1996-2001: Hollywood Records years
In 1995 the band signed to Hollywood Records, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. 1996 saw the release of their first album, Destruction by Definition. Its blend of punk rock and ska brought the national attention in the midst of the mid-1990s punk rock mainstream revival. The single "No Face" became a minor hit on modern rock radio stations and the album was supported through extensive touring across the United States. They released a follow-up in 1998 entitled Battle Hymns, which continued their ska punk style while incorporating more aggressive elements of hardcore punk, with nearly all of its songs lasting under two minutes in length.
Following the release of Battle Hymns Grant left the band. He went on to play with numerous groups including Thoughts of Ionesco, The Vandals, face to face, and Telegraph before finding a permanent position in the Alkaline Trio. He was replaced by Erin Pitman for some touring before new permanent drummer Ryan Vandeberghe joined. In 2000 this lineup released The Suicide Machines, a more pop rock oriented effort that moved away from the ska influences of their earlier releases. They received some radio and video play for the single "Sometimes I Don't Mind" and performed on the Warped Tour that Summer. In 2001 they released Steal This Record, which continued their exploration of pop punk style while mixing in elements of their earlier ska punk and hardcore albums.
2002-2005: Side One Dummy years
Following touring in support of Steal This Record bassist Nunley left The Suicide Machines to start his own band, Blueprint 76, and was replaced by Rich Tschirhart. The band also ended their contract with Hollywood Records, fulfilling their contractual obligations by releasing the compilation album The Least Worst of the Suicide Machines. They then moved to the independent label Side One Dummy Records. Their next album A Match and Some Gasoline, released in 2003, found the band abandoning the pop experimentations of their previous two albums and returning more to the ska punk and hardcore styles of their earlier years. They also began to explore sociopolitical themes in songs such as "Did You Ever Get a Feeling of Dread?" and "Your Silence," which were critical of President George W. Bush's administration, its response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. They toured internationally in support of the album and again performed on the Warped Tour.
In 2005 the band released the album War Profiteering is Killing Us All, which continued their political themes by openly attacking the Bush White House, the continuation of the Iraq War, and conservative Republicanism. Navarro also launched his own record label, Noise Riot Records, and released On the Eve of Destruction: 1991-1995, a compilation of the band's early EPs, singles, and demos.
2006: Breakup and post-Suicide Machines activity
In 2006, while touring in support of War Profiteering is Killing Us All, the band abruptly broke up. Explanations given by the band members for this included Vandeberghe's desire to take a break from touring, which he did while friend Steve McCrumb filled for a performance at the Troubadour in Los Angeles on May 11. A tour of Mexico had been planned to follow this, and Navarro had suggested that the band perform its final shows that Christmas. However, interpersonal tensions came to a head after the Troubadour show when Lukacinsky refused to finish the tour. Lukacinsky himself further elaborated that the band had been planning to break up for some time.
Following the band's breakup, Navarro and Vandeberghe continued working with Left in Ruin, a band they had started as a Suicide Machines side project and had worked on and off with for almost 6 years. Vandeberghe also joined the new band Hifi Handgrenades. Lukacinsky, meanwhile, started his own band Bayonetting the Wounded. Navarro is currently fronting Hellmouth. Tschirhart is in The A-Gang.
Our Time
The Suicide Machines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got no time!
How can it end when it never began?
Why can't I win when I know I can?
Seems that we've forgotten about the mess we're in
Which way do we go, and was there ever a plan?
Seems I'm getting old ya see and I can't avoid responsibility
Stuck in a box of popular belief and it feels like somethings wrong with me!
Got no! Got no time for myself [Repeat x4]
Do we have a function?
Tell me is there something
Is this my assumption?
Tell me is there something
Life is nothing but consumption
Tell me is there something there! Oh yeah!
I got no time!
How can we help when we don't know where to begin?
Fighting the system, yet you got sucked in
You dropped out of the race, 'cause you never fit in
It's a racist power structure, do we call it human?
Seems I'm getting old ya see and I can't avoid responsibility
Stuck in a box of popular belief and it feels like somethings wrong with me!
I've seen through all the years and through all the tears
I've seen my share, it makes me feel like¡Â
No one even cares
I've seen through all the years and through all the tears
I've seen my share, it makes me feel like¡Â
No one even cares
Do we have a function?
Tell me is there something
Is this my assumption?
Tell me is there something
Life is nothing but consumption
Tell me is there something there! There? There!
Seems that no one even cares!
“Our Time” by The Suicide Machines is a powerful critique of modern society and its many problems. The opening lines of the song, “I got no time! I got no time!” set the tone for the rest of the lyrics, where the singer bemoans the lack of time they have to accomplish anything meaningful. This is a common sentiment in modern society where work, social obligations, and distractions like social media can consume all our time.
The next lines, “How can it end when it never began? Why can't I win when I know I can?” highlight the frustration people feel when struggling to achieve their goals. This can include personal aspirations, professional success, or even broader societal change. The following lines, “Seems that we've forgotten about the mess we're in, Which way do we go, and was there ever a plan?” show a sense of hopelessness and confusion about the state of the world.
The chorus repeats the idea that the singer has “got no time” for themselves, which can be interpreted as a lack of self-care or time to pursue personal passions. The rest of the song critiques the problems inherent in society such as the failure to address social and political issues, the futility of fighting against an oppressive system, and the sense that no one seems to care or take responsibility for making things better.
Overall, “Our Time” is a powerful message about the need for social change, both on a personal and societal level. It implores listeners to take responsibility for their own lives and work towards a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
I got no time!
I am extremely busy and cannot spare any time.
I got no time!
I am extremely busy and cannot spare any time.
How can it end when it never began?
The situation seems unresolved because there was never any proper beginning.
Why can't I win when I know I can?
I have the ability to succeed but still face obstacles that prevent me from winning.
Seems that we've forgotten about the mess we're in
We do not acknowledge or address the problems we face.
Which way do we go, and was there ever a plan?
We are unsure of the direction we should take and do not have a clear strategy in place.
Seems I'm getting old ya see and I can't avoid responsibility
I am aging and must take on more responsibility as a result.
Stuck in a box of popular belief and it feels like somethings wrong with me!
I feel restricted by societal norms and beliefs and feel like there is something wrong with me for feeling this way.
Got no! Got no time for myself [Repeat x4]
I am too busy to take any time for myself.
Do we have a function?
Do we have a defined purpose or role?
Tell me is there something
Please inform me if there is anything that can guide us or give us direction.
Is this my assumption?
Am I making an accurate assumption about the situation?
Life is nothing but consumption
Life seems to revolve solely around accumulating material possessions and consuming resources.
Tell me is there something there! Oh yeah!
Please confirm if there is something that can provide us with hope, reassurance, or direction.
How can we help when we don't know where to begin?
It is difficult to know how to help or fix a problem when we do not have a starting point or direction.
Fighting the system, yet you got sucked in
Attempting to go against societal or political systems, but ultimately becoming part of the very thing being fought against.
You dropped out of the race, 'cause you never fit in
Choosing to opt out of societal norms and expectations because you never felt like you belonged or fit in.
It's a racist power structure, do we call it human?
The societal systems in place are inherently racist and oppressive, which makes it difficult to believe they can truly be called humane or fair.
I've seen through all the years and through all the tears
I have experienced and witnessed a lot of pain and hardship over the years.
It makes me feel like no one even cares
The overwhelming amount of suffering and lack of action or empathy from others can make it feel like no one cares.
Seems that no one even cares!
It seems like nobody is invested or interested in making meaningful change.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JASON ERIK NAVARRO, NUNLEY ROYCE ASHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@brandonsergeon5915
got no time!
I got no time!
How can it end when it never began?
Why can't I win when I know I can?
Seems that we've forgotten about the mess we're in
Which way do we go, and was there ever a plan?
Seems I'm getting old ya see and I can't avoid responsibility
Stuck in a box of popular belief and it feels like somethings wrong with me! Listen | Buy
Got no! Got no time for myself (repeat 4x)
Do we have a function?
Tell me is there something
Is this my assumption?
Tell me is there something
Life is nothing but consumption
Tell me is there something there! Oh yeah!
I got no time!
How can we help when we don't know where to begin?
Fighting the system, yet you got sucked in
You dropped out of the race, 'cause you never fit in
It's a racist power structure, do we call it human?
Seems I'm getting old ya see and I can't avoid responsibility
Stuck in a box of popular belief and it feels like somethings wrong with me!
I've seen through all the years and through all the tears
I've seen my share, it makes me feel like...
No one even cares...
I've seen through all the years and through all the tears
I've seen my share, it makes me feel like...
No one even cares...
Do we have a function?
Tell me is there something
Is this my assumption?
Tell me is there something
Life is nothing but consumption
Tell me is there something there! There? There!
Seems that no one even cares
@joshsandy3380
Amazing track. Still good in 2020 thank you!
@christophersanford2014
Great album. I remember seeing these dudes live it was awesome.
@asageorge6x3
Same, saw them warped tour 2000. Wish there was still good skate punk like this around
@parvenughost6858
Bought the cd some time back in random teenage years ended up writing to Dan lukacinsky (cant spell) he was an amazing guy. I wrote afew years later but the dynamic was going musically. A great band that i wish id have seen back then but i was too young to even go lol <3 i still know all the words, love this album x
@ryankeogh6611
Nickel and Dime rollerblading video from ‘96 brought me here. 18 years later
@karlturner9038
Bring me back my 2010. So nostalgic!
@crashstitches79
Awesome classic track from a powerhouse album.
@LoganMPierce
I want to fight whoever disliked this.
@RoninAgain
No time for that now.
Just feel the lyrics/band.
Skank the Pain Away.
This is my Assumption
And yes, some still don't Care.
@omarbahrour
Same