The Banner broke up for a brief period in 2006, before reuniting with founding member Garrett Defalco. The band released their third studio album, "Frailty" in 2008, which was recorded and produced at the Machine Shop studio in Hoboken, New Jersey and released on the Ferret Music label.
The band released their fourth album, "Greying", through Good Fight Music on December 9, 2014.
Joey - vocals
Garrett Defalco - guitar
Matt Rosenblum - guitar
Steve Tanis - bass
Jake Blochinger - drums
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On Hooks
The Banner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every face to cross my path is sickening
A pit devoid of soul, of heart or empathy
I try to find a point at all but I can't see.
On these fucking hooks I'll hang
To writhe and rot in iron chains
Spirit guides and pills for pain
They drag me to an early grave
It's far too late for epiphany
The cloaked ghost will strike the days
Until this world is through with me
I try but I cannot relate at all
There's no place for me in this fucking world
Every time I reach to try again
I'm knocked back down reminded who I am
With serpents eyes they smile up at me
They pull their hooks and suck dry what they need
They drop an empty corpse down at their feet
And with their cloven hooves step over me
Here I'll hang.
The lyrics to The Banner's song "On Hooks" paint a dark and despairing picture of the singer's life. The first verse describes how the singer feels like the world is drowning him and every person he meets makes him sick. He is stuck in a pit that is void of soul, heart, and empathy, and he cannot find a point to anything. The chorus talks about the singer being stuck on hooks, metaphorical instruments of torture, that are causing him to rot in chains, both physically and mentally. He tries spirit guides and pills for pain, but they only drag him closer to an early grave. The singer has faced the truth that he won't be saved, and it's far too late for an epiphany. The cloaked ghost will strike the days until this world is done with him.
The second verse shows the singer's inability to relate to the world around him, as there is no place for him. Every time he tries, he's reminded of who he is and is knocked back down. The people he encounters have serpents' eyes and extract what they need from him by pulling their hooks and sucking him dry. They leave an empty corpse behind and step over him with their cloven hooves. At the end of the song, the singer resigns himself to hanging on the hooks.
Line by Line Meaning
Everyday I feel this life is drowning me
I experience a constant feeling of helplessness and suffocation in my existence.
Every face to cross my path is sickening
Interacting with other people leads to disappointment and despair.
A pit devoid of soul, of heart or empathy
The world is an empty, desolate place lacking in compassion or any meaningful connection.
I try to find a point at all but I can't see.
I attempt to find purpose or meaning, but I am unable to discern any reason for my existence.
On these fucking hooks I'll hang
I feel trapped and helpless, caught up in negative patterns that are difficult to break free from.
To writhe and rot in iron chains
These negative patterns cause me to suffer and decay without the ability to escape them.
Spirit guides and pills for pain
I turn to external sources in an attempt to alleviate my suffering, seeking guidance or relief through spiritual practices and medication.
They drag me to an early grave
The weight of my suffering feels unbearable and may lead to my demise.
I've faced the truth I wont be saved
I have come to the realization that there is no redemption or salvation from my struggles.
It's far too late for epiphany
At this point, any sudden realization or revelation will not be enough to save me from my predicament.
The cloaked ghost will strike the days
Death, personified as a ghost, will eventually come for me and end my suffering.
Until this world is through with me
I will continue to suffer and endure the trials of existence until the world has taken all it can from me.
I try but I cannot relate at all
I make efforts to connect with others, but ultimately fall short due to an inability to find common ground.
There's no place for me in this fucking world
The world seems devoid of any space or belonging for me to occupy or contribute to.
Every time I reach to try again
Despite repeated attempts to reach out and connect, I continue to fall short in finding any meaningful interaction.
I'm knocked back down reminded who I am
Events or interactions in life serve as reminders of my perceived inadequacy and inability to fit in or succeed.
With serpents eyes they smile up at me
Others may smile or show kindness outwardly, but they are ultimately disingenuous or manipulative.
They pull their hooks and suck dry what they need
Others may use me for their own gain or benefit, draining me of anything of value I may possess.
They drop an empty corpse down at their feet
Once they have taken what they need, others discard me as hollow and worthless.
And with their cloven hooves step over me
Others continue on with their lives, leaving me dejected and alone in their wake.
Here I'll hang.
I am stuck in a state of despair and hopelessness, feeling as though there is no escape or way out.
Writer(s): will putney, paul klein
Contributed by Gianna S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.