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.
The Stand
The Protomen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dr Light: You're trying to understand. I told you your brother had been killed.
Yet, here he stands in the very shadow of the man you came here to destroy.
You came here to avenge his death. You came here to save mankind. You see now, you cannot do both.
Megaman's eyes raised to meet his brother's. Protoman met his stare, held it for only a second and turned his attention to the bloodthirsty crowd.
Is there no one who will stand up and try to fight?
Tell me Man, is there not one in all your ranks? Is there not one who values courage over life?
Protoman turns his attention back to his brother.
They looked to me once. Now they turn to you. Do you understand now?
Do you see that the truth is they don't want to change this?
They don't want a hero. They just want a martyr, a statue to raise.
I've given every thing I can. There are no heroes left in man.
So it begins!
No matter which one of us lives, the ground we're standing on will crack and blow away.
You will fight. And when you fight, you'll fight alone. And in the end you'll see there was no other way.
I've been here before. I've stood where you stand.
They called me their hero, The Hero of Man. But why should we save them
When they stand for nothing? If they deserve life, LET THEM STAND FOR THEMSELVES.
We've given everything we can. There are no heroes left in man.
They'll watch you die to save their lives. They will not stand here by your side.
Suddenly Protoman stops. His eyes fall on his father. His face changes almost imperceptibly. Nothing changes but his eyes. Then, as quickly as he'd stopped, Protoman leaps off of the shattered robots and lands in the midst of the remaining army. Throwing his bare hand into the side of one robot, Protoman sends him flying into the ranks. Three, four robots fall under Protoman's powerful blow. He destroys his own legions as he makes his way to the front of the line. He stands alone in front of Megaman.
Protoman: We've given everything we can. There are no heroes left in man. So let them watch as we decide the very fate of all mankind!
The air is thick with smoke. Protoman makes no move, but stands, still at some distance, at the ready. Megaman, still fighting to fully grasp the truth of the situation, raises from his knees. His weapon raised hesitantly, Megaman locks eyes with his brother but breaks free seconds later. His eyes dart over the crowd searching for Light. His father's eyes are on the ground.
Dr. Light can watch no more. The crowd watches with fiery intensity.
Megaman's eyes fix once again on Protoman. His weapon drops to his side.
The Stand by The Protomen is a powerful song that tells a story of two robotic brothers, Protoman and Megaman, and their confrontation with the harsh reality of mankind's lack of courage and willingness to change. The lyrics describe a pivotal moment when Megaman is faced with the knowledge that his brother, Protoman, who was supposedly dead, is standing on the side of the man they were planning to destroy. Dr. Light, their creator, appears and explains that there is no way for Megaman to avenge his brother's death and save mankind at the same time.
Protoman challenges the crowd to stand up and fight, but no one answers, and he laments that there are no heroes left in man. He encourages Megaman to see the truth that people do not want change, and they only desire a martyr or a statue to raise. Protoman then charges into the enemy's army, destroying his own legions as he advances towards the front, where he stands alone in front of Megaman. The air is thick with smoke and anticipation as the brothers stare at each other, and Megaman finally drops his weapon.
The lyrics of The Stand are full of symbolism and profound meaning. The song is a commentary on the human condition and how our fears and complacency prevent us from striving for change and living up to our potential. It is also a reflection on the nature of heroism and how it is often misunderstood and misused. The stand-off between the two brothers represents the inner conflict within every individual to choose between cowardice and courage, and to stand up for what is right and just, regardless of the consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
Megaman dropped to his knees and lowered his weapon.
Megaman gives up his fight with his brother Protoman and drops to his knees in surrender.
Dr. Light stepped quietly out of the crowd.
Dr. Light calmly separates himself from the angry crowd to talk to Megaman and Protoman.
You're trying to understand. I told you your brother had been killed.
Dr. Light explains to Megaman that Protoman was thought to be dead.
Yet, here he stands in the very shadow of the man you came here to destroy.
Protoman is alive and in the same place as Dr. Wily, the man who Megaman is fighting against.
You came here to avenge his death. You came here to save mankind. You see now, you cannot do both.
Dr. Light warns Megaman that he cannot bring justice for his lost brother and save humanity at the same time. He must choose.
Tell me now. Is there a man among you here? Is there no one who will stand up and try to fight? Tell me Man, is there not one in all your ranks? Is there not one who values courage over life?
Protoman challenges the crowd to find someone brave enough to fight for what is right and not just sacrifice themselves for a lost cause.
They looked to me once. Now they turn to you. Do you understand now? Do you see that the truth is they don't want to change this? They don't want a hero. They just want a martyr, a statue to raise.
Protoman reveals that he was once their hero, but now they have turned to Megaman for salvation. However, the mob only wants a figurehead to idolize, not a true hero to bring change.
I've given every thing I can. There are no heroes left in man.
Protoman laments the state of humanity and their lack of true heroes.
No matter which one of us lives, the ground we're standing on will crack and blow away. You will fight. And when you fight, you'll fight alone. And in the end you'll see there was no other way.
The brothers are in a dire situation, where no matter who wins, the world will suffer. Megaman will fight alone with no backup, and will realize that this was their only path to take.
But why should we save them When they stand for nothing? If they deserve life, LET THEM STAND FOR THEMSELVES.
Protoman questions why they should save humanity when they do not stand for anything. If they truly deserve life, they should fight for it themselves.
They'll watch you die to save their lives. They will not stand here by your side.
Protoman warns Megaman that the people will not stand with him and will only watch as he sacrifices himself for their sake.
We've given everything we can. There are no heroes left in man. So let them watch as we decide the very fate of all mankind!
Protoman and Megaman are the last hope for humanity, but there are no other heroes left. They must make the tough decision themselves and let the people bear witness to the outcome.
The air is thick with smoke. Protoman makes no move, but stands, still at some distance, at the ready.
The scene is tense with the impending battle between the brothers. Protoman is ready, but does not make a move.
Megaman, still fighting to fully grasp the truth of the situation, raises from his knees. His weapon raised hesitantly, Megaman locks eyes with his brother but breaks free seconds later.
Megaman is still struggling to understand the gravity of the situation. He stands up and hesitantly prepares his weapon, but ultimately decides against fighting his brother.
Dr. Light can watch no more. The crowd watches with fiery intensity.
Dr. Light can no longer bear to watch the brothers' confrontation, and the crowd is eagerly anticipating the outcome of their fight.
His father's eyes are on the ground.
Megaman's father is ashamed of the family conflict, and cannot bear to watch the two brothers fight.
Protoman: We've given everything we can. There are no heroes left in man. So let them watch as we decide the very fate of all mankind!
Protoman decides to fight against Megaman to decide the destiny of humanity, knowing they are the last hope left.
His weapon drops to his side.
Megaman drops his weapon and signals to his brother that he will not fight him.
Contributed by Jack F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Zerotraveler
People talk a lot about the line, "There are no heroes left in Man." but I feel the beginning is much more powerful.
"Tell me now!
Is there a Man among you here,
Is there no one who will stand up and try to fight?"
"Tell me, Man!
Is there not one in all your ranks?
Is there no one who values Courage, over life?"
Protoman is begging for any of the crowd to stand up for themselves. I see it as the implication that if even one person put themselves forward, he'd turn around and fight Wily's forces tooth and nail(or bolt and screw, as it were)
SaY FarmeR7
Lyrics
You're trying to understand.
I told you your brother had been killed.
Yet, here he stands in the very shadow of the man you came here to destroy.
You came here to avenge his death.
You came here to save mankind.
You see now, you cannot do both.
Tell me now.
Is there a man among you here?
Is there no one who will stand up and try to fight?
Tell me Man, is there not one in all your ranks?
Is there not one who values courage over life?
They looked to me once.
Now they turn to you.
Do you understand now?
Do you see that the truth is they don't want to change this?
They don't want a hero.
They just want a martyr, a statue to raise.
I've given everything I can.
There are no heroes left in man.
So it begins!
No matter which one of us lives, the ground we're standing on will crack and blow away.
And you will fight.
But when you fight, you'll fight alone.
And in the end you'll see there was no other way.
I've been here before.
I've stood where you stand.
They called me their hero, The Hero of Man.
But why should we save them
When they stand for nothing?
If they deserve life, LET THEM STAND FOR THEMSELVES.
We've given everything we can.
There are no heroes left in man.
They'll watch you die to save their lives.
They will not stand here by your side.
(Instrumentals)
We've given everything we can.
There are no heroes left in man!
So let them watch as we decide,
the very fate of all mankind!
macebaccon
so frigging epic
"But when you fight, you'll fight alone.
And in the end you'll see there was no other way.
I've been here before.
I've stood where you stand.
They called me their hero, The Hero of Man.
But why should we save them
when they stand for nothing?
If they deserve life, LET THEM STAND FOR THEMSELVES.
We've given everything we can.
There are no heroes left in man."
Zerotraveler
People talk a lot about the line, "There are no heroes left in Man." but I feel the beginning is much more powerful.
"Tell me now!
Is there a Man among you here,
Is there no one who will stand up and try to fight?"
"Tell me, Man!
Is there not one in all your ranks?
Is there no one who values Courage, over life?"
Protoman is begging for any of the crowd to stand up for themselves. I see it as the implication that if even one person put themselves forward, he'd turn around and fight Wily's forces tooth and nail(or bolt and screw, as it were)
Khorn ographic
You're absolutely right, he calls them all out and not one of them stands up.
Luke Mills
@Spider Jimmy Either that or they know damn well an audience member would get on stage and they'd have to drastically change the plot.
Spider Jimmy
"They'' watch you die to save their lives. They will not sand here by your side." This is the line that crushes me every time. I've seen them preform live so many times and not once have they done The Stand, I imagine it's because it would immediately crush the mood of the room.
Sethwick
I mean yeah, what else his dying words mean? He's begging them to tell their children because maybe one of them will actually listen.
Machintoshhater
It's really amazing how you can feel the heartbreak and betrayal in Protoman's voice with every "There are no heroes left in man".
Sethwick
@Lysergik Wizard Reckless behavior that endangers your neighbors is not freedom. Being unvaccinated isn't freedom anymore than drunk driving.
Sethwick
@Rungran Kibagami I always took that to be an indication of taking battle damage in the fight with Rock, as it gets worse in the end as he's die.
Ryan Peterson
@zealot246resonsibilty also comes into play...no mans an island
zealot246
@Lysergik Wizard freedom and uprising against things that should be fought