Vasoli has lately been focusing on his side project, known as Person L. Tom has been recording with his new band, Cheap Seats, with Matt as their manager. Mike also has a side project, called The Traded Series. The origins of the group that would become The Starting Line go back to 1999, via an AOL instant message from Churchville, Pennsylvania guitarist Matt Watts to vocalist/bassist Kenny Vasoli. It asked if the then fourteen-year-old Vasoli, who was at that time in a band called Smash Adams, was interested in "Jamming and shit", as the message title read.
Only a few weeks later, Vasoli found himself rehearsing with his future bandmates Watts, guitarist Mike Golla and drummer Tom Gryskewicz. Soon, the band started touring under the name Sunday Drive, selling out home-made merchandise and a self-recorded demo cassette that the guys titled 'Four Songs'. Their first official release was a three-way split with The Jimmy Tuesday Band and The Commercials contributing three songs each, the work released on KickStart Audio in 2000.
Sunday Drive was soon approached by We the People Records and asked to produce a recording session (the infamous We the People Records Sessions). Set for a release in December 2000, the twelve songs were initially planned to become the band's debut full-length With Hopes of Starting Over on We the People Records, but they ended up serving only as demos for tracks on future releases, as the band signed with Drive-Thru Records in April 2001. On Drive-Thru, they soon released their debut EP With Hopes of Starting Over. Yet, as the name Sunday Drive was already taken by a Christian rock band, they went on as The Starting Line.
On July 16, 2002, almost exactly one year after the release of their EP, the full-length Say It Like You Mean It followed. The songs ranged from energetic and fast-paced to melancholy and calm, dealing with performing on stage ("Given the Chance"), feeling homesick ("Left Coast Envy") and getting even with Vasoli's ex-girlfriend Karina ("Up & Go", "Hello Houston", among others). The hit single "The Best of Me" and its two music videos, as well as the second single "Leaving", received heavy radio and TV airplay, securing The Starting Line a spot on the Warped Tour.
Due to their desire to put out new material, the band decided to release an all-unplugged EP, recorded in three sessions over the following year. The first three songs (recorded in The Prize Fight's Bob Jones' bedroom in August 2002), the second session (recorded in Vasoli's basement in March 2003) and the last track (recorded on the band's touring bus in April 2003) became The Make Yourself at Home EP, released on November 25, 2003. The CD and the DVD version issued simultaneously, featuring an acoustic set performed live at Skate & Surf 2003 in Asbury Park, New Jersey, would be their last releases put out solely on Drive-Thru Records, as The Starting Line was signed by Geffen Records soon afterwards.
Their major label debut, Based on a True Story, came out in May 2005. Lyrically, the band dissociated themselves from the post-relationship formula that was predominant on their previous records. On this album, a lot of the songs (e.g. "Inspired By the $", "Autography" and "The B-List") were explicitly inspired by the band's disdain for their record label Geffen and its executives. The album was far more successful than the band's 2002 effort and sold 42,000 copies within its first week, as opposed to its predecessor's 11,000. The release was followed by the semi-headlining Nintendo Fusion Tour with Fall Out Boy, kicking off in September 2005. A few dates into the tour, The Starting Line were — at their request — released from their record deal with Geffen, and became free agents. In early January 2006, their signing with Virgin Records was announced.
On March 5, 2008 the band announced in an e-mail and on Absolutepunk.net they would be going on a break in order for Ken and Brian to explore Person L, Matt and Tom to explore The Seventy Six, and Mike to spend time with his two daughters and explore The Traded Series. The band had been playing with the idea of coming back in 2011, but in a chat with absolutepunk.net, Kenny Vasoli said, ""it's looking good, may even be earlier. I hung with Matt and Tom the other day, we all are still in love with one another.
On November 10, 2009, The Starting Line released their first-ever live concert CD, film and documentary DVD titled "Somebody's Gonna Miss Us" via Image Entertainment on a 2-disc set. Through intimate and honest interviews with the band, friends and family fans will get a glimpse into the inner workings of the group and a career that spanned nearly a decade, five releases, and thousands of shows.
On December 29, 2009, The Starting Line had a reunion concert at the Theater of Living Arts. Starting Line guitarist Matt Watts stated on the website AbsolutePunk that "this doesn't mean that TSL are back together....It simply means that we're taking a break from our break, and wanted to play a fun show in Philadelphia and continue to focus on our lives outside of TSL"
The Starting Line added a second holiday show on December 30, 2009 in Philadelphia at the Trocadero Theater. This was added due to the fact that the first holiday show scheduled for December 29, 2009 sold out in a little over an hour and the band would like to give their local fans a better chance to see them. Towards the end of their set, Kenny Vasoli announced the band's reunion. However, the group has only toured intermittently since then.
Main Website: http://www.startinglinerock.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thestartingline
Direction
The Starting Line Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been breaking sweats in the night-time
I was growing my hair
And I could not care
What they think
Cause my eyes were turned up
I've been singing songs in the night-time
I was banging my head
And I could not care
What they think
I said don't open the door
Even if you hear me screaming
I built a raft and got carried away
In my new direction
And there's where I stay
Cause, you should have known
That this boy wasn't grown
So you can go away
Go away
If you want to leave
If you want to leave
Now get down!
I was catching glimpses of bright lights
And they attracted my steps
'Till I was so scared
Of what could be
Hidden underneath the rocks
So we're never in position
I was singing songs of a lost mind
But I am still with my friends
So I am not scared
Of anything
I said don't open the door
Even if you hear me screaming
I met a boy who got carried away
In my direction
And there's where he stays
Well, you should have known
That this boy wasn't grown
So you can go away
Go away
If you want to leave
And now don't you hide
'Cause you've got a treasure to find
So shed those leaves that you lie underneath (underneath)
And now don't you stray
If you feel that you've lost your way
Share this feeling that came over me (over me)
Break down!
I've been breaking sweats in the night-time
I was growing my hair
And I could not care
What they think
I said
Don't open the door, even if you hear me screaming
I am the boy who got carried away
In my new direction
And there's where I stay
Well, you should have known
That this boy wasn't grown
So you can go away
Go away
If you want to leave
If you want to leave
You should have known
That this boy wasn't grown
So you can go away
Go away
If you want to leave
If you want to leave
The Starting Line's song "Direction" is an anthem about staying true to oneself and following your own path, regardless of what others may think or say. The lyrics describe a journey of self-discovery, with the singer breaking out of his comfort zone and embracing his true self. He sings about ignoring the opinions of others and doing what feels right, even when it's scary or uncertain.
Throughout the song, the singer alludes to the idea of being carried away in a new direction, which can be interpreted as a metaphor for personal growth and change. He encourages others to do the same, to shed the leaves that they lie underneath and to share in the feeling that came over him. The lyrics are empowering and uplifting, with a catchy melody and a strong beat that drive the message home.
Overall, "Direction" is a powerful and inspirational song that reminds its listeners to be true to themselves and to never stop growing and changing. It encourages its audience to embrace their individuality and to never give up on their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been breaking sweats in the night-time
I have been exerting myself at night, working hard to reach my goals
I was growing my hair and I could not care what they think
I was making changes to my appearance and didn't care about the opinions of others
Cause my eyes were turned up like you tore open the ceiling
I was looking up towards the sky with a sense of wonder and awe
I've been singing songs in the night-time, I was banging my head
I was expressing myself through music and getting lost in the rhythm
I said don't open the door even if you hear me screaming
I am working through my struggles and don't need interference or help from others
I built a raft and got carried away in my new direction, and there's where I stay
I have charted a new path for myself and am sticking with it, come what may
Cause you should have known that this boy wasn't grown, so you can go away, go away
I'm not a fully formed adult and don't need unsolicited advice or opinions from others
I was catching glimpses of bright lights and they attracted my steps
I have been drawn to new opportunities that are exciting and invigorating
'Till I was so scared of what could be hidden underneath the rocks
As I pursued my goals, I became increasingly apprehensive about potential obstacles and challenges
So we're never in position, I was singing songs of a lost mind
I am still figuring things out and trying to find my way, which can be disorienting
But I am still with my friends so I am not scared of anything
I have a strong support system and don't need to face my challenges alone
I met a boy who got carried away in my direction, and there's where he stays
Someone else has followed my lead and joined me in pursuing our shared dreams
And now don't you hide 'Cause you've got a treasure to find
Don't be afraid to go after what you truly want and need in life
So shed those leaves that you lie underneath (underneath)
Cast off whatever is holding you back or weighing you down
And now don't you stray if you feel that you've lost your way
Stay focused and committed to your goals, even if it seems like you've lost your path
Share this feeling that came over me (over me)
Spread the sense of inspiration and drive that has taken hold of me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN SCHMUTZ, KENNETH VASOLI, MATTHEW WATTS, MICHAEL GOLLA, THOMAS GRYSKIEWICZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mau R.
06:19 01.Direction
10:21 02. 21
13:13 03. Are you alone?
17:34 04. Island
22:22 05. Hurry
27:15 06. Something left to give
33:29 07. Birds
37:47 08. Way with Words
42:20 09. I could be wrong
48:24 10. Somebody's gonna miss us
51:18 11. Need to love
56:50 12. What you want
Kathryn Solecki
This album brings up such good memories of me and my dad. He passed away in 2011 when I was 17. I remember shouting the lyrics of Something Left to Give with him in his car so many times. Such special memories I’ll always remember. Thank you for that.
Su Bo Bing
My dad passed away when I was 15. I wish I could have shared more music with my dad. That’s cool that you had that with him and I’m
Sorry for your loss and totally get how you feel. Love that song so much. I did a video for my family using that song with pictures of my sons and rest of my family. ❤
Mau R.
06:19 01.Direction
10:21 02. 21
13:13 03. Are you alone?
17:34 04. Island
22:22 05. Hurry
27:15 06. Something left to give
33:29 07. Birds
37:47 08. Way with Words
42:20 09. I could be wrong
48:24 10. Somebody's gonna miss us
51:18 11. Need to love
56:50 12. What you want
Taylor H
made their best album and dipped. sounding great here.
Dee Payne
This album was so integral to my understanding of songwriting. The songs were a perfect balance of simplistic yet very musically dense yet. Lyrically and arrangement are literally just some of the most fun and potent I’ve ever experienced as a consumer. This is without a doubt their best album. Super tight and polished but authentic and digestible. If they make another project in this vein I’d gladly take a listen!
super User
It genuinely makes me happy watching Kenny and the guys playing these songs. So much good vibes from days long past.
Always Evolving
Brian's "Don't Open The Door Even If You Hear Me Screaming" was hauntingly brilliant.
pop-punk historian2
that lyric is awesome too, Young Frankenstein reference? also nice swellers pfp :)
nickmaybee
One of my favorite albums of all time!! Thanks for this awesome live version! :D
Daniel Recio
Unlocked a core memory of how many times I had this album on replay when I was 17.