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
fractured
Taproot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's based on fact, but filled with lies
(you'd be rich if each was worth a dime)
I played my part and that's defined
You played the field on borrowed time
(and I know that fault was all but mine)
I chose to let you in
I jumped right out of my skin
When I heard you say
Everything I said was true
Everything except that I love you
If anekatips it's not me, than who?
I think I deserve to know
Now we're through and through
No glory resides inside my mind
At least I never crossed the line
(cause I don't need the distraction)
But an angel appeared on your devil's side
Nowhere to run nowhere to hide
(I'm just a nickel with traction)
So should we say goodnight
And give it one more try?
This isn't worth the fight
So let's just say goodbye
Everything I said was true
Everything except I love you too
And if it's not me, it's you!
I thought you deserved to know
Now we're through and through
Sad to see forethought after me cause
That's not fair
Put yourself in my shoes and become
The fractured one cause
I no longer care!
Everything I said was true
Everything except that I love you
And if it's not me, fuck you!
I thought you deserved to know
Now I'm through with you
And if it's not me, it's you!
And if it's not me, it's you!
The lyrics of Taproot's song "Fractured" convey a message about how two people's perspectives on a relationship can be completely different. The first verse introduces the idea that there are multiple sides to a story and that the singer's partner has been lying. The second verse details the singer's feelings of betrayal, despite having been open and honest throughout the relationship. The chorus repeats the idea that everything the singer has said has been true except for their love for their partner, and questions whether their partner truly values the relationship. The bridge asserts that the singer no longer cares about the fractured relationship and declares their desire to move on.
The song shows how two people can experience the same relationship in completely different ways. The singer's partner has been lying and playing the field, while the singer has been honest and open. Despite this, the singer still cares and questions their partner's feelings. The bridge asserts the singer's independence from their partner and their desire to move on from the fractured relationship. Overall, the lyrics of "Fractured" bring attention to the complexities of relationships and the importance of honesty in mutual understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
Your story only tells one side,
Your version of events is incomplete,
It's based on fact, but filled with lies
While your story has some truth, it is mostly made up of falsehoods.
(you'd be rich if each was worth a dime)
Your lies are so prevalent that you would be wealthy if each one were valuable.
I played my part and that's defined
I did my role in this situation, and it is clear what that was.
You played the field on borrowed time
You were involved with others while in a committed relationship, and this could not go on forever.
(and I know that fault was all but mine)
Although you acted wrongly, I take responsibility for my role in allowing this to happen.
I chose to let you in
I made the decision to open up to you emotionally.
You chose to pull away
You decided to distance yourself from me.
I jumped right out of my skin
Your actions caused me to react in a strong and immediate way.
When I heard you say
Your words had a significant impact on me.
Everything I said was true
I was honest in my communications with you.
Everything except that I love you
Except for the fact that I was not in love with you.
If anekatips it's not me, than who?
If I am not the one you are looking for, then who are you searching for?
I think I deserve to know
I believe that I am entitled to understand the truth.
Now we're through and through
Our relationship is unequivocally over.
No glory resides inside my mind
I do not feel any sense of pride or accomplishment about this situation.
At least I never crossed the line
I can say with confidence that I did not violate any important boundaries.
(cause I don't need the distraction)
I avoided any unnecessary drama or complications.
But an angel appeared on your devil's side
Someone who seemed virtuous and pure became involved with you despite your flawed behavior.
Nowhere to run nowhere to hide
You cannot escape this situation or its consequences.
(I'm just a nickel with traction)
I am not particularly noteworthy or important, but I have enough influence to make a difference.
So should we say goodnight
Is it time to end this interaction?
And give it one more try?
Should we attempt to salvage our relationship?
This isn't worth the fight
The effort required to continue this relationship is too great.
So let's just say goodbye
We should simply end this relationship.
Sad to see forethought after me cause
It is upsetting to realize that you did not consider the consequences of your actions.
That's not fair
It is unjust or unreasonable.
Put yourself in my shoes and become
Imagine yourself in my situation and experience
The fractured one cause
The one who is hurt and broken.
I no longer care!
I am no longer emotionally invested in this relationship or its outcome.
And if it's not me, fuck you!
If I am not the one you want or need, then I am not interested in any further interaction with you.
Now I'm through with you
I have concluded this relationship and I am done with this matter.
And if it's not me, it's you!
If there is an issue or problem, it is your responsibility to resolve it.
And if it's not me, it's you!
Again, the responsibility for resolving any problems is yours.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Michael Frederick De Wolf, Nicholas Gerald Fredell, Philip M Lipscomb, Stephen Steele Richards
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@joepalladino9257
21 years later and still listening to Taproot
@robdubent
Dang it’s been that long?????
@wjveryzer7985
@@robdubent dont forget to buy the new song! Stephen did the entire thing by himself he need support!
@FLtrailblazer
same here
@jeffreyallen6545
Same. Sucks they've been mostly inactive for the last 10 years
@meatshield72
Just saw them live a few days ago!
@hasmize
Glad to see people still jamming to this in 2024
@hasmize
Criminally underrated band. Listening in October 2020
@outofthedark18_gaming
Such a good band and song.♡
@NoFishTacos4You
2020❤️