The story of the Action Design began with the closing of a different chapter. Just as pop punk act Tsunami Bomb was hitting its peak – seemingly poised and ready to take over the world – the band abruptly disbanded. Feeling they still had something to contribute to the music scene, vocalist Emily Whitehurst and bassist Matt Mckenzie soldiered on and joined forces with guitarist Jaycen McKissick (ex-Pipedown) and drummer Jake Krohn (ex-Calcutta Bazaar). Tsunami Bomb and Pipedown were former touring mates and Mckenzie and Krohn were childhood friends, so the chemistry and familiarity had already been established.
Rather than travel down the same paths they had already paved – after all, it would be easy to pick up where their former bands had left off – the Action Design decided to explore new ground. While keeping the energy and spirit of punk rock intact, the guitars are cleaner, the bass lines less frantic, and the drumming more precise. With the addition of keyboards, the result is a much broader and more accessible sound. One thing that fortunately remained unchanged, however, is Whitehurst’s penchant for crafting catchy melodies and memorable lyrics.
The band played their first show in June of 2007 and wasted no time heading into the recording studio. The result was the EP “Into A Sound” released in September of 2007. Therein lie six fine-tuned gems that continue to swirl in the head and tap toes long after the music has stopped. The response was overwhelming, with various tracks being played on specialty radio.
The momentum continued to gain ground with the band’s touring schedule. They started off in June playing the west coast Warped Tour dates (including Canada), and by the end of 2007, they had stormed the southern half of the US. Due to their vibrant live performances at Warped Tour, the band was asked to participate in the movie soundtrack for “Endless Bummer” and was subsequently placed in a prominent spot in the film. They were also asked to return for Warped Tour ‘08, playing double the amount of dates.
As a final push for “Into A Sound” before switching gears toward a full-length album, the Action Design filmed a video for the song “Connect/Disconnect” which was immediately put into rotation in various outlets nationwide. The band is currently focusing on the newest collection of material, and will be releasing a premier full-length in summer. They also have multiple tours lined up and plan on covering the entire US and more this year.
With a full touring schedule and an album due out soon, it’s only a matter of time before the Action Design takes its hold on the world. But be warned: if you don’t find yourself singing along or dancing up a storm, it might just mean you don’t have a pulse.
Landmines
The Action Design Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who she was burning in the lights
Now it's all for show, in case you didn't know
She's so fargone that she might that as well go
Just go
You know I won't deny it
Oh oh, she's not the girl you used to know
Making her way
Just killing time, just killing time
Walking on landmines, walking on landmines
Don't bother looking for the girl you used to know, she's gone
Make herself into a living mannequin
Lonely girl tries to find herself again
It's all for show and what she doesn't know
Is it tears her down so that she's gotta let go
Let go when you're looking through the keyhole
Oh oh, she's not the girl you used to know
Walking on landmines, walking on landmines
Making her way
Just killing time, just killing time
Walking on landmines, walking on landmines
Don't bother looking for the girl you used to know, she's gone
She's gone
She's gone
She's gone
Walking on landmines, walking on landmines (landmines)
Making her way (way)
Just killing time, just killing time
Walking on landmines, walking on landmines (landmines)
Don't bother looking for the girl you used to know, she's gone
(she's gone, she's gone)
Don't bother looking for the girl you used to know, she's gone
(she's gone, she's gone)
Don't bother looking for the girl you used to know
She's gone
The Action Design's "Landmines" is a powerful, emotion-filled song about a girl who has lost herself in the limelight. The opening lines, "Sucks down into a whirlpool going under / Who she was burning in the lights," suggest that this girl is slowly losing herself in the entertainment industry. The chorus, "Walking on landmines, walking on landmines / Making her way / Just killing time, just killing time / Walking on landmines, walking on landmines," indicates that she is just going through the motions, aimlessly walking and waiting for something to happen.
The second verse, "Make herself into a living mannequin / Lonely girl tries to find herself again / It's all for show and what she doesn't know / Is it tears her down so that she's gotta let go," portrays the girl as putting on a front for the world while struggling internally with her identity. The repetition of "she's gone" in the last lines of the song only reinforces the idea that she has lost herself entirely.
The song's emotional impact is heightened by the tense, driving music that accompanies the lyrics. The powerful drumbeat and guitar riffs represent the chaos and turmoil that the girl is going through, and the soaring vocals reflect the intensity of the situation. Overall, "Landmines" is a poignant examination of the price of fame and the toll that it can take on one's sense of self.
Line by Line Meaning
Sucks down into a whirlpool going under
She feels like she's sinking into a deep, dark hole and can't escape.
Who she was burning in the lights
She's lost herself and is now putting on a facade for others, constantly seeking their attention and approval.
Now it's all for show, in case you didn't know
She's pretending to be someone she's not, and it's just to impress others.
She's so fargone that she might as well go
She's so lost and disconnected from herself that she might as well give up trying.
You know I won't deny it
The artist acknowledges that the girl has changed and is no longer who she used to be.
Oh oh, she's not the girl you used to know
The girl has changed and is no longer recognizable to the singer or anyone who knew her before.
Walking on landmines, walking on landmines
She's navigating a dangerous path, one wrong move could be catastrophic.
Making her way
She's trying to move forward, but it's a difficult and treacherous journey.
Just killing time, just killing time
She's just going through the motions, not really living or enjoying life.
Don't bother looking for the girl you used to know, she's gone
The girl is gone, she's changed so much that she's unrecognizable and impossible to find.
Make herself into a living mannequin
She's lost her sense of self and is now just trying to fit into what society thinks she should be.
Lonely girl tries to find herself again
She's disconnected from herself, and feels lost and alone as she tries to figure out who she really is.
Is it tears her down so that she's gotta let go
Her fake persona is causing her so much pain and confusion that she needs to let it go to find herself again.
Let go when you're looking through the keyhole
She needs to let go of her fake self when she's alone and truly examining herself, so that she can find the real her.
She's gone
The girl she used to be is gone and can't be found.
Contributed by Alex B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Zeff
Epic...just Epic....I miss Tsunami but this new band is radio friendly, I'm going to spread the word with my friends that work for Capitol Records.....I want you guys to be huge.
006sick
I love this band but I miss Tsunami Bomb so much!!! :(
goldibollocks
Same
Frodoe Kushies N Cream
This deserves way more views ❤
Nick Danger
I'd always loved the harmonies of this song but it wasn't until a recent listen that I really got the underlying sadness behind the lyrics. Some of my friends (and I as well for that matter) have gone through similar toxic relationships where they've lost themselves trying to please other people and it's a real shame. Anyway...great song. /drunk rant
VitrescentTortoise
Love this song, can't get it out of my head!
Jonny Lullaby
I actually really like this one!!! Super catchy!
SkelvinKnight
Badass!I'm in a band and I'm a male and I want to cover this song.It rocks!!!
Aramis
This song deserves way more views!
Tim Dahle
Anybody who likes this band should check out Agent M's last band called, Tsunami Bomb they were awesome, and they will always be awesome.