In 1997, Taproot sent their demo to Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst. Impressed with their material, he offered to get them a recording contract through Interscope Records. However, after extended negotiations, Taproot looked elsewhere, where they finally landed a lucrative record deal with Atlantic Records. Durst heavily cursed the band on vocalist Stephen Richards' answering machine. He also put some blame on System of a Down, who assisted Taproot in securing the Atlantic deal. In retaliation, Durst also kicked System of a Down off the 1999 Family Values Tour, replacing them with Staind. Taproot later went on to independently release three albums: ...Something More Than Nothing (1998), Mentobe (1998) and Upon Us (1999).
The band released their debut album Gift on June 27, 2000. With the album's lead single "Again & Again" gaining heavy exposure through MTV2, the band's mainstream rise gained momentum. With the help of Ozzy Osbourne's son Jack, Taproot landed a spot on the second stage of the 2000 and 2001 Ozzfest tour.
After spending seven months in Los Angeles, the band released their second album Welcome on October 15, 2002. Considered to be a more melodic effort, the album debuted at #17 on the Billboard 200, selling over 51,000 copies in its first week of release. Much of this was due to the success of the album's first single, "Poem", which shot to #5 on the Mainstream Rock charts. The album's second single, "Mine", followed with more moderate success. Welcome is Taproot's most successful album to date, almost achieving gold status, with approximately 475,000 copies sold. After touring across the country on Disturbed's Music as a Weapon Tour, as well as a European tour, the band took a two-year break.
Returning from their break, the band released their third major album Blue-Sky Research on August 16, 2005. Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins frontman) assisted in songwriting on the album, which was produced by Toby Wright. It debuted at #33 on the Billboard 200, with approximately 28,000 first week sales. The Bands single "Calling" was used by the WWE 2005 pay-per-view "Unforgiven."
The band headlined a major tour with Evans Blue and From Satellite to promote its release. Prior to the headline tour, Taproot acted as direct support to Chevelle on their tour alongside 30 Seconds to Mars. They also participated in the Fall Brawl Tour, which featured Staind and P.O.D. as headliners, and is notable for taking the then-unknown Flyleaf along as the opening act for the three bands.
On May 23, 2006, it was reported that Taproot had parted ways with Atlantic Records, after disappointing sales of Blue-Sky Research. At the time, the album had sold 112,000 copies since its release. On June 13, 2006, drummer Jarrod Montague, via Taproot's MySpace blog, confirmed the news.
On March 5, 2007, the band confirmed that they were in the process of recording their new album with producer Tim Patalan. According to Philip Lipscomb's MySpace blog, their new album Our Long Road Home is complete and will be released sometime in early 2008. On March 2, 2008, the band released a song from Our Long Road Home entitled "You're Not Home Tonight" on their website. This song has been played on XM Satellite Radio, Squizz 48 Indicent Exposure with Grant Random Sirius Satellite Radio on Octane. A teaser trailer for Our Long Road Home was added to the Taproot Youtube page on April 28, 2008. At the end of the video, it was stated that the album would be released on August 5, 2008.
According to the Taproot website, the band has decided to forgo signing to a major label. Their new album Our Long Road Home will be released independently through their management firm Velvet Hammer Music in a 50/50 partnership with the band themselves. Distribution was handled with Sony-owned RED Distribution.
Our Long Road Home was released on September 16, 2008. The disc was distributed in a cardboard sleeve and released to all major outlets. Just over a week after the album's release, it was announced that long-time drummer Jarrod Montague would be leaving the band and replaced by Nick Fredell. The band released a statement regarding the change in lineup:
""After 10 years of touring, our drummer and good friend Jarrod will be sitting out this cycle and we will be replacing him with our long time friend Nick Fredell. We'll miss Jarrod's presence out on the road, but Nick has fit in perfectly and we're excited for all of our fans to meet him. Jarrod's still very much a part of our family, so you'll be seeing him in press and the "Wherever I Stand" video which is out now on Youtube..."
In Spring 2009, Taproot went on the road with Dear Enemy and Adakain for the Take It! tour. Later that year, they co-headlined a U.S. tour with Cold, in addition to releasing the following statement: "Taproot has a few upcoming shows in November and December and will start writing their new record in January/ February of 2010. We hope to get into the studio sometime in February and March. We will be looking at a release date sometime in the late spring possibly early summer of 2010!"
After a brief period without a record label, Taproot signed with Victory Records. On April 1, 2010, at midnight, the band released the lead single for their upcoming album. The song was "Fractured (Everything I Said Was True)". A video for the song followed the release soon after debuting on the band's Youtube channel on April 16. Soon after, the band released their 7th studio album Plead The Fifth.
Current Members:
Vocals, Guitar: Stephen Richards
Bass: Phil Lipscomb
Guitar: Dave Lizzio
Drums: Dave Coughlin
Past Members:
Drums: Jarrod Montague
Guitar: Mike DeWolf
Drums: Nick Fredell
http://www.taprootmusic.com
Again And Again
Taproot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lyrics of Taproot's "Again & Again" describe a situation where the singer is feeling sick and angry towards their friends, who have been talking behind their back. The singer attributes this behavior to their friends' jealousy towards the singer's spirit, which is stuck in contention and fame. The singer feels the need to take some time for themselves and regain control over their life. The chorus repeats the phrase "again and again," which could refer to the cycle of betrayal and forgiveness that the singer has experienced with their friends.
The lyrics suggest that the singer has tried to apologize to their friends, but they feel like their apology is not being heard or taken seriously. Despite this, the singer declares that they can move on and express their remorse. The tone of the lyrics oscillates between anger and sadness, reflecting the complex emotions of the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
sick and angered by my friends extremely cold and heartless
I am feeling very upset and angry because my friends are being very distant and unsympathetic towards me.
talkin shit behind my back about me to my friends
They are saying negative things about me to my other friends without my knowledge or consent.
the source a jealous passion towards a spirit stuck in contention and fame
Their negative behavior stems from their envy towards me and my perceived success.
just need some time to myself again
I require solitude and space to recover from this situation and think about my own needs.
need to bring back the old days when i was in control of my life again and again
I want to regain the sense of autonomy and control that I once had in my life, repeatedly, over time.
just endangered w/ my friends extremely bold and honest
Now I feel exposed and vulnerable due to the bold and uncompromising actions of my friends.
i'll be when it comes to me i said i'm sorry but you don't hear me
I am willing to be honest with myself and apologize, but they are not willing to listen or forgive me.
i tried to say that i was sorry to you but you don't think i speak honestly
I attempted to express remorse and honesty, but they doubted my sincerity.
that's ok cause i can move on i'm so sorry....no
However, I am prepared to move on from this negativity, even if they are unwilling to accept my apologies.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: ANDY BOWN, JACKIE LYNTON, RICK PARFITT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@theTaprooTube
Lyrics:
Sick and angered by my friends extremely cold
Heartless talkin' shit behind my back about me
To my friends the source a jealous passion
Towards a spirit stuck in contention and feel
Just need some time to myself again
Need to bring back the old days
When I was in control of my life
Again and again
Just endangered with my friends extremely bold
Honest I'll be when it comes to me
I said I'm sorry
But you don't hear me
Just need some time to myself again
Need to bring back the old days
When I was in control of my life
Again and again
Just need some time to myself again
Need to bring back the old days
When I was in control of my life
Again and again
I tried to say that I was sorry to you
But you don't think I speak honestly
That okay 'cause I can move on now
I'm so sorry, no
Just need some time to myself again
Need to bring back the old days
When I was in control of my life
Again and again
Just need some time to myself again
Need to bring back the old days
When I was in control of my life
Again and again
@royalsoldier6569
This album is really therapeutic.
I assume Stephen is responsible for the lyrics and just want to say that I hope him and the band are well. This album dives deep into finding yourself and finding hope. Feelings of depression, anxiety, loneliness, toxic people. It’s great music but I think listening to the music and getting so hyped up we forget the story that’s being told.
This album is truly a gift for anybody struggling, needing comfort. For me, a very relatable record.
1. Smile-Pretending to be happy when you’re not because you want to be. You’re trying to convince yourself. “Trying to create that contagious smile.”
2. Again and Again-Needing space after finding out your friends have talked bad about you behind your back. Trying to pull through and wanting things to go back to how they were. “Just need some time to myself again, need to bring back the old days when I was in control of my life, again and again.” It shows how we have a “friend” and we upset them and they show their true colors by talking crap and not accepting our apology.
3. Emotional Times-Similar theme to Smile (pretending to be fine). “I’m just fine.” Same with Again and Again (friendships falling apart). “Friendships turn to lies.”
4. Now-A significant other doesn’t feel he’s getting the same effort in the relationship and is torn apart. “I need to see your eyes on me.”
5. 1 Nite Stand-Making time for yourself and discovering something new about yourself. We all need to focus on ourselves because we always help others out and it drains us. “Lately, doubt and worries inflicted my mind.” “(I can) see my destiny is chasing me. I'm finally happy and ready to go.”
6. Believed-Being judged, lied to, and pressured. The song goes deep into how the person looks down on everybody. “Blaming evil upon another under that pedestal you hold yourself so high above us I can't imagine what it's like to not a give a shit about nothing.” The chorus states that we are outcasted for being individuals and this person wants us to be followers and follow them. This is most likely about a friend who tries to control you and manipulate your other friends to exclude you. He believed this person was his friend but they were just someone who wanted power and to turn his friends against him.
7. Mentobe-Conflict between making an adult decision and a childish decision. He talks a lot about hiding his true side and how he wants to recognize and see something. He can’t see it for what it is because the “little boy” is holding him back. It could be about a friend who did you wrong and you want to help. “This little boy proud of helping those in need.” He’s the little boy but now a grown man who can either help the person that hurt him and be hurt again or make an adult decision and realize you can’t let everybody walk back into your life. “But he's not me but just maybe he could be.” He isn’t a child anymore but doing what the child would do by seeing the good in someone who isn’t would make him that child again. “Tears a waterfall of acid cries from his eyes, I need to recognize its meant to be, oh no.” He realizes that he’s going to let his emotions get the best of him and allow himself to be taken advantage of. “It's somethin' with my pride, lies, I cannot hide my true side. His pride stops him from helping but his true side is the child who wants to make everybody happy. Am i hard to recognize? “What do i need to realize? Why can't I see with my own fucking eyes? What do I need to see?” He doesn’t know if he’s the child or adult anymore.
8. I-Not thinking your good enough to knowing you are. Sometimes he can’t see any qualities in himself because he made a mistake that ruined his friendships and families perception of him. I need forgiveness from the people I truly care about, I need support behind my back to help me spit it out, I'm gonna win, I can't afford to blow this one.” Whatever he did, it ruined his life and he’s beating himself up over it but wants to give himself a second chance.
9. Mirror’s Reflection-We are a mirror of those we judge. When we judge other’s, we don’t realize that what we make fun of them for and put them down for is stuff that we hate about ourselves. “Used me, but you don't want to know me, used me, but you don't know.” They sometimes manipulate us into thinking they like us but really couldn’t care less about our feelings or well being. Sometimes, I would give anything, just to be something more than nothing, something more than nothing.” We wish that we mattered to them. I had a friend who ended up becoming my worst enemy and ruined my life.
10. Dragged Down-Best song on the album! It’s about not having anybody to go to when you feel down so you go through it alone. The one person he tried to go to doesn’t care about his problems and he feels dragged down because he was abandoned by the person he trusted most. “I'm just a person like you, I’m just a fuck up that's true but your the only one I'll turn to by my side.” He’s telling that person that he puts all his trust in them.
11. Comeback-He needs his spiritual guides to come back to him. He’s going on a downward spiral of bad habits and is asking for help. “I need to say goodbye to these old ways stagnant lifestyle's no longer in my way, I gotta keep on movin'.” “So I pray, and wait for a sign from my guides.”
12. Impact-Making a good impact on people. “It's my gift, my intentions are only well.”
13. Day By Day-Trying to become a better person everyday but you always make a mistake by saying or doing something that turns people off. “I don't intend to create a pain in your heart, I'm a pain in the ass, ‘cause that's what I'm about.” The last song was impact but this song is impact vs intent. This song shows that even though his intentions we are good previously, this time the impact they had were negative. He tries to apologize but it’s not enough. “I'm on my way, I'm leaving for good, I pray that you forgive me for all the harm that I caused.”
10/10!
@theTaprooTube
Lyrics:
Sick and angered by my friends extremely cold
Heartless talkin' shit behind my back about me
To my friends the source a jealous passion
Towards a spirit stuck in contention and feel
Just need some time to myself again
Need to bring back the old days
When I was in control of my life
Again and again
Just endangered with my friends extremely bold
Honest I'll be when it comes to me
I said I'm sorry
But you don't hear me
Just need some time to myself again
Need to bring back the old days
When I was in control of my life
Again and again
Just need some time to myself again
Need to bring back the old days
When I was in control of my life
Again and again
I tried to say that I was sorry to you
But you don't think I speak honestly
That okay 'cause I can move on now
I'm so sorry, no
Just need some time to myself again
Need to bring back the old days
When I was in control of my life
Again and again
Just need some time to myself again
Need to bring back the old days
When I was in control of my life
Again and again
@centillion1684
E
@yuzadesilva5961
🤘
@loraschwarz2410
I absolutely agree. I saw them live and hung out with them. Nicest guys ever ❤
@slipknotpurity00
Taproot is one of those bands who never got as big as they should have
@jerleneh.
They have a huge following in their hometown of Ann Arbor MI
@DG-oo8zf
Despite big bands wearing their merch and even issues with some bands brought forward with those bands.
@josho8362
Because they dont have big appeal.
@bigbeauf_____3167
Because mainstream media can't deal with or like hardcore music.
@bryanstewart7159
Maybe they would've with a different singer.