James Kaspar (Tim McIlrath) - Vocals, guitar (Rise Against, ex-.baxter.)
Todd P. Rundgren (Tod Mohney) - Guitar (ex-Rise Against, ex-The Falcon)
Jean Luc Rue (Geoff Reu) - Bass, vocals (Holy Roman Empire, ex-.baxter.)
Botchy Vasquez (Timothy Remis) - Drums (ex-.baxter.)
The Killing Tree served as Tim McIlrath's side project during the early years of Rise Against. McIlrath was concerned that Rise Against's record label, Fat Wreck Chords would not want him recording with a different band, so all members of The Killing Tree used false identities when performing and recording. The Killing Tree has not had any album or EP releases since 2003.
The Killing Tree's musical style differs from Rise Against. The songs are generally heavier, longer and more intense. The vocals are primarily screamed, although many tracks alternate between screaming and singing vocals. The lyrics are much more aggressive and tend to have violent themes. For example, "I never noticed the color of your eyes until I saw them in the reflection of this knife," is the first line of "The Perfect," a track on the band's full length album, The Romance of Helen Trent. These qualities make the band less appealing to mainstream audiences than Rise Against in some people's opinion.
Look Alive
The Killing Tree Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I touch you and I'm not afraid
I see you and I'm overcome
With feeling I cant explain
Come say that to my face
And I'll rip out your fucking tongue
I reckon you you don't know my name
still dream in colors they've not yet seen
You are a deadline I can't make
Better late then never I always say
The last of the romantic
Take this for granted while the blind
Still dream in colors they've not yet seen
And scrawl their thoughts
On pens that ran out of ink
no one to blame but myself
I see your face in the sky
Someday I'll put this behind
I'm getting on with my life
I tried to tell you everything
But my voice is too loud
I tried to hold you close to me
But my claws are too sharp
I've seen that dead look before
Too paralyzed to move
Don't try to hold me back
'Cuz you're so afraid to lose
The same thing that keeps me alive
is the same one I'll gladly bite
(tell me) That your sorry
(tell me) That you love me
(tell me) That you'll be here now
While I go blind
Still dream in colors they've not yet seen
And scrawl their thoughts
on pens that ran out of ink
I see your face in the sky
Someday I'll put this behind
I'm getting on with my life
I tried to tell you everything
But my voice is too loud
I tried to hold you close to me
But my claws are too sharp
But I tried
I see your face in the sky
Someday I'll put this behind
(I tried to tell you everything but my voice is too loud)
I'm getting on with my life
And they tell me to look alive
The Killing Tree's Look Alive is a powerful and intense song about the struggle of relationships that have turned sour. The opening lines "I hold you and I am fearless, I touch you and I'm not afraid, I see you and I'm overcome, With feeling I can't explain" depict the deep emotions and love that the singer feels towards his partner. He feels invincible when he is holding and touching his partner, and he is consumed by his feelings. However, this love quickly turns to anger and betrayal as he sings "Come say that to my face, And I'll rip out your fucking tongue, I reckon you don't know my name, Take it for granted while the blind still dream in colors they've not yet seen." The singer feels betrayed by his lover, who takes their love and relationship for granted. He is filled with anger and would not hesitate to fight back.
The chorus of the song "I see your face in the sky, Someday I'll put this behind, I'm getting on with my life" is a strong and positive message about moving on from a toxic relationship. Despite the deep love that he had for his partner, the singer has decided that it is time for him to move on and get on with his life. He accepts that the relationship is over and that he needs to let go.
Overall, Look Alive is a raw and emotional song about the pain of a broken relationship. It touches upon themes of love, betrayal, anger, and acceptance. The song is a powerful reminder to those going through a similar situation that it is okay to move on and start a new chapter in life.
Line by Line Meaning
I hold you and I am fearless
I am unafraid when holding you.
I touch you and I'm not afraid
I am unafraid when touching you.
I see you and I'm overcome
With feeling I cant explain
I feel intense emotions I cannot describe when I see you.
Come say that to my face
And I'll rip out your fucking tongue
I reckon you don't know my name
Take it for granted while the blind still dream in colors they've not yet seen
If you disrespect me in person, I will violently retaliate. You underestimate me while others have the privilege of hope and imagination.
You are a deadline I can't make
Better late then never I always say
The last of the romantic
Take this for granted while the blind still dream in colors they've not yet seen
And scrawl their thoughts
On pens that ran out of ink
I cannot meet your expectations of me, but I hold onto the romantic notion that late effort is better than none. You take your abilities for granted while others create something out of nothing.
no one to blame but myself
I am solely responsible for my actions and their consequences.
I see your face in the sky
Someday I'll put this behind
I'm getting on with my life
I envision you in my future, but I must move on and live my own life.
I tried to tell you everything
But my voice is too loud
I tried to hold you close to me
But my claws are too sharp
But I tried
I attempted to express my feelings and engage with you, but my intensity caused problems. Despite these issues, I tried.
I've seen that dead look before
Too paralyzed to move
Don't try to hold me back
'Cuz you're so afraid to lose
I recognize the numbness and inability to act in your eyes. Do not attempt to restrict me out of fear.
The same thing that keeps me alive
is the same one I'll gladly bite
(tell me) That your sorry
(tell me) That you love me
(tell me) That you'll be here now
While I go blind
Still dream in colors they've not yet seen
And scrawl their thoughts
on pens that ran out of ink
My drive and passion sustain me but also cause me to act aggressively. If you apologize, express your love, and stay with me through difficult times, we can experience life's vibrancy and express creativity even in scarcity.
I'm getting on with my life
And they tell me to look alive
I am moving forward, but others remind me to stay alert and active.
Contributed by Micah R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.