(guitars) and Steven (vocals). As soon as they started going to hardcore shows, they had the dream of being in a band of their own. After some
line-up changes things stabilised when Ken (drums) and Roeland (bass) joined the ranks.
In December '96 they got to play their first show as support for the infamous Sick Of It All.. At that point the ball started rolling : Thumbs
Down began playing shows almost every week-end. A live demo-tape of dubious quality became a much sought after item.
Soon after that the boys started to fine-tune their songs and after playing a crazy show at the '97 Vort 'n Vis-festival, they headed for the studio. In
one week-end they recorded 12 songs at 'Studio 195' under guidance of Patrick Delabie. At the end of '97 'Genet Records' released the 9-song 7" /
mcd called 'Going For Gold'. This recording made sure Thumbs Down's name was well know across Europe, hence more shows followed.
In the first months of '98 Thumbs Down played with bands as Ensign, Ten Yard Fight, One King Down, Hands Tied and a lot more. A tour of The Netherlands,
Belgium and Germany followed with the Finnish band Endstand. This tour ended at the Geleen-festival, where both bands played incredible shows. In April
'98 the band had enough material to record a full-length.
Once again they went to 'Studio 195' where they recorded 20 songs over a two-week period. Things then slowed down until the '98 Vort 'n Vis-festival,
where the release-party of 'Crossroads' was held. More than a thousand kids from all across Europe were dancing and singing along, making it one of the
most unforgettable Thumbs Down shows ever.
With the release of 'Crossroads' Thumbs Down proved they could mix intelligent song-writing with their trademark catchiness. The 16 songs on
this recording display a wide range of possibilities within the hardcore-genre. Rave reviews, a small tour of Spain and more insane shows
followed during 1999.
This same year Thumbs Down signed a new record deal with I Scream Records and recorded their new record "Reality Check" at Andre Gielen's Hautregard
studio.
Now in the year 2000 it is with great pleasure that I Scream Records is releasing the new Thumbs Down recorded with great old school hardcore songs,
Steven's voice also and a much more mature sound "Reality Check" holds all the ingredients for a great hardcore record.
Bloom
Thumbs Down Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lyrics to "Bloom" by Thumbs Down describe the journey of a man who used to live life in extremes and has now come to the realization that things are not always what they appear to be. Through growing up, he has learned to put things in perspective and accept the natural ebb and flow of life. The metaphor of a flower wilting and a flame dying is used to represent the transience of life, and how we all eventually become deaf, dumb, and blind to the world around us.
The singer wishes he could call himself mature, but acknowledges that dealing with life's cruelties has left him feeling insecure. It's difficult to hold on and be strong when everyone around you seems to be moving on. The singer recognizes that life is a game of give and take, and that one's heart may inevitably be broken at some point. However, if he could, he would tell you what is right and wrong, and reassure you that everything is not always so black and white.
Line by Line Meaning
Used to be a man of extremes
I used to be a person who would go to the extremes in everything I would do.
figured out things aren't always what they seem to be
I have realized that not everything is as it appears to be.
it was time to live time to give
I realized that it was time for me to start living my life and giving back to others.
growing up forced me to put things in perspective
As I grew older, I was forced to look at things from a different perspective.
just like a flower withers and a flame dies
Just like how a flower eventually dies and a flame eventually goes out, everything in life has an end.
we all go deaf dumb and blind
Regardless of who we are or what we do, we all eventually lose some of our senses and abilities as we age.
wish I could call myself mature but dealing with life's cruelties left me insecure
Although I wish I could say that I am mature, the difficult experiences I have faced in life have left me feeling insecure and unsure of myself.
it's hard to hold on to be strong when everyone around you starts to move on
When everyone around you is moving on and leaving you behind, it can be difficult to stay strong and hold on to what you have.
if only I could tell you it's a game of give and take
If only I could explain to you that life is a give and take - you cannot take without giving back.
if only I could tell you your heart will never break
If only I could reassure you that your heart will never truly break, even though it may feel like it at times.
if only I could tell you what is wrong and what is right
If only I could help you understand what is right and wrong in life.
if only I could tell you everything is black and white
If only I could explain to you that everything in life is not always black and white - there are a lot of grey areas.
Contributed by Stella C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.