Formed in 1994 in Montreal, Quebec, the Planet Smashers’ infectious pop inf… Read Full Bio ↴Formed in 1994 in Montreal, Quebec, the Planet Smashers’ infectious pop infused melodies, rippin’ horn licks and killer live shows, quickly established them as the city’s “Kings of Ska”. They released their first album (“Self-Titled”) on Planet Smasher’s founder Matt Collyer’s own label STOMP Records and hit the road. By 1997 they were no longer a local band, but a national phenomenon, headlining shows across Canada and pushing their second record, “Atttack of The Planet Smashers” which reached 2 on the national college radio charts for 2 months straight. Their third album “Life of The Party” took the continent by storm, “Life of the Party”, The Planet Smashers won the Montreal Independent Music Award for best ska band and drew attention from major labels, bands, publishers and booking agents all over the world.

Although the band received much commercial attention during the ska wave, they decided to continue down the independent road with STOMP Records, which had become and remains a major player in the international independent music scene. Their fourth release, “No Self Control” (2001) was produced by Steven Drake (Tragically Hip, Barenaked Ladies, The Odds etc.) and was also well received by national college radio and spawned hit videos such as the animated “Blind” and the tongue in cheek “Wish I Were American”.

“Mighty”, the Planet Smashers’ fifth full length, was produced/engineered by Rod Shearer (Bran Van 3000, Bionic, Corey Hart) and co-produced by The Planet Smashers (not to mention mixed on the same board as Madonna’s “Like a Virgin”!). Having moved past the dark and critical themes of “No Self Control”, “Mighty” became the band’s most success record internationally after being licensed by labels in Japan, Europe, Russia, Brazil and Australia.
The Planet Smashers released their first and only DVD “10” in 2004, commemorating the last 10 years of the band. Countless tours all over the world, 12 videos, 5 full length releases and a ton of good times. The Planet Smashers celebrated their 10th by joining the Vans Warped 2004 which also entered it’s 10th year. In 2005, the Smashers released “Unstoppable” their sixth and most recent commercial offering. The album was licensed in Japan by Sky/Sony, in the UK by Household Name Records/Plastic Head, in Europe by Leechredda/Cargo and in Russia by AudioFind. In 2006 the band played over 60 shows in Europe including Moscow, London, Vienna, Berlin, Zurich, Amsterdam, Dublin and many more.

In terms of touring, not many indie Canadian bands come close. They have headlined countless tours in North America, 8 European tours, been included on 5 Vans Warped Tour as well as a Japanese tour in 2002. They have toured with such acts as AFI, the Toasters, Sick of it All, Billy Talent, Rancid, Mustard Plug, Simple Plan, Samiam, The Aquabats, Mighty Mighty Bosstones and countless others.

Bullets To The Ground
The Planet Smashers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Doors opened wide, there's no place to hide
"Come take my ride" the vacuum beckons me outside
And in my mind all circuits switch to overdrive
Is this the time one single second to decide?

We're going down
Bullets to the ground
We're going down

Bullets to the ground

And now I'm Flying
I cut through the atmosphere
"And now you're mind"
The wind is howling in my ears
My mind screams
"Get me out of here"
This is the time to feel
The freedom and the fear

We're going down
Bullets to the ground
We're going down
Panic all around
We're going down
At near the speed of sound
We're going down
Bullets to the ground

We're going down
Bullets to the ground
We're going down
Panic all around
We're going down
Near the speed of sound
We're going down
Bullets to the ground

Down, down, down

Overall Meaning

The song Bullets to the Ground by The Planet Smashers is about taking risks in life and experiencing the thrill of adventure. The opening lines describe the feeling of being offered an opportunity that is too enticing to resist, with the metaphorical "vacuum" representing the adventure, excitement, and unknown that lies beyond. The reference to circuits switching to overdrive suggests a sense of urgency and heightened awareness, as if the decision to take that opportunity will have a significant impact on one's life.

As the song progresses, the lyrics shift to a euphoric description of flight, with the wind howling and the singer experiencing both freedom and fear. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for taking a risk and experiencing an adrenaline rush, with the fear representing the potential consequences and the freedom representing the exhilaration of pushing boundaries.

The repeated refrain of "we're going down, bullets to the ground" adds a note of danger and uncertainty to the song, suggesting that the risks being taken may not always pay off, and that there are consequences to living life on the edge. However, the overall tone of the song is one of excitement and a celebration of living life to the fullest.

Line by Line Meaning

Doors opened wide, there's no place to hide
No escape, the situation is dire

"Come take my ride" the vacuum beckons me outside
A tempting offer to leave it all behind

And in my mind all circuits switch to overdrive
Prepared for anything, nerves electrified

Is this the time one single second to decide?
A crucial moment to act, no room to divide

We're going down
Failure is imminent

Bullets to the ground
No control over the outcome

And now I'm Flying
A sense of freedom, danger defying

I cut through the atmosphere
Breaking free from the earthly sphere

"And now you're mind"
A mind-altering experience, one of a kind

The wind is howling in my ears
The rush of adrenaline, no time for tears

My mind screams
The mind races with thoughts and dreams