… Read Full Bio ↴(Note: This lineup is now recording and performing as Mt. Helium.)
Formed in 1999, The Apex Theory began as a local act not interested in being signed, only to have numerous labels contact them due to word of mouth. Three of the original band members (former vocalist Ontronik "Andy" Khatchaturian, bassist David Hakopyan and guitarist and current vocalist Art Karamian) are Armenian by heritage.
In 2000 the band released an independent EP entitled Extendemo, which resulted in their signing to Dreamworks Records in early 2001. Shortly thereafter, the band entered the studio with Don Gilmore (whose credits include the likes of Linkin Park, Velvet Revolver and Avril Lavigne), who produced their self-titled major-label debut EP, and their full-length debut, Topsy-Turvy, which were released on October 9, 2001 and April 2, 2002, respectively. The band's first (and only) singles, "Shhh... (Hope Diggy)" and "Apossibly" garnered the band mainstream success as both were featured extensively in MTV2's rotation. "Apossibly" was also used in promotion of the videogame Minority Report: Everybody Runs.
The band toured for a good portion of the next few years in support of their major-label albums, first playing Vans Warped Tour and co-headlining MTV2's Tour with Lostprophets in 2001. In the summer of 2002, the band played on the second stage of Ozzfest.
Later in 2002, vocalist Ontronik "Andy" Khachaturian (who previously played drums for System of a Down before founding The Apex Theory) left the band due to differences in musical opinions. Khachaturian is currently involved in a solo project and a band dubbed VoKEE. After searching for a replacement, the remaining members decided to continue as a three-piece outfit, with guitarist Art Karamian taking responsibility for vocal duties as well.
The Apex Theory officially resurfaced in 2004, self-releasing their latest EP, inthatskyissomethingwatching. Though the band has not embarked on a national tour as of yet, they have successfully played countless shows in their home state of California.
On June 30, 2006, the band announced the completion of their first full-length album without their former vocalist, Ontronik. The album was titled Faces, and was released under the band name Mt. Helium.
Band members
Current lineup (2002 to Present)
* Art Karamian (Vocals, Guitar)
* David Hakopyan (Bass)
* Sammy J. Watson (Drums)
Previous lineup (1999 to 2002)
* Ontronik "Andy" Khatchaturian (Vocals)
* Art Karamian (Guitar)
* David Hakopyan (Bass)
* Sammy J. Watson (Drums)
Discography
* Extendemo (2000)
* The Apex Theory (2001)
* Topsy-Turvy (2002)
* inthatskyissomethingwatching (2004)
* Lightpost [EP] (2007)
* (as Mt. Helium) Faces (2007)
Mucus Shifters
The Apex Theory Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Suck up social members
Have you realized the patience given not given back?
Working, ready-made fix-it-quick
Years of little gain
Push me too far blind bats it will never end
Know money
For all you hard working people I'll sing it again
Know money
Life is plenty funny
For all you hard working people the day never ends
Multi-vitamins tea bags vitamin see in me
Anxious pee-ons rule-by-law
Laced with e, laze-ery
Hold on my foot in your mouth
Taste the asphalt
Slobbery wet smokers breathe for you
And now I'm breathing you
Know money
Life is plenty funny
For all you hard working people I'll sing it again
K(no)w money
Life is plenty funny
For all you hard working people the day never ends
K(no)w money
Life is plenty funny
For all you hard working people I'll sing it again
K(no)w money
Life is plenty funny
For all you hard working people the day never ends
I want to feel like the man who never lost his soul
Took advice because I thought I could've had it all
Didn't know that a better life was possible
Impossible
I can feel like the kid who never lost his soul
Take advice and believe that it's attainable
You could say that a better life is possible
Impossible
K(no)w money
Life is plenty funny
For all you hard working people I'll sing it again
K(no)w money
Life is plenty funny
For all you hard working people the day never ends
K(no)w money
Life is plenty funny
For all you hard working people I'll sing it again
K(no)w money
Life is plenty funny
For all you hard working people the day never ends
For all you hard working people the day never ends
For all you hard working people the day never ends
For all you hard working people the day never ends
For all you hard working people the day never ends
The song "Mucus Shifters" by The Apex Theory deals with the frustration and dissatisfaction experienced by hard-working individuals who feel that they are not receiving the recognition or compensation they deserve. The opening lines refer to "mucus-shifters" and "throat-menders" as a metaphor for those who excel at being social and ingratiating themselves to those in positions of power. The singer poses the question of whether or not these individuals realize that they are not returning the patience and understanding they receive.
The lyrics also touch on the theme of working hard for years with little gain, and feeling pushed too far. The phrase "know money, life is plenty funny" suggests that the struggles of the working class are not always fully appreciated by those in positions of wealth and power. In the second half of the song, the lyrics become more hopeful, with the singer expressing a desire to feel like someone who has not lost their soul and to believe that a better life is indeed possible.
Overall, the song encourages listeners to recognize their own worth and to not give up on the dream of a better life, even when things seem difficult.
Line by Line Meaning
Mucus-shifters throat-menders
People who suck up to others just to get ahead
Suck up social members
These individuals target people who are socially connected or popular
Have you realized the patience given not given back?
People who take advantage of others often don't give anything back
Working, ready-made fix-it-quick
People who always look for an easy, quick solution to problems
Years of little gain
Despite working hard for years, there is no significant reward or progress
Push me too far blind bats it will never end
When push comes to shove, they will not give in and will fight until the end
Multi-vitamins tea bags vitamin see in me
Using health supplements to try to fit in with health-conscious people
Anxious pee-ons rule-by-law
Being controlled and oppressed by those in power, leading to anxiety and stress
Laced with e, laze-ery
Being lazy and unmotivated due to drug use or addiction
Hold on my foot in your mouth
Feeling like someone is trying to silence or control you
Taste the asphalt
Being knocked down or defeated, quite literally hitting rock bottom
Slobbery wet smokers breathe for you
Being surrounded by people who are doing you more harm than good, like secondhand smoke
And now I'm breathing you
Being stuck in a harmful situation, unable to escape from the toxicity
I want to feel like the man who never lost his soul
Yearning for a sense of purpose and morality, despite difficult circumstances
Took advice because I thought I could've had it all
Following the advice of others, thinking that it would lead to success and happiness
Didn't know that a better life was possible
Feeling hopeless or resigned, unaware of the possibilities for a better future
I can feel like the kid who never lost his soul
Believing that it is possible to find happiness and fulfillment by staying true to oneself
Take advice and believe that it's attainable
Listening to guidance from others and feeling hopeful about achieving success
You could say that a better life is possible
Acknowledging that there is a chance for a happier and more fulfilling life
K(no)w money
Recognizing that money is not the only thing that matters
Life is plenty funny
Life is full of surprises and unexpected twists and turns
For all you hard working people I'll sing it again
Encouraging and recognizing people who put in a lot of effort and work hard every day
For all you hard working people the day never ends
Feeling like there is always more work to be done and not having much downtime
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDY KHACHATURIAN, ARTIN KARAMIAN, DAVID HAKOPYAN, SAMMY J. WATSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind