It seemingly took The Amity Affliction years to get their music together, releasing a demo in 2003 and a self-titled EP in 2004, but from the moment they released their High Hopes EP in 2007, the touring rampage began. In no time, The Amity Affliction was a household name amongst the hardcore community of Australia. Their mixture of metallic riffage, rock swagger and sing/scream vocal attacks made its mark on all who got in their way.
But it’s not just their music that people have taken notice of – Amity (as they are affectionately known) have an attitude and aura about their music and actions that has helped propel them even faster to the forefront of the scene. Fans come to their shows expecting flat out fun and excitement – the members always committing to making the party after the show as intense as the performance itself. The sing-along chants don’t end when the band gets off stage, and fans don’t leave after they play. With members involved in putting on punk rock clubs, music magazines, graffiti magazines, graphic design companies and online blogs that are well known throughout the country, Amity and it’s members are well ingrained into the culture and ethic of Australian hardcore culture.
‘Severed Ties’ was recorded in July and August of 2008, a grueling cross-country marathon of a record, recorded in Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane to get the best results. With guest vocals from JJ Peters (Deez Nuts, I Killed the Prom Queen), Michael Crafter (I Killed the Prom Queen, Carpathian, Confession), Matthew Wright (The Getaway Plan) and Helmet (The Daylight Curse), and production with Adelaide’s Darren Thompson, the 11 track full length was released in October 2008.
Severed Ties debuted at #26 on the Australian Charts and solidified The Amity Affliction as one of the most popular "heavy" bands in Australia. Triple J's national radio show "Short Fast Loud" had Severed Ties as #2 on their best albums of 2008, and popular punk site "KillYourStereo.com" listed it as #1.
In mid 2010 the band released their sophmore record 'Youngbloods'. The album debuted at #6 on the ARIA charts and has since gained significant recognition with the album constantly being voted #1 for 2010 by the public and recognized magazines alike, beating out Parkway Drive's 'Deep Blue' on many occasions. The album saw Amity's popularity sky rocket as the band has since done a sold-out national tour, tour the UK,US and Europe as well as playing the Soundwave Festival. The band is set to go on their largest tour to date with the Destroy Music Tour during May.
In October, The Amity Affliction set out on a new Australian tour with support from Asking Alexandria and Skyway! the "Fuck the Reaper" tour sold out in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. starting 2012 off with a bang, The Amity Affliction toured the 2012 Big Day Out, with fellow label mates and good friends The Getaway Plan, before touring America alongside Asking Alexandria, Trivium and may others on the "Still Reckless Tour"
On 8 February 2012 it was announced that The Amity Affliction had been signed to Roadrunner Records for their next album and future. On 7 May 2012, the band headed over to Orlando, Florida to start recording their third album with producer Michael Baskette. On 7 June 2012 it was announced the band's 3rd album would be titled Chasing Ghosts and was set to be released on 7 September 2012 in Australia, 17 September for the UK, and 18 September for the US.
It was revealed in a news article and magazine cover posted on 13/14 August that guitarist Imran Siddiqi would no longer be a part of the band. Furthermore, Siddiqi then did not appear in the video clip for the single "Chasing Ghosts" released on 15 August. A fill in guitarist played their album tour and U.S tour in late 2012.
After the release of Chasing Ghosts, the band had an Australian nationwide tour in September–October promoting their new album with supporting acts The Ghost Inside, Architects and Buried In Verona. Amity appeared on Soundwave in 2013 in February–March and also Warped Tour Australia at the end of the year.
It was announced by Joel Birch on 24 March 2013 that Dan Brown was the new guitarist, although he did not appear on the "Open Letter" music video.
In 2013 The Amity Affliction was part of Warped Tour in the United States with Chad Hasty (Glass Cloud) on drums and percussion due to Ryan Burt severely damaging his cornea during a set in Portland, Oregon. Later in the tour vocalist Joel Birch was also hospitalized due to unspecified illness, forcing the band to cancel their set in Pittsburgh. The band's next show in Cleveland was played due to the help of Sam Carter (Architects), Jason Aalon Butler (Letlive.) and Chris Roetter (Like Moths To Flames) sharing the stage as replacement vocals for Joel. All shows after this were played with Joel back on vocals after his recovery.
Late in 2013 the band went on to play the "Brothers In Arms" tour across Europe and Australia with support acts Landscapes and In Hearts Wake for the European portion and Chelsea Grin, Stick To Your Guns and In Hearts Wake for the Australian segment. In late 2013, the band released a demo of the song "Cave In". The single was speculated to be featured on the upcoming album. However, this was proved false when the band announced the track list for their upcoming fourth studio album. The first single from the bands forthcoming album titled "Pittsburgh" was released on 14 April. The second single "Don't Lean On Me" was released on 15 May. The album itself, titled Let the Ocean Take Me, was released on 6 June in Australia, 9 June in the UK, and 10 June in the U.S. it debuted at No. 1 on the Australian ARIA albums chart, becoming the band's second consecutive No. 1.
On 11 October, lead guitarist Troy Brady announced that he had decided to leave the band, making Ahren Stringer the only original member left in the band.
On 18 May 2015, The Amity Affliction released a trailer for their upcoming documentary film titled Seems Like Forever on YouTube. The video description contains links to pre-order the film, released on 10 July 2015 as a stand-alone DVD or a deluxe two-disc edition CD version of Let the Ocean Take Me, including two unreleased tracks, "Skeletons" (featured in the trailer) and "Farewell".
On 18 May 2016, The Amity Affliction posted a video to their Facebook page announcing their fifth studio album, This Could Be Heartbreak. It was also announced that the album would be released on 12 August and the band also released the music video for the first single, "I Bring the Weather with Me". The song also features clean vocals from Joel Birch. . On 10 July the band released their second single for the album, the title track "This Could Be Heartbreak" along with a music video. On 9 August, the band released a lyric video for the song "All Fucked Up" on YouTube. The band was also featured on the Fearless compilation Punk Goes Pop Vol. 7, covering The Weeknd's hit song "Can't Feel My Face". A music video for the cover was released on 22 June 2017. The Amity Affliction officially announced that Ryan Burt departed from the band due to mental health concerns on February 5, 2018.
On 20 June 2018, The Amity Affliction released the first single, "Ivy (Doomsday)", from their upcoming sixth studio album, Misery. The band announced that the album will be released on 24 August through Roadrunner Records. The band released an official video along with the release of "Ivy (Doomsday)". The band released the song "Feels Like I'm Dying" as a second part to the "Ivy (Doomsday)" video. The official track listing was eventually revealed on the band's website. It is their 4th album in a row to hit #1 on the Aria Albums Chart.
Two years later the band returned with Everyone Loves You... Once You Leave Them, their first studio LP with new drummer Joe Longobardi.
Discography:
Early Demos (2004) (EP)
The Amity Affliction (2005) (EP)
High Hopes (2007) (EP)
Severed Ties (2008)
Youngbloods (2010)
Glory Days (2010) (Compilation Album)
Chasing Ghosts (2012)
Let The Ocean Take Me (2014)
This Could Be Heartbreak (2016)
Misery (2018)
Everyone Loves You... Once You Leave Them (2020)
Somewhere Beyond The Blue (2021) (EP)
Not Without My Ghosts (2023)
Members:
Joel Birch - Unclean Vocals (2004-present)
Ahren Stringer - Clean Vocals/Bass (2003-present)
Dan Brown - Rhythm, later lead guitar (2013-present)
Joe Longobardi - Drums (2018-present)
Troy Brady - Lead Guitar (2003-2009, 2011-2014)
Clint Owen Ellis - Lead Guitar (2009-2011)
Trad Nathan - Keyboards (2006-2011)
Ryan Burt - Drums (2008-2018)
Troels Thomasen - Drums (2005-2008)
Close to Me
The Amity Affliction Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't come too close to me
I don't want you too close to me
You know I'll just tear you down
Life made me a fortress of fear
And I don't want you around
Oh, oh, I'm begging you
Oh, oh, stop playing with fire (oh, oh)
I am so lost and lonely
Always destroying what I have
I am so lost and lonely
Drag those I love towards the edge
Don't come too close to me
Don't come too close to me
I always try to hide from it
I'm my own worst enemy
The darkness grows inside of me
Just stay away from me please
Oh, oh, you're so fucking close
Oh, oh, I'm begging you
Oh, oh, stop playing with fire (oh, oh)
I am so lost and lonely
Always destroying what I have
I am so lost and lonely
Drag those I love towards the edge
I can't seem to exist like I'm really alive
So should I just end all of this?
Hide behind my mask where I'm already dead
And still, I can't just end it yet
I can't seem to exist like I'm really alive
So should I just end all of this?
I don't want to exist but I have to survive
For the ones I'd leave behind
For the ones I'd leave behind
For the ones I'd leave behind
Don't get too close to me
Don't come too close to me
Don't come too close to me
Don't come too close to me
I am so lost and lonely
Always destroying what I have
I am so lost and lonely
Drag those I love towards the edge
I am so lost and lonely
Always destroying what I have
I am so lost and lonely
Drag those I love towards the edge
The lyrics of "Close To Me" by The Amity Affliction explore themes of fear, self-destructiveness, and the struggle with emotional intimacy. The singer is plagued by a fortress of fear that has been constructed as a defense mechanism, making it difficult for anyone to get close to them. They express a deep longing for closeness, but at the same time, they are aware of their tendency to tear others down and destroy what they have. This self-destructive behavior stems from a deep sense of loneliness, where they feel lost and isolated.
Despite their desire for connection, the singer constantly pushes people away, asking them not to come too close. They recognize the darkness growing inside them and fear that getting too close to them will only result in pain and destruction. They feel like their own worst enemy, unable to truly live and exist in a fulfilling way. This internal struggle leads them to contemplate ending it all, but they are held back by the thought of leaving their loved ones behind.
Overall, the lyrics of "Close To Me" depict a battle between the desire for connection and the fear of causing harm to others. It highlights the complexity of emotional intimacy and the destructive patterns that can arise from deep-rooted loneliness and self-doubt.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't come too close to me
I don't want you too close to me
Don't come too close to me
You know I'll just tear you down
I don't want you too close to me
Life made me a fortress of fear
You know I'll just tear you down
And I don't want you around
Oh, oh, you're so fucking close
I am so lost and lonely
Oh, oh, I'm begging you
Always destroying what I have
Oh, oh, stop playing with fire (oh, oh)
Drag those I love towards the edge
I am so lost and lonely
I always try to hide from it
Always destroying what I have
I'm my own worst enemy
I am so lost and lonely
The darkness grows inside of me
Drag those I love towards the edge
Just stay away from me please
I can't seem to exist like I'm really alive
So should I just end all of this?
So should I just end all of this?
Hide behind my mask where I'm already dead
Hide behind my mask where I'm already dead
And still, I can't just end it yet
I can't seem to exist like I'm really alive
So should I just end all of this?
So should I just end all of this?
I don't want to exist but I have to survive
I don't want to exist but I have to survive
For the ones I'd leave behind
For the ones I'd leave behind
For the ones I'd leave behind
For the ones I'd leave behind
Don't get too close to me
Don't come too close to me
Don't come too close to me
Don't come too close to me
Don't come too close to me
Don't come too close to me
Don't come too close to me
Don't come too close to me
Don't come too close to me
I am so lost and lonely
I am so lost and lonely
Always destroying what I have
Always destroying what I have
I am so lost and lonely
I am so lost and lonely
Drag those I love towards the edge
Drag those I love towards the edge
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ahren Stringer, Joel Birch, Daniel Brown, Joseph Longobardi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lisa Capshaw
Don't come too close to me
Don't come too close to me
I don't want you too close to me
You know I'll just tear you down
Life made me a fortress of fear
And I don't want you around
You're so fucking close
I'm begging you
Stop playing with fire
I am so lost and lonely
Always destroying what I have
I am so lost and lonely
Drag those I love towards the edge
Don't come too close to me
Don't come too close to me
I always try to hide from it
I'm my own worst enemy
The darkness grows inside of me
Just stay away from me please
You're so fucking close
I'm begging you
Stop playing with fire
I am so lost and lonely
Always destroying what I have
I am so lost and lonely
Drag those I love towards the edge
I can't seem to exist like I'm really alive
So should I just end all of this?
Hide behind my mask where I'm already dead
And yet I can't just end it yet
I can't seem to exist like I'm really alive
So should I just end all of this?
I don't want to exist, but I have to survive
For the ones I'd leave behind
For the ones I'd leave behind
For the ones I'd leave behind
Don't come too close to me
Don't come too close to me
Don't come too close to me
Don't come too close to me
I am so lost and lonely
Always destroying what I have
I am so lost and lonely
Drag those I love towards the edge
I am so lost and lonely
Always destroying what I have
I am so lost and lonely
Drag those I love towards the edge
xDistance11
"I dont want to exist, but i have to survive for the ones I'd leave behind"
That was pretty heavy.
JC
Yes
Crypto Troll @OCryptoTroll
powerful indeed
Jim Mulholland
Some people need to let that sink in.
Fraend
smashed that lyrics
PhantomlordGiratina
That roar was incredible
brownpunk
i love when a band doesn't "evolve"...i love when a band remains consistent which made me love em in the first place. What a banger!!
Carlo
From time to time T.A.A always describes how I'm feeling in life. Their music helps me build up the strength to lift myself out of the hole I'm in. I'm grateful for their music.
SCT Karter
Man I was not emotionally ready to hear some of the words in this song. This is some deep, heavy, and relatable stuff. Amazing job. My favorite track for sure on the album
Nita
this one made me burst into tears… 😶 thank you T.A.A, your lyrics speak to me and i feel less alone when i listen to your songs