The band most often explained that they took the name from the Australian term "sheila", which denotes an effeminate man or wimp - thus making them in a literal sense, the sacred wimps. The name is also similar to that of the suicidal main character of the book Sheila Levine Is Dead and Living in New York. However, they took their name directly from a college friend named Sheila Devine. After changing the spelling and operating as Sheila Divine for several months the "The" was added to distinguish the band from such female artists as Fiona Apple.
The Sheila Divine formed in 1997 and played their first show on July 4 at The Middle East in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The lineup consisted of singer, songwriter, and guitarist Aaron Perrino, bassist Jim Gilbert, and drummer Shawn Sears. All three had met in college at State University of New York at Oneonta, but each had ended up in Boston independently. They were signed to local indie label Cherry Disc Records and released their self-titled five track EP in 1998. They gained a loyal local following and went on to win the 1999 WBCN Rock & Roll Rumble. Cherry Disc Records were bought out by Roadrunner Records, who released The Sheila Divine's first full length album New Parade in 1999. It received critical praise from local press and spawned the college radio hit Hum. The album featured re-recorded versions of songs that appeared on their first EP, as well as several brand new songs (the Japanese import edition featured two additional songs unavailable on the domestic release, "Secret Rendezvous" and "Weightless", the latter of which had also been released as the b-side to the then-titled "Criminal", the band's only released vinyl 7-inch).
In late 2000, the band was hard at work on their second album when they added Colin Decker as a second guitarist to broaden their sound. The band released their second album, Where Have My Countrymen Gone, in March 2001 on Co-Op Pop Records. Later that year in August, Shawn Sears left the band to spend more time with his recently born child. Following a handful of shows with fill-ins Pete Caldes (The Gravel Pit/The Gentlemen) and Paul Buckley (Orbit), drummer Ryan Dolan replaced Sears a month later; Dolan had previously been in the band Lincolnville with guitarist Colin Decker. The Sheila Divine continued to tour constantly and created a large fan base that included both people who would see them across the country and others who would record live shows to share. The band was always generous to bootleggers and allowed video and/or audio taping at all shows.
The band released the six track EP Secret Society in September 2002 (Arena Rock Recording Co.). They embarked on a non-stop world tour consisting of China, Europe, and then across the United States and back. This rigorous schedule would prove to be the band's undoing. While at a show in the mid-west a confrontation with Jim resulted in Aaron throwing his guitar down and announcing to the audience that the band was breaking up. Upon returning home, the band stated on their website they would not break up, but would instead take time off. Aaron Perrino went on to start recording songs in the studio by himself, which would end up on the War Chords EP, the debut release of his new solo project, Dear Leader. The Sheila Divine officially announced their demise on their website in April of 2003, and played two farewell shows in October at The Paradise in Boston, Massachusetts. The sold-out shows were attended by fans who had travelled from as far away as Oregon and Belgium.
Happily, original bandmates Aaron and Jim are still on friendly terms, as their respective new bands have played together several times. They still call Boston home. Shawn left Boston and now lives in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Ryan left Boston and moved to Maine, becoming a father for the first time. Colin Decker moved to San Francisco and is involved with television production.
On December 31, 2005 The Sheila Divine played a reunion show at Bill's Bar on Landsdowne Street in Boston. The band played as a three piece with Aaron, Jim, and Ryan. A second reunion show was played on Saint Patrick's Day March 17, 2007 at TT The Bear's Club with the same lineup.
The group continue their occasional efforts, the products of which can be seen at their Bandcamp page, http://thesheiladivine.bandcamp.com/, and their main web site: http://the-things-that-once-were.com/. In 2012 they released a new album, The Things That Once Were.
Albums:
New Parade (1999 · Roadrunner Records)
Where Have My Countrymen Gone (2001 · Co-Op Pop Records)
The Things That Once Were (2012)
EPs:
The Sheila Divine EP (1998 · Cherry Disc Records)
Secret Society EP (2002 · Arena Rock Recording Co.)
Singles:
Hum/I'm A Believer cassette promo (1999 · Roadrunner Records)
Hum radio promo CD (1999 · Roadrunner Records)
Like A Criminal 7" vinyl (1999 · Roadrunner Records)
Ostrich radio promo CD (2001 · Independent)
Compilations
Viva Noel - A Q Division Christmas : "O Holy Night" (1999 · Q-Division Records}
Then Covered Now : "Metal Health (Bang Your Head)" (1999 · Hearbox Records)
In Our Lifetime: Vol. 3 : "New Landscape" (2002 · Fenway Recordings)
Awful Age
The Sheila Divine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
but i can't have it too
now i'm at that age
where no one pulls for you
and you want it bad
whatever's left of you
and you want it bad
whatever's left of you
never had the range
to put it in my sights
never had the strength
to pull it to new heights
and you want it bad
whatever's left of you
and you want it bad
but there's nothing you can do
whatever's left of you
i'm at an awful age
i'm at an awful stage
we don't stand a chance
it's the death of true romance
when a glance was just a glance
we don't stand a chance
if i sell my heart
i'll leave it far behind
but if i could restart
there would be a spark you'd never find
The Sheila Divine's song "Awful Age" captures the sense of disillusionment that many people experience as they progress into adulthood. The lyrics express a feeling of regret and missed opportunities, as the singer acknowledges that they "never had the range" or "strength" to achieve their goals. They compare themselves to someone who "could have it all," but understands that they are now at an age where "no one pulls for you." This line speaks to the idea that in youth, one's potential seems limitless and people often rally to support each other's goals, but as we get older, it can feel like we're on our own.
The chorus of the song focuses on the desire to want more, despite feeling like there's "nothing you can do" to change your situation. The repeated use of the phrase "whatever's left of you" emphasizes the idea of feeling reduced or diminished by the passage of time. The final verse speaks to the idea of starting over, but acknowledges that even if the singer were to sell their heart (i.e. make a sacrifice), there's no guarantee that they would find the spark they're looking for.
Overall, "Awful Age" is a poignant reflection on the disappointments and limitations of adulthood. It speaks to the sense of loss that many people feel as they age, but also captures the sense of hope and longing that persists even in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
you could have it all
The singer acknowledges that someone else can have everything they want, but they can't have the same things.
but i can't have it too
The singer explains that they cannot have the same things they want as the person in the first line.
now i'm at that age
The singer points out that they're no longer young and have reached a certain phase of their life.
where no one pulls for you
The artist feels like nobody is rooting for them anymore.
and you want it bad
The artist acknowledges that the person being referred to desires something badly.
whatever's left of you
The singer says that the person feels like they only have a little left of themselves.
but there's nothing you can do
The singer notes that the person being referred to can't do anything to change their situation.
never had the range
The artist says that they never had the capacity to achieve their goals.
to put it in my sights
The artist notes that they didn't have the ability to see their target.
never had the strength
The artist didn't have the power or ability to achieve their ambitions.
to pull it to new heights
The singer notes that they never had the capability to elevate themselves.
i'm at an awful age
The artist describes their current age as terrible or unpleasant.
i'm at an awful stage
The singer feels like they've entered an unpleasant phase of life.
we don't stand a chance
The singer believes that they don't have an opportunity to accomplish their goals.
it's the death of true romance
The singer thinks that they're beyond the point of experiencing true love.
when a glance was just a glance
The artist reflects on a time when simple interactions could be innocent and not perceived as anything more.
if i sell my heart
The artist suggests that they could 'sell out' or abandon their true self to accomplish their desires.
i'll leave it far behind
The singer acknowledges that selling out would mean leaving behind their true self and their values.
but if i could restart
The singer reflects on the possibility of starting fresh and having a second chance.
there would be a spark you'd never find
If given a do-over, the artist feels they would possess something special that they currently don't have.
Contributed by Victoria V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.