together" (both re-recorded for Atonement) and the otherwise unreleased song "Unfold". Shortly thereafter they recorded their second demo in a local studio with better production: a 4 track demo called "These Times That Try Men's Souls" (featuring the songs "Count The Cost", "Trials", "Remaining" and "Strenghtened In Faith". While recording this demo, Tooth & Nail Records contacted Strongarm expressing interest in them (how they heard of them is still a mystery today). Strongarm sent over their whole demo, and Strongarm’s song “Count the Cost” appeared on Tooth & Nail’s first compilation album entitled "Helpless Amongst Friends" (P.O.D. also appears on that). This demo, and Strongarm’s performance at Cornerstone Festival that year, caught the attention of Tooth & Nail Records president Brandon Ebel who signed them. The original line-up remained the same for the release of their debut album "Atonement" in early 1995. Shortly after the release of this album there were personal differences in the band, and Nick (who went on to form Tension) and Chris were asked to leave the band by Jason. They were replaced by Bob Franquiz on guitar (formerly of the South Florida band Amboogalard which also included a member who went on to join Marilyn Manson) and Steve Kleisath on drums (formerly of the Tampa band Pull). He also played in a band called Shai Hulud at the time; a band that had pretty much a similar sound. One of the reasons for this fact might have been that Joshua had played with Shai Hulud's guitar player Matt Fox around 1991 in a band called Planet X. They discovered that hardcore didn't necessarily have to mean powerchords... they experimented with other kind of chord arrangements and melody that led to the sound that distinguished both Strongarm and Shai Hulud from the hardcore scene at the time.
You can look at a copy in cache of how their artist page at Tooth & Nail looked like at that time by clicking here.
Bob Franquiz - Guitar
Joshua Colbert - Guitar
Steve Kleisath - Drums
Chad Neptune - Bass
Jason Berggren - Vocals
Under this line-up Strongarm composed 5 of the 9 songs that appear on their 2nd album (“Advent of a Miracle”, “These Times That Try Men’s Souls”, “Increase”, “Supplication”, and “Measure of Consequence”).They also did a video for Tooth & Nail, a rare 7-inch record entitled "Trials" which includes an early version of the song ‘Increase’ (with an awesome sample of Darth Vader), and a summer tour. Eventually personal differences came to a head again, and Jason and Bob decided to leave Strongarm to pursue other interests. Although only 5 songs had been written for their next album, the remaining members decided to regroup and press on. Nick rejoined the band on guitar and they were looking for a while for a good singer; but finally they decided that drummer Chris would rejoin as well, and do the vocals. Strongarm continued on and finished work on their album "The Advent Of A Miracle" which was released in 1997. The line-up for this album was:
Nick Dominguez - Guitar
Joshua Colbert - Guitar
Steve Kleisath - Drums
Chad Neptune - Bass
Chris Carbonell - Vocals
They did several tours and finally announced their break-up in 1998 at their final show at Cornerstone Festival. This is what Steve Kleisath said about it in an interview:
As far as the reason Strongarm broke up people always wonder. It wasn't any one thing; the commitment level needed wasn't there anymore. Two of the guys were married, Chris and Josh, and they weren't available to tour. And just to write a whole new album for us takes a long time. We had a few ideas, actually had a few new songs, which will probably never be released. The time that it would take to do it and then know we wouldn't be able to tour off it just wasn't worth it. We were supposed to go to Europe, and that fell through, which really took the wind out of our sails, we had planned it the summer before, and we were planning our whole lives around being gone for a month and that fell through at the last minute, like on our way to the airport. The promoter who set us up and also set us up with Zao and Living Sacrifice who were gonna meet us out there, he never sold the tickets, and that really let the wind out of our sails. That wasn't why we broke up, but at that point we sorta got the feeling "alright we’ve been around a while, I think we are in the twilight of the band."
But after a while Nick, Steve, Josh and Chad apparently couldn't live without being in a band so they decided to form a new band called Further Seems Forever.Click here to see how they announced it on the Strongarm homepage at the time. They found a vocalist called Chris Carraba to fill up Chris Carbonell's place. The musical direction had switched from hardcore to emo, and also the missionary aspect that Strongarm clearly had was no longer there.
In 2000, Strongarm made a reunion appearance at Furnace Fest. It was the same line-up as it was when they broke up. On the song "Trials", they had their buddy Matt Fox on drums.
Division
Strongarm Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
| failure in short can be defined by an unwillingness to learn from a past mistake with every decision there is a condition and in every choice a price to pay as we carry on in this day and age the hardships that befall us for our mind set often come from misunderstanding turned judgment and so we are separated and labeled outcasts intolerant short-sighted narrow-minded unfairly held to an unfair vice but we cannot compromise what we believe even though it brings condemnation it will come again persecution this division amongst men only causes dissent the distance between us is merely difference if we do not have regard for a mutual respect who will benefit this separates man this age of anger is choking itself these hands have killed this age of anger is choking itself they shall surely do it again this age of anger is shedding its own these hands must learn |
The lyrics from Strongarm's song "Division" addresses the issue of division amongst people that is caused by misunderstandings and intolerance. The singer talks about how failure is the result of being unwilling to learn from past mistakes and how every decision we make comes with a price to pay. The hardships that we face in this day and age are often the result of the division caused by judgmental attitudes and labeling others as outcasts based on narrow-mindedness.
Furthermore, the singer acknowledges that although it may be hard to stick to one's beliefs in the face of condemnation and persecution, it is important not to compromise these beliefs. The division amongst men only causes dissent and separation, and it is only through mutual respect that we can prevent this. The age of anger that we live in is slowly choking itself, and the singer warns that if we do not learn to show regard for a mutual respect, we will only continue to shed our own blood.
Overall, the song "Division" by Strongarm highlights the importance of bridging the gap between individuals and learning to tolerate one another despite our differences. It preaches the message that division only leads to destruction, and that unity through mutual respect is the only way forward.
Line by Line Meaning
failure in short can be defined by an unwillingness to learn from a past mistake
Not learning from mistakes leads to failure.
with every decision there is a condition and in every choice a price to pay
Every decision has consequences and every choice has a cost.
as we carry on in this day and age the hardships that befall us for our mind set often come from misunderstanding
Misunderstandings often create hardships for us in this era.
turned judgment and so we are separated and labeled outcasts intolerant short-sighted narrow-minded unfairly held to an unfair vice
Judgment leads to separation and labeling as outcasts, and unfairly held to a narrow-minded standard.
but we cannot compromise what we believe even though it brings condemnation it will come again persecution
We can't compromise our beliefs even if it brings condemnation or persecution.
this division amongst men only causes dissent the distance between us is merely difference if we do not have regard for a mutual respect who will benefit this separates man
Division only leads to disagreement and the separation is just a difference. If we don't respect each other, no one benefits and it only separates us further.
this age of anger is choking itself these hands have killed this age of anger is choking itself they shall surely do it again this age of anger is shedding its own these hands must learn
Anger in this era is harming itself, and will continue to do so. We must learn from our mistakes and stop ourselves from causing harm.
Contributed by Lily R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Gerardo Villarroel
I'm an atheist since 12 years old. This band once accused my former band (Morning Again) of possibly robbing their gear from a warehouse. I was upset because I loved Strongarm so much. I even went to their "last South Florida show" at Club Q. I still love this band heart and soul...
Adrian Zamora
morning again is one of my favorite bands
Reformed Stoic
Can already tell I'm gonna like this band. The drummer is sick, I know him from further seems forever.
Johnny Di Donna
You're talking about Steve Kleisath, who is one of the best drummers in any genre. BUT, Steve is not playing on this album, it was the original drummer. I know because Steve and I were there doing back up vocals for the recording.
Chris Harris
These guys are great!
Jon Roland
This was one of my favorite songs, i grew up on the good stuff. it's a shame what hardcore has become..
sirt3z on Instagram
awesome band ...
xutom Kawakami
thanks !! one of the best band ever.
john barcelo
i saw this band in their original lineup as well as the original line up of zao it was a really fun show it took place in huntington beach it was so fun
Jason Howell
Still got my original CD from high school