Shortly thereafter they were signed by Go-Kart Records and re-recorded the songs from "A Lesson" and re-released their album with the addition of some new tracks.
At the Fest VII in Gainesville, FL they were approached by Brendan Kelly of The Lawrence Arms and subsequently signed to Red Scare Industries.
They released their Red Scare debut EP "Hold On, Dodge" in 2009.
In April 2010, Chamberlain Waits was released, through Red Scare Records. In March and April they also toured in support of Against Me!.
On May 17, 2011 they announced that they had signed to Epitaph Records. Brett Gurewitz, founder of Epitaph Records and guitarist of Bad Religion said this about the signing of the band:
"These guys play the kind of pure punk rock that I grew up with. They are seriously talented songwriters and I'm happy to welcome them to the Epitaph family. I think the band is a great fit here."
They released their third full length album, On The Impossible Past, on February 21, 2012 via Epitaph Records.
The band currently lives in South Philadelphia, PA.
Band Members:
Tom May
Joe Godino
Greg Barnett
Eric Keen
On the Impossible Past
The Menzingers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I felt American
We shared our smokes
I held the wheel while you drank and drove
Our plans were miserable
And then we crashed your car
Your American muscle car
Into a ditch on Sawmill Road
We always dreamt of having nice things
Having nice things
The lyrics to The Menzingers's song On the Impossible Past talk about reckless youth, the invincibility that is often felt during that time, and the desire to have nice things. The first verse describes a scene where the characters are riding in an American muscle car, and the singer feels American - a sentiment that is likely plucked from the delusion of youth. Despite sharing smokes and enjoying the thrill of the ride, the pair's plans are described as miserable, which further drives home the sentiment of youth feeling bored and restless amidst their freedom.
The song takes a dark turn when the two crash into a ditch on Sawmill Road, after the singer takes the wheel while his companion drank and drove. The crash serves as a metaphor for the recklessness and carelessness that often accompany youth, and how it can lead to disaster. However, there is an underlying appreciation for the idea of having nice things that permeates the narrative, showing how even though youth can be reckless, it is also full of dreams and aspirations.
Line by Line Meaning
We took rides in your American muscle car
We had drives in your standard American vehicle
I felt American
I felt like an American person
We shared our smokes
We split our cigarettes
I held the wheel while you drank and drove
I took control of the car while you were drinking and driving
Our plans were miserable
Our arrangements weren't going well
And then we crashed your car
Then we had a car accident
Your American muscle car
Your standrad American vehicle
Into a ditch on Sawmill Road
We went off the road into a ditch on Sawmill Road
There was ice on all the roads
The roads were covered in ice
We always dreamt of having nice things
We always had aspirations of owning good things
Having nice things
Owning good things
Contributed by Olivia G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
C7 PO
Just started listening to The Menzingers when "After the Party" came out. This week I've listened to all their stuff and friggin love them even more. I'm late to the party, so is this the after party?
h2o2k8
The most amazing genre of music my friend.
lopside0
YOU WIN THIS ROUND.
Ryan Terry
This hurts
Bryan Frankovich
Baby don't hurt me.
lopside0
What is punk?
Black Maria
What the fuck is this? Sounds like an Okkervil River ripoff