The Virus formed in February 1998, with Mike Virus on vocals, Chris on lead guitar, Fat Dave on guitar, Jarrod on drums, and Geoff on bass. The band played their first concert a month later. During the band's first six months, they performed several concerts, including one in Philadelphia with the band Special Duties, and a another at the now-closed Coney Island High in New York City.
In July 1998, they recorded two songs for a split CD with New York band The Manix (with members of The Devotchkas and The Casualties). Only 130 copies of the CD were made, and they sold out quickly. Shortly thereafter, original bass player Geoff was asked to leave the band. After trying out several bass players, it was decided that Fat Dave’s longtime friend Paul would join.
In February 1999, the band recorded five songs for their first 7", called Global Crisis, and for the Punx Unite 2 compilation on Charged Records. The 7" sold out fairly quickly, and they started getting a lot more gig offers. In May, lead guitar player Chris and the band had a falling out, with Chris leaving the band. The band continued to perform regularly all over the east coast United States as a quartet.
In September, the band added a new member, Mike Authority of local Philadelphia band, No Authority. In March 2000, the band recorded 12 songs for their first full-length CD/LP, Still Fighting For A Future, on Charged Records. After the album was recorded, singer Mike Virus left the band and Paul took over vocals. The band then recruited Tim from the Jersey band the Oi Scouts.
In June, the band left for a six-week USA tour with The Casualties, Endless Struggle, Antidote and Funeral Dress. After returning from the tour, Tim informed the band that the road life wasn’t for him, but he agreed to help out until the band replaced him. In December the band brought in Josh, who was a fan of the band. In March 2001, the band recorded four new songs for a limited picture disc 7" to be released on Charged Records. Punk Core Records bought the rights to release the picture disc from Charged Records, and released the 7" in October 2001, along with a Singles & Rarities CD .
In June 2000, the band played the Promote Chaos festival in Atlanta, Georgia alongside bands like: Anti-Nowhere League, The Crack, and Peter and the Test Tube Babies. A month later they went to to Morecambe, England to play at the Holidays In The Sun festival alongside bands like The Exploited, The Partisans, GBH, UK Subs, Resistance 77, Threats and Cock Sparrer.
Late August saw the band on a short East Coast US tour with Antidote from Holland. After the tour, the band took five months off to write and record their second 12-song CD/LP titled Nowhere To Hide on Punk Core Records. During those five months, Fat Dave left the band. In February 2002, the band recorded their second full-length album. Drew joined the band on bass, and Josh moved to guitar On February 15, the band played in Philadelphia with Slaughter & The Dogs.
After that, they were back to playing regular weekend gigs all over the American east coast. In April, the Nowhere To Hide CD & LP was released. In July, the band again played at the Holidays In The Sun festival in England. They then went on a short west coast US tour with The Riffs from Portland. Then the band played the HITS fest in Asbury Park, New Jersey in early September. A highlight of the festival for the band was having Wattie Buchan of the Exploited join the band onstage to sing The Exploited song I Believe In Anarchy. The band returned to California at the end of the year to play three concerts in Hollywood, Pomona and San Diego with the Riffs & The Voids. Shortly thereafter, however, the band split up entirely.
Day By Day
The Virus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I remember when punk was a blast
When friends stuck together and things felt new
But now I just don't know what to do
I don't want to become part of the mold
I don't want the times to change or me
Year by year - day by day
Time just seems to pass away
Bring the war back to the streets
Keep the spirit of punk in you
And in your heart remain the same
Keep the faith alive in you
Year by year - day by day
Time just seems to pass away
So afraid I've got to be strong
I just hope we can get along
Maybe tomorrow we'll have a change
Then maybe tomorrow won't be the same
Friends are the only thing you got
So keep then true and screw the lot
I don't want the times to change for me
Year by year - day by day
Time just seems to pass away
The Virus's song "Day by Day" is a reflection on the past and an apprehensive look to the future. The first stanza nostalgically looks back at the golden age of punk rock. It highlights the tightly-knit community and the sense of adventure that characterized the punk rock movement. The second verse is a reflection on the fear of aging and becoming part of the mainstream. The vocalist fears losing the punk rock spirit and being swallowed by mundane life. The chorus reflects the sense of being powerless against the inexorable force of time that makes everything pass.
The third verse offers an exhortation to keep the spirit of punk rock alive. It is a call to arms to rekindle the rawness and passion that characterized punk rock. The vocalist pleads with the listener to keep the faith alive and remain true to oneself. The chorus repeats the sentiment about the relentlessness of time in a nihilistic manner. The fourth verse is an optimistic reflection on the possibility of change. The vocalist hopes that tomorrow may bring a change for the better. The song ends with an affirmation of the value of friends, who remain the only true constant in an ever-changing world.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking back to the time that has passed
Reflecting on the past and what once was
I remember when punk was a blast
Nostalgia for the time when punk music was exciting and new
When friends stuck together and things felt new
The comradery of musical subcultures and the newness of their experiences
But now I just don't know what to do
Feeling lost and unsure about what to do next
So afraid of growing old
Fearful of aging and losing the passion and fire of youth
I don't want to become part of the mold
Refusing to conform to societal expectations and norms
I don't want the times to change or me
Resisting change and wanting to remain the same
Year by year - day by day
The passage of time and how it feels like it's slipping away
Time just seems to pass away
The fleeting nature of time and how it seems to move so quickly
Bring the war back to the streets
A call to action and rebellion against oppressive forces
Keep the spirit of punk in you
Holding on to the punk ethos and lifestyle
And in your heart remain the same
Remaining true to oneself and not changing for anyone else
Keep the faith alive in you
Holding onto hope and optimism
So afraid I've got to be strong
Feeling scared but trying to be brave
I just hope we can get along
Desiring unity and harmony amongst people
Maybe tomorrow we'll have a change
Hoping for a better future and a positive shift
Then maybe tomorrow won't be the same
The possibility that the future can be different from the present
Friends are the only thing you got
The importance of close friendships and supporting others
So keep then true and screw the lot
Staying loyal to friends and disregarding those who don't understand
I don't want the times to change for me
Resisting the changes of time and wanting to maintain a certain way of life
Lyrics © HANOVER MUSIC CORPORATION
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Grimace
I don't dress like a punk, but I refer to myself as one because of my love for the music and how much influence it has had on my life, to the point where I am homefree traveling around america
Rachel Sookiekat
That's dope, my fiance and I did the home free traveling for a year in 2016. Learned a lot about myself in that time and did things I never thought I'd do. Being a punk isn't about fashion anyway and anyone who tells you otherwise is an idiot. Some of the most punk people I know look like your average people and you'd never know otherwise unless you talked to them.
NoValues
This is probably my favorite Virus song :)
chuck ware
My favorite song off this record.
Nicolette Sanchez
Loooove this band!
sofia quiroga
love the Virus!
Lone Stranger
"Year by year - day by day
Time just seems to pass away!"
the666misfit666
Punk forever!! I wouldnt want the times to change for me either
rudy s
good band I love punk I live being one I love making the music I grew up with it. I don't give a shit if people think is a fashion statement or just a trend. people that think like and have gotten out of punk and they think there all grown up and for them it was just a face in high school well no its not like that punk to as lot people its a just a life style its what you make of it that's what punk really is. I know there's a lot fucking idiots that misunderstand punk but hey there just humans
skyler caudill
I love this fucking song!!! i just need there back patch!!!!