Formation and Debut
The band formed in 1997 in Southern California with Crisci and Pillar joining bassist Jason Wickersheim and drummer Louie Ruiz under the name December's Tragic Drive (derived from lyrics of the song, "Seven" by Sunny Day Real Estate). The following year, the band - now billed as The Appleseed Cast - signed to Deep Elm Records out of North Carolina and released their debut album, The End Of The Ring Wars, an album which met with considerable approval from the emo and underground scenes, as incendiary tracks like "Marigold & Patchwork" were essentially blueprints for the emo style. However, the album was also criticized in some quarters (most notably by Pitchforkmedia) for sticking too closely to a style already well explored by previous acts such as Braid and Sunny Day Real Estate.
Mare Vitalis
In 1999, the band relocated to Lawrence, Kansas without Ruiz, recruiting new drummer Josh "Cobra" Baruth. Later that same year they entered the Red House studio in Eudora, Kansas with Producer Ed Rose who would go on to produce their next four records. The end result was Mare Vitalis, the band's second full-length album. The album showed progression from the dynamics-heavy rock of The End of The Ring Wars. Essentially a concept album on the movements of the sea (encapsulated in such song titles as "Mare Mortis," and "Poseidon" ), the album is a fan favourite, heavy on atmosphere, crescendo, subtly undulating guitar arpeggios and the percussive, intricate drumming of Baruth, who clearly brought a new dimension to the band's sonic palette.
The band completed Mare Vitalis in late 1999, but tensions were developing between the band and Wickersheim. In January of 2000, Pillar asked his roommate, St. Joseph, Missouri-native Marc Young, if he would be interested in playing bass for them, for one show. Young agreed, however the show they spoke of and agreed upon, never materialized. Regardless, Wickersheim officially departed the group that same month with Young replacing him on bass.
Low Level Owl & Lost Songs
After touring Mare Vitalis, the Appleseed Cast once again entered the studio in late 2000 to begin work on what would be their most ambitious project to date. Eager to fulfill their five record deal with Deep Elm, the band embarked on a double LP, with Ed Rose once again at the helm. Low Level Owl Volume One was released on August 21, 2001 with Volume Two following on October 23.
The tracks were woven seamlessly together into album-length soundscapes, revealing a hitherto unnoticed post-rock influence. The complex vocal arrangements and enigmatic lyrics were buried in the mix underneath simple, repeated guitar riffs, swathes of keyboards and found sounds, and Baruth's inventive, intricate drum patterns. The pieces containing vocals and lyrics were connected by ambient-influenced instrumentals. The Low Level Owl albums seemed both to be a natural progression from the more song-oriented Mare Vitalis and a complete shock, the previously disparaging Pitchforkmedia website giving the project a glowing review. However, some critics were put off by the intentionally repetitive nature, not only of much of the guitar playing but also the ambient instrumental interludes.
The band followed their Low Level Owl project with the release of Lost Songs the following year. The album was a collection of songs recorded shortly after the release of The End of The Ring Wars, songs which were considered unfinished. In 2002 vocals and overdubs were added to the "lost songs" and issued as the Appleseed Cast's final release on the Deep Elm label.
Two Conversations
The Appleseed Cast signed with the New York based indie label Tiger Style Records in 2003 and released Two Conversations shortly afterward. Touring keyboardist Jordan Geiger was officially credited as a band member on the album. Two Conversations was met with mixed reviews.
Some viewed the album with dismay, regarding the more conventional song structures, the less diverse sonic palette and the personal, relationship-driven lyrics as a blatant retreat after the no-holds-barred experimentation, depth and complexity of the Low Level Owl project. However, others saw the album as an assured combination of the driving emo-rock of their early work subtly embellished with elements of the Low Level Owl sound.
During the recording of the album and the subsequent tour, tensions mounted once again, this time with drummer Josh "Cobra" Baruth. Rumors began to surface in the spring and summer of 2004 that Baruth was no longer a part of the group, and were confirmed on the band's website later that year.
Following the confirmation the band went on hiatus. Crisci began working with his side-project Old Canes and Geiger returned to his band, Minus Story. In the meantime Tiger Style, in financial difficulties, was forced to drop the band from their label after just one album.
Rebirth & Peregrine
Throughout late 2004 and much of 2005 little to no word travelled on the band's current situation. This began to change later in the year as news of drummer auditions began to spread. The band auditioned with many drummers including part-time Old Canes drummer Aaron Coker who later went on to tour with Reggie & The Full Effect. The position eventually went to the Casket Lottery drummer, Nathan Richardson (affectionately known in the KC-area as "Nate Jr.")
With a new drummer in place, the band was signed by the Militia Group in 2005 and announced they were returning to the studio in October.
The recording sessions for Peregrine, the Appleseed Cast's sixth full-length album, were held in Cannon Falls, Minnesota at Pachyderm Recording Studios. The sessions were produced by John Congleton, as opposed to their regular producer Ed Rose. The band returned from the studio later that year and began mixing and mastering the 13 new songs recorded for the album.
Lead singer and guitarist Chris Crisci stated on the band's website "...I don't know if I've felt better about a record this early since Mare Vitalis." The album is arguably more eclectic than any previous release in their catalogue, the Low Level Owl indebted piece "Here We Are (Family In The Hallways)" sitting alongside the more conventional, guitar-driven "February" and the stark, electronica of "Mountain Halo."
Peregrine was released on March 21, 2006.
Nathan Richardson left the band in the summer of 2006. Old Canes drummer Aaron Coker will play with the band during their Autumn tour.
Sagarmatha
Sagarmatha was released on February 17, 2009. When asked about the next album (previously discussed as an entirely instrumental EP) in an interview, Chris Crisci had this to say; "Well, the idea is still there, although it has morphed into a mostly instrumental full length. There's songs that have 45 seconds of vocals and 6 minutes of instrumental. There's songs that are entirely instrumental, and there's one song with complete vocals that clocks in at about 2:30." This was announced on the band's Myspace, where they also uploaded a demo of "Road West", a new instrumental song that will be featured on Sagarmatha.
Recording sessions were held at Black Lodge Recording in Eudora, KS with Ed Rose after unsuccessful attempts to arrange John Congleton to helm the recording. The album contains 9 songs in total with a good mix of instrumental and some new things vocally. The song "The New Stage (For So Long)" is supposed to be included in the LP version of the album. Three demos were released on their MySpace; the fore-mentioned "Road West" and more recently "A Bright Light" and "Summer Before."
Bassist Marc Young and drummer Aaron Coker have apparently left the band, according to the band's MySpace. They have been replaced with Nate Whitman of Black Christmas and John Momberg of The Dactyls, on bass and drums respectively.
Hello Dearest Love
The Appleseed Cast Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
her eyes know
mistakes you've made
the plans you laid
your love, it means so much
a simple ring, your fingers touch
break away, break away
burning truth, it is too soon to ignore
but she's not here
standing clear
in front of you
it's just a dream
times up, she's gone away
you had your time, but it won't stay
not this time, not this time
soon enough, you'll kill them all
every chance to break your fall
you're giving in
but she's the one
bright as the sun
stops you there
right on the stairs
and falling back
when stars are black
and stripes on fire
The Appleseed Cast’s song, “Hello Dearest Love” is a soulful reflection on past mistakes and lost love. The opening line, “welcome home, her eyes know,” immediately sets a contemplative tone. The singer of the song is returning home, and it is clear that he wishes to reconnect with his former love. However, in her eyes, he sees his past mistakes and the plans he made that did not come to fruition. He acknowledges the importance of her love, which is represented by a simple ring on their fingers.
The chorus, “break away, break away,” emphasizes the struggle of the singer to move on from the past, but he is unable to do so. His love for his ex-girlfriend is still evident in the way he describes her, “your smile, your face, light shines through, burning truth, it is too soon to ignore.” Despite his attempts to move on, she still dominates his thoughts. The lyrics “but she’s not here, standing clear in front of you, it’s just a dream” further highlight his inability to let go of her.
In the second verse, the singer realizes that his time is up, and she has already moved on. He offers a glimpse into his fragile state of mind, “not this time, not this time, soon enough, you’ll kill them all, every chance to break your fall, you’re giving in.” The song builds up to an emotional climax where the singer describes the vivid image of his ex-girlfriend, “but she’s the one, bright as the sun, stops you there, right on the stairs, and falling back, when stars are black and stripes on fire.”
Line by Line Meaning
welcome home
You've returned after a period of absence
her eyes know
She understands more than you think just by looking at you
mistakes you've made
Acknowledging the errors you've committed in the past
the plans you laid
The blueprint for your future that you meticulously crafted
your love, it means so much
The depth of your feelings for her is immeasurable
a simple ring, your fingers touch
The symbol of your commitment and affection that you wear on your hand
break away, break away
Dissociating yourself from the constraints of your current situation
your smile , your face, light shines through
Her presence in your life brings joy and radiance
burning truth, it is too soon to ignore
An inevitable reality that cannot be overlooked for much longer
but she's not here
The person you long for is absent
standing clear
Presenting herself in a visible and apparent manner
in front of you
Directly within your sight and reach
it's just a dream
Your desires and wishes are only present in your unconscious mind
times up, she's gone away
The period of opportunity has come to an end, and she has departed
you had your time, but it won't stay
Your time together was brief and fleeting
not this time, not this time
This is not a repeat occurrence, and things won't be the same as before
soon enough, you'll kill them all
You will overcome any obstacles that stand in the way of your objectives
every chance to break your fall
Any possible lifelines have faded away
you're giving in
You're slowly losing the will to fight, and your resolve is weakening
but she's the one
She's the individual who means the most to you
bright as the sun
Radiant and effervescent, her presence illuminates your life
stops you there
Inhibiting your actions or movements, often through verbal or nonverbal communication
right on the stairs
A physical location where she halted or paused your progress
and falling back
Your failing efforts to advance or escape from your predicament
when stars are black
When the world appears dark and unrelenting
and stripes on fire
A time of conflict and inner turmoil that threatens to destroy you
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind