(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.
Martyr
Thumbs Down Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lyrics to Thumbs Down's song Martyr express the anger and frustration of the singer with someone who has turned something they love into a joke. The singer won't be a martyr or pawn in this person's game and won't stand for everything they once stood for becoming a travesty. The singer also can't understand why this person has an urge to crucify others and label things as heresy, when they used to have an open mind. The singer ultimately takes a stand and won't let this person crucify them.
The lyrics show a sense of disappointment in someone who has let the singer down and turned something they loved into a joke. The singer feels like they need to speak up and tell this person what they think, even if it means screaming and shouting. The use of the word "crusade" and "heresy" suggests a strong religious connotation, perhaps implying that the person has turned something sacred into something trivial.
Overall, the lyrics to Martyr show a sense of defiance and strength in the face of betrayal and disappointment. The singer refuses to be a victim and won't let this person's actions control them.
Line by Line Meaning
Silence might be golden but I'm gonna scream and shout
I won't remain quiet and instead voice my opinions loudly
this is my chance to tell you what I think it's all about
I will take this opportunity to express my thoughts and feelings to you
you took the one thing which I truly love and turned it into a fucking joke
You disrespected and ridiculed something that is very important to me
I won't be the martyr of your crusade
I refuse to be a victim of your obsessive and reckless pursuit of something
I won't be a pawn in your petty game
I won't let you manipulate me for your own personal benefit
everything we once stood for has become a travesty
All the things we believed in and fought for have turned into something shameful and absurd
all the things that you don't like you lanel as heresy
You label anything that you don't agree with as blasphemy or sacrilege
can't understand your urge to crucify
I can't comprehend why you have such a strong desire to punish and condemn
you used to have such an open mind
You used to be receptive to new ideas and perspectives
no I won't I make sure to cast the first stone
I refuse to be passive and will instead be the first to point out your faults
I sure hope to bruise your ego
I want to impact your pride and self-esteem by speaking my mind
your empire will crumble piece by piece
Your power and influence will slowly diminish until it falls apart completely
no you won't see my tears
I won't let you see me weaken or cry
I won't be your martyr you won't crucify me
I won't allow myself to be a victim or sacrifice for you, and you won't punish me severely
Contributed by Sadie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.