Little is known about the Protomen, other than the band is based in Nashville, Tennessee. Because the band often responds to interviews and questions in-character, their own descriptions of their history are delivered with the dramatic flair of their storyline concept and their comments can not always be taken at face value. Their code-names are largely references to pop culture films, song titles, and fictional characters.
The band is composed mostly of MTSU recording program graduates, and first came to be so they could meet class deadlines and the need to record for [their] grades. They produced their first album over two years in various Murfreesboro studios, using analog rather than digital production. Most of the band had graduated and moved to Nashville by 2005.
Group member Commander has stated that their first album was deliberately designed to sound like "distorted pencil sharpeners about 90% of the time" and "was made specifically to go against everything our recording teachers and fellow students were trying to feed us about making everything sound pristine and 'perfect.'. The tracks were mixed on analog tape.
In a 2009 interview, lead vocalist Panther stated, "We basically gathered up all of our good friends from the local rock bands of Murfreesboro, tied ourselves together, and tried to walk. And somehow it worked. At the time, we noticed a void in rock and roll. A hole that could only really be filled with grown men and women painting up like robots and playing some fierce and furious rock music based on a 1980's video game. We were fairly certain no one else was going to fill that hole. But, by god, it's filled now. You can thank us later."
The band has strong ties to the Murfreesboro and Nashville independent music scene, and some members are integrated into several bands simultaneously.
Intermission
The Protomen Lyrics
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Instrumental "My dearest Emily,
Tonight will mark the end of a life long dream of mine. The completion of a labor I began as a child, even before I knew the words for it... before I knew the ways to accomplish such a task. And even now my heart is heavy with dread. I fear I've built a great and powerful evil. Or rather, together, Albert and I have built it. I know that I am to blame. I allowed Albert to persuade me to change the designs. I allowed this perversion of my course. This new machine that we've built is unlike any I ever imagined. It looks... like a man. A lifeless steel man. Albert convinced me that even with the new Geological Unmanned Terraforming System we designed, the task of extracting the ore is still too dangerous for a human. He plans to completely replace human workers in the mining sector. The idea of displacing so many men... the annihilation of countless jobs in the name of safety seems an unbalanced trade off. What is worse, the latest prototypes have been revised to carry small firearms. Emily, I fear that I have put you and this entire city in danger. I will speak to him tonight on the matter. Perhaps I can persuade him to scrap the whole project. In the meantime, please be careful. This world is getting darker all the time. I weep at the thought of something terrible happening to you. I could not bear it.
All my love,
Tom"
In a workshop in a building overlooking the city
Two great men argued over whether or not to turn the wheels...
The Protomen's Intermission contains a letter that details a story about a man named Tom who has been working on a project with Albert. The letter is addressed to Emily, presumably Tom's lover, and serves as a form of confession for the singer. It explains how Tom and Albert built a man-like machine with the intention of using it to extract ore in mining areas, believing it is too dangerous for human workers. However, Tom is filled with dread and guilt as the latest prototypes carry firearms, putting himself and his city in grave danger. Tom is conflicted over the ethical implications of this project, as countless jobs would be lost in the name of safety. He writes the letter to Emily as he plans to confront Albert regarding the revised prototypes and hopes to convince him to abandon the project entirely. The letter highlights the dangers of creating technology that replaces human labor, and the moral consequences of actions taken for supposed "safety."
The second part of the song shifts to a scene set in a workshop, where two people are arguing over whether to turn the wheels. It is unclear whether this is a continuation of Tom's letter or a separate scene happening parallel to the letter. It is ambiguous who these two people are and what the context of their argument is, leaving listeners to imagine and interpret the scene on their own. This addition of an instrumental track with no lyrics serves as a gateway to the next part of the album, adding tension and intrigue to the story.
Overall, Intermission is a powerful track that raises important ethical questions about technological advancements and their impacts on the workforce. The lyrics convey a sense of dread and uncertainty, highlighting the responsibility that comes with creating new technologies and the consequences that can result from unchecked progress.
Line by Line Meaning
My dearest Emily,
The author is speaking directly to someone named Emily and is about to address their worries and fears.
Tonight will mark the end of a life long dream of mine. The completion of a labor I began as a child, even before I knew the words for it... before I knew the ways to accomplish such a task.
After years of hard work, the author is about to finish a lifelong project that they started as a child, before even knowing how they were going to do it.
And even now my heart is heavy with dread. I fear I've built a great and powerful evil. Or rather, together, Albert and I have built it. I know that I am to blame.
Despite nearing the end of the project, the author is filled with worry and guilt for what they have created with their colleague Albert. They feel responsible for any negative consequences that may result from it.
I allowed Albert to persuade me to change the designs. I allowed this perversion of my course.
The author admits to being influenced by Albert to modify their original plans. They regret their decision to deviate from their original intentions.
This new machine that we've built is unlike any I ever imagined. It looks... like a man. A lifeless steel man.
The new machine that the author and Albert created is beyond their expectations, appearing to be a man made entirely of metal or steel.
Albert convinced me that even with the new Geological Unmanned Terraforming System we designed, the task of extracting the ore is still too dangerous for a human. He plans to completely replace human workers in the mining sector.
Albert believes that mining is too dangerous for humans, even with their new technology, which is why he wants to replace them entirely with machines.
The idea of displacing so many men... the annihilation of countless jobs in the name of safety seems an unbalanced trade off.
The author is concerned that replacing humans with machines could result in loss of jobs and subsequent harm to many individuals and families.
What is worse, the latest prototypes have been revised to carry small firearms. Emily, I fear that I have put you and this entire city in danger.
The author has even more significant concerns about the project as Albert's new prototypes have the ability to carry guns, causing a potential danger to Emily and everyone living in the city.
I will speak to him tonight on the matter. Perhaps I can persuade him to scrap the whole project.
The author intends to discuss their concerns with Albert that very night and hopes to convince him to abandon the project altogether.
In the meantime, please be careful. This world is getting darker all the time. I weep at the thought of something terrible happening to you. I could not bear it.
The author is worried about the safety of Emily and encourages her to be careful due to the increasing darkness in the world. The idea of something bad happening to Emily fills them with sadness and despair.
In a workshop in a building overlooking the city
Two great men argued over whether or not to turn the wheels...
This line is an introductory phrase that alludes to the larger story behind the song. It sets the scene and introduces the two main characters, Tom and Albert, who have just finished building a new machine.
Contributed by Lauren V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.