The Vanished’s songs lyrically deal with the dark side of human nature through troubled relationships to tormented characters and hopeful resolution. There are many influential icons including The Cure and Motley Cr..e to Led Zeppelin and David Bowie that have had an affect on the members of THE VANISHED. "At the end of the day it is all about the song," states Kirkwood. "We try and write the best and most honest tunes we can. Saying that, our live shows are just as important. We make it a point to communicate the same type of emotion. We view the shows like a three-act-play. Just playing the songs live, isn't enough for us. Be it through certain types of lighting, staging and song arrangements, we want the shows to be an experience."
The band pushes the live experience on stage to the point where band members have been at risk of life and limb. "Justin broke his hand at a show, Dallas has lost several ounces of blood from splitting his thumb open, a wound that will not heal, on his guitar during shows and I've chipped my front tooth in a collision with my microphone and a fans head in the front row," admits the intense singer. "Our drummer is the only member who has been able to avoid bodily injury during a show," he grins, adding, "We are all waiting for him to spontaneously combust."
In 2005 the band released their debut full-length album Favorite Scar and received an immediate reaction across the southwest. Quickly climbing the charts at KDGE in Dallas/Ft. Worth, The Vanished’s lead title track “Favorite Scar” achieved 1300 spins on the station prompting the song to reach 1100 spins on KLAQ in El Paso. These overwhelming successes led the band to 18 months of tours and concert events where they shared the stage with Bowling For Soup, Blue October, Daughtry, Flyleaf, The Exies and Simple Plan. Along with these tours The Vanished performed at numerous radio festivals and events with My Chemical Romance, Alkaline Trio, Velvet Revolver, Chevelle, Papa Roach, Buckcherry and several dates on the Warped Tour (2005).
The Vanished realized another triumph in November of 2006 with the release of Act 1: Captives the first in a trio of EP’s to be revealed by the band. The three-part series reflects the theatrical behavior the band captures in each live performance – sharing not just live music with the audience but a three-act play of passion, despair and tragedy. Produced by Zac Maloy (formerly of the Nixons) and recorded at Rosewater Studios in Tulsa, OK, this first imprint of the impending trilogy features five power-house tracks showcasing The Vanished’s vivid story telling. The EP’s first single “The Longest Goodbye” has reached #1 in airplay at KDGE in Dallas and the top 10 at KLAQ in El Paso, KDJE in Little Rock and KMYZ in Tulsa. The single is collectively being played at over 13 stations across the southwest including KTCL in Denver. This progression of accomplishments welcomed The Vanished to perform at the grand opening of Dallas’ Palladium Ballroom music venue in 2007 and was a springboard to a series of concert events including the band’s third appearance at KDGE’s Edgefest in Dallas at Pizza Hut Park and second appearance at KTBZ’s Buzzfest in Houston at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.
The Vanished continue to perform across the nation as they prepare for the 2007 Family Values Tour in August. The band will be releasing their follow-up single from Act 1: Captives titled “I Love Your Blood” in early summer. “Act 1: Captives” is available online via the band’s website and may be found on iTunes.
Kerosene
The Vanished Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just to lie one more time
To steal my heart away, everything will be okay
Nothing tastes quite like denial
And I've got nothing to lose, it's colored like a bruise
The way you left me
And I've got nothing to hide, it died inside
I'm sorry I didn't smile today, my house is on fire again
So bring to me kerosene, my house is on fire again
I fake one more smile, the plastic one I've worn for miles
Just to keep wearing the crown
And crack one more joke, laugh 'till I almost choked
'Till nothing tastes quite like denial
And I've got nothing to lose, it's colored like a bruise
The way you left me
And I've got nothing to hide, it died inside
The way it should be
I'm sorry I didn't smile today, my house is on fire again
So bring to me kerosene, my house is on fire again
Kerosene
My house is on fire again
Kerosene,
My house is on fire again
I'm sorry I didn't smile today, my house is on fire again
So bring to me kerosene, my house is on fire again
I'm sorry I didn't smile today, my house is on fire again
So bring to me kerosene, my house is on fire again
At first glance, "Kerosene" by The Vanished may seem like a song that glorifies self-destruction and numbness to pain. The singer appears to be in a state of turmoil, seeking to escape their reality by creating new skins and accepting lies as truth. The words "nothing tastes quite like denial" suggests that the singer is aware of their inability to face their problems while also unwilling to take any steps to change their situation.
The song's title "Kerosene" suggests that the singer intentionally sets their house on fire as a means of escape. In the chorus, the singer begs for kerosene, which is a highly flammable liquid used for lighting lamps and starting fires. The mention of the house on fire creates a metaphor for the singer's life. This metaphor suggests they are experiencing internal "burnout" and need something to numb their pain.
The final lyrics, "I'm sorry I didn't smile today, my house is on fire again," add a layer of sadness and regret to the song. It seems like the singer is aware that their actions are causing them harm but feels unable to stop themselves from repeating the patterns of self-destructive behavior. The repetition of the line "my house is on fire again" in the final verse further emphasizes this sense of helplessness and despair.
Line by Line Meaning
I need a new skin, an enemy to call a friend
I want a fresh start, someone who I can trust but also fight against
Just to lie one more time
To keep up appearances, I'll continue to deceive
To steal my heart away, everything will be okay
The idea of love is tempting, but I know it won't solve my problems
Nothing tastes quite like denial
Ignoring the truth may be comforting, but it's not fulfilling
And I've got nothing to lose, it's colored like a bruise
I've hit rock bottom before, so I'm not afraid to take risks
The way you left me
You hurt me deeply by abandoning me
And I've got nothing to hide, it died inside
I've accepted the pain and moved on
The way it should be
Instead of dwelling on the past, I'm focused on the present
I'm sorry I didn't smile today, my house is on fire again
I'm struggling but don't want to burden others
So bring to me kerosene, my house is on fire again
Sometimes destruction is the only way to begin anew
I fake one more smile, the plastic one I've worn for miles
Putting on a facade has become second nature to me
Just to keep wearing the crown
I'm afraid of losing my status, so I'll keep pretending
And crack one more joke, laugh 'till I almost choked
Humor helps me cope with the pain, but it's not a permanent fix
Kerosene
I'm ready to start afresh, even if it means burning everything down
My house is on fire again
Everything I've built is crumbling around me
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind