Members of the Lawrence Arms have also played in The Broadways, Slapstick, Tricky Dick and Baxter.
The three musicians came together to form the Lawrence Arms in 1999. Although punk rock bands in their infancy generally start out by releasing EPs and 7" vinyl singles, the band members used their existing relationship with Asian Man Records to immediately begin recording a full-length album, a guided tour of chicago, which was released later that year. A second album, ghost stories, followed in 2000. Both albums focused heavily on the members' own stories of growing up and living in Chicago.
The band's next two releases were split EPs with other bands. The first, a split with Shady View Terrace, was released in 2000 and was their first release to be recorded by Matt Allison, who would continue to record and produce all of their subsequent releases. A second EP, Present Day Memories, was released in 2001 and was a split with The Chinkees.
The band's records and touring schedule had brought them to the attention of Fat Mike of NOFX, who signed them to his label Fat Wreck Chords in late 2001. Their first release on the label was a 7" vinyl single, part of the label's "Fat Club" series of 7" records. This was followed by the full-length album apathy and exhaustion, released in 2002. The album spawned the band's first music video, for the song porno and snuff films and they toured extensively with NOFX and other bands from the label.
Their next album was 2003's the greatest story ever told. Arguably their most ambitious album to date, it demonstrated the band members' continued growth as musicians and songwriters and included extensive footnotes to the lyrics detailing their many references to history, literature and pop culture. It also showed an evolution in the band's vocal style. Kelly had sung most of the vocals on their first album, while on subsequent releases he and McCaughan had split vocal duties almost equally from one song to the next, with Kelly's voice tending to sound more harsh and urgent while McCaughan's sounds more relaxed and melodic. With this release, however, the two began to move towards more of a duet style of singing which would feature prominently on their next album. Extensive touring following the album's release saw the band on the road for much of 2003 and 2004. They also contributed a song to the Fat Wreck Chords Rock Against Bush, Volume 2 compilation, leading up to the 2004 presidential election and became involved with the Punk Voter campaign.
In December of 2004 Kelly and Hennessy joined with fellow Chicago natives Dan Andriano of Alkaline Trio (who had played with Kelly in Slapstick) and Todd Mohney, formerly of Rise Against, to form The Falcon, and released an EP on Red Scare. Meanwhile, with interest in the Lawrence Arms increasing and their EPs out of print, Asian Man Records planned a CD release of the band's EP tracks. The resulting compilation album, Cocktails & Dreams, was released on Asian Man in June of 2005 and included their songs from both EPs along with nearly all of their compilation tracks, rare songs and b-sides.
The Lawrence Arms re-entered the studio in October and November of 2005 and recorded the album oh! calcutta!, which was released on Fat Wreck Chords in March of 2006. It had an overall faster and more urgent feel to it than their previous album, and demonstrated another step in the development of their singing as Kelly and McCaughan shared vocals in a duet style on nearly every song. They filmed a music video for the song the devil's takin' names.
The Lawrence Arms spent most of 2006 touring extensively alongside bands such as NOFX, Alkaline Trio, The Draft, Lagwagon, and A Wilhelm Scream. The full-length debut by the Falcon was released that fall on Red Scare. In December, the Lawrence Arms embarked on their first headlining tour of Australia, also playing supporting shows with Frenzal Rhomb.
In March of 2007, guitarist Chris McCaughan released the debut album from his acoustic side project Sundowner, entitled four one five two.
The band toured again in 2007, with their side projects The Falcon and Sundowner as openers along with the recently reunited American Steel.
The 2010s saw minimal studio activity by the band, but for one album. 2014's Metropole was received well, and marked the band's first full-length in eight years. The band took another extended break in between albums again, taking six years before releasing their seventh album Skeleton Coast in 2020.
Never Fade Away
The Lawrence Arms Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
‘till I lodge you deep inside of my bones
Drift out of summer haze
With you I'm never wasting my days
With your eyes, one day at a time
One day at a time
I'll never fade away
There's one million ways
They don't trust them and the ash is behind me
With your eyes, one day at a time
One day at a time
I'm fire, I'm fire again
Don't know where I'm heading
But I know where I've been
The new ways to see, new ways to believe
When the darkness descends
We'll be together
I'll never fade, I'll never fade, I'll never fade away
I'll never fade, I'll never fade, I'll never fade
I'll never fade away
I'll never fade away
The Lawrence Arms's song Never Fade Away is a love song that speaks to the power and importance of a deep, lasting connection between two people. The lyrics express the desire to hold onto someone forever, to keep them so close that they become a part of the self. The image of lodging someone deep inside of one's bones suggests that this connection is not just emotional, but physical and spiritual as well. The desire to never fade away emphasizes the importance of this connection, as though to suggest that nothing else in life truly matters as long as it remains.
Throughout the song, the singer reflects on the power of this connection, how it helps them move forward in life, even when things are difficult. The sense of new possibilities and new ways of seeing and believing that comes with this kind of love is emphasized in the lines "The new ways to see, new ways to believe / When the darkness descends / We'll be together." This suggests that in the face of adversity, the love shared between these two people will provide a source of strength and hope.
Overall, Never Fade Away is a powerful ode to true connection and the transformative power of love. It celebrates the kind of love that allows people to truly become a part of one another, to find new ways of seeing and believing, and to face whatever challenges come their way with strength and courage.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll never fade away
The singer pledges to never forget or lose the memories and feelings associated with their love.
‘till I lodge you deep inside of my bones
The feelings of love and passion are so intense, they are ingrained into the singer's very being.
Drift out of summer haze
The singer's mind wanders aimlessly, lost in thoughts of their love.
With you I'm never wasting my days
Being with their loved one gives the singer a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
With your eyes, one day at a time
By focusing on their love and taking things one day at a time, the singer can overcome any challenge.
Found the lead and the ground of my feet
The singer has found a sense of direction and stability in their love.
There's one million ways
Despite the many challenges and obstacles that may arise, there are endless possibilities for the future.
They don't trust them and the ash is behind me
The singer has left behind those who don't believe in their love, and is moving forward towards a better future.
I'm fire, I'm fire again
The passion and intensity of the singer's love has been reignited.
Don't know where I'm heading
Despite uncertainty about the future, the singer knows that their love will guide them.
But I know where I've been
The singer is grateful for all the experiences that have led them to this point in their life.
The new ways to see, new ways to believe
The singer is open to new perspectives and ideas that their love can bring.
When the darkness descends
During times of hardship, the singer's love will provide comfort and support.
We'll be together
The singer is committed to their love and confident in their ability to overcome anything together.
I'll never fade, I'll never fade, I'll never fade away
The singer reiterates their dedication to never forgetting or losing the love they have shared.
I'll never fade, I'll never fade, I'll never fade
The singer repeats their vow to remain devoted to their love.
I'll never fade away
The song concludes with the singer reaffirming their promise to cherish their love forever.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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