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.
Sympathy
The Suicide Machines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bad habits are killing you
Reaching out cause you need a friend
Keep coming up with the same old problems
You keep running into the same old walls
You want to climb over
But you're scared you'll fall
But next time I see you
Will it happen again
I'm out of sympathy
I already know your promises are empty
Gonna try to help you find your way
Gonna try again to make you change
I don't know why I try
'Cause it's the same old story everytime and
Now it's clear to me what you really are
So quick to point the finger
For the mistakes you made
You think you've got the answers
The only thing you've got are problems
You keep telling me
You've got nothing to lose
Maybe that's because you just lost it all
You want to tell me different
But that's something that I've heard before
I'm out of sympathy
I already know your promises are empty
Gonna try to help you find your way
Gonna try again to make you change
I don't know why I try
'Cause it's the same old story everytime
And
Now it's clear to me
What you really are
Hey!
The Suicide Machines's song Sympathy seems to be addressing a person who is stuck in a cycle of bad habits and always experiencing the same problems. The singer of the song seems to be representing a friend or family member who is trying to help this person, but is slowly losing their patience and sympathy as they realize that the person is not willing to change. The lyrics suggest that this person is always quick to place blame on others, even though they themselves are responsible for their own problems.
Throughout the song, the singer keeps repeating that they are running out of sympathy for this person. They are tired of hearing the same empty promises and excuses every time they try to help. Despite this, the singer still wants to try to help this person find their way and change, but they are struggling to understand why they bother when it’s the same story every time. The repetitive nature of the lyrics seems to emphasize the feeling of being stuck in this situation and unable to move forward.
Overall, Sympathy seems to be a song about the frustration and exhaustion of trying to help someone who is stuck in their own problems, but is unwilling or unable to change. The lyrics suggest that the singer has reached their breaking point and is coming to terms with the fact that some people may never change, no matter how much you try to help them.
Line by Line Meaning
One track minded you
You are focused on one thing, unable to see other possibilities
Bad habits are killing you
Your unhealthy behaviors are causing difficulties in your life
Reaching out cause you need a friend
You are seeking help and support from others
Keep coming up with the same old problems
You are consistently facing the same issues and struggles
You keep running into the same old walls
You are facing constant obstacles and challenges
You want to climb over
You desire to overcome these challenges
But you're scared you'll fall
You fear failure and the consequences it may bring
But next time I see you Will it happen again
I am unsure if you will repeat your past behavior and struggles
I'm out of sympathy
I have exhausted my ability to provide empathy and understanding
I already know your promises are empty
I am aware that you have not followed through on your commitments
Gonna try to help you find your way
I will attempt to guide you towards a better path
Gonna try again to make you change
I will continue to encourage and support your efforts to change
I don't know why I try
I am uncertain why I am putting in effort, as it may not lead to success
'Cause it's the same old story everytime and
As your struggles remain consistent and unchanging, I am doubtful of a different outcome
Now it's clear to me What you really are
I have gained a better understanding of who you truly are and your struggles
So quick to point the finger
You are too eager to blame others for your problems instead of taking responsibility
For the mistakes you made
You are responsible for your own errors and missteps
You think you've got the answers
You believe you have the solutions to your problems
The only thing you've got are problems
Despite your belief that you have answers, your life is still filled with difficulties
You keep telling me You've got nothing to lose
You believe you have no more risks or consequences in your life
Maybe that's because you just lost it all
Your struggles have led to loss and hardship
You want to tell me different But that's something that I've heard before
You may try to convince me of your changes or progress, but I have heard it all before
Hey!
An exclamation to catch attention or emphasize a point
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DANIEL JAY LUKACINSKY, JASON ERIK NAVARRO, NUNLEY ROYCE ASHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
cosmicunderpants
Battle Hymns was always my least favourite SM album... After finally giving it a decent few listens and my musical ears being a bit more open minded I am glad to say it is now one of my favourite SM albums! Very addictive!
AntiiLife
this is my all-time favorite song of theirs. <333333333333
Johnny Amok
to me, it's their best.
Лисий 412R
Lyrics for da homiez
One track minded you
Bad habits are killing you
Reaching out cause you need a friend
Keep coming up with the same old problems
You keep running into the same old walls
You want to climb over
But you're scared, you'll fall
You're reaching out cause you need a friend
But next time I see you
Will it happen again
I'm out of sympathy
I already know your promises are empty
Gonna try to help you find your way
Gonna try again to make you change
I don't know why I try
Cause it's the same old story everytime and
Now it's clear to me what you really are
So quick to point the finger
For the mistakes you made
You think you've got the answers
The only thing you've got are problems
You keep telling me
You've got nothing to lose
Maybe that's because you just lost it all
You want to tell me of the things that are different
But that's something that i've heard before
I'm out of sympathy
I already know your promises are empty
Gonna try to help you find your way
Gonna try again to make you change
I don't knwo why i try
Cause it's the same old story everytime
And
Now it's clear to me
What you really are
Hey!
DZ Nuthouse
I agree! They should be up there with the heavy hitters
Eric Carstensen
its annoying how little this amazing band is