Like some unholy cross between NOFX and Tom Petty, TIED FOR LAST is a classic punk rock band, complete with energy, attitude, hooks and humor.
Hailing from just north of New York City, Steve, Tommy, Jen and Andrew combine to make an infectious noise that mixes classic punk rock urgency with elements of pop, garage, rockabilly, surf, and at times, even country and metal. This wide palate stems from the fact that all four band members are songwriters and music fans with voracious appetites for music from all different styles and eras.
In 2007 the quartet released its first full-length studio disc, the self- produced gem, KICKASS YES-MAN CORPORATE HACKS (available through interpunk.com, and I-Tunes among other sources). The album, which includes a number of TIED FOR LAST original songs along with a hidden live cover tune, displays many of the group’s strengths. The songs show a band young enough to not take life - or themselves - too seriously, though mature enough to write well-structured, catchy tunes that leave the listener humming the choruses long after the CD is complete.
TIED FOR LAST has promoted the disc by playing many out-of-state shows up and down the East Coast in 2007 and 2008 (NY, NJ, CT, PA, DC, KY, VA, TN). The group has been cultivating its local fan base as well, by regularly performing in New York City and its surrounding counties.
They've also been featured on the bill at festivals including AIIRAIDO.NET's Aiirtoberfest (2007), M.E.A.N.Y.Fest (2006), and the internationally-renowned LebowskiFest (2005). That last performance then led to the inclusion of the TFL song "Achiever" in the documentary film "Over the Line - an Achiever Story" (directed by Eddie Chung, 2007). And in the summer of 2008, TFL had a punk dream come true when they got the chance to open a show for punk legends AGENT ORANGE.
Founded by Steve Scollard and Tommy D'Angelo in the early 2000s, TFL rose to prominence on NYC’s live downtown music scene shortly thereafter. The boys (and girl) have performed on a number of legendary stages, playing many shows at the punk meccas CBGB and The Continental - including farewell shows at each venue during each respective club's last week in the live music business.
The band released its first CD, SORTA LIVE, in 2004. The acclaimed, live-in-the-studio demo has sold out of its three pressings, and is now available on most major commercial download sites (including I-Tunes). Between SORTA LIVE and KICKASS YES-MAN CORPORATE HACKS, the group released a few limited-edition singles along with IS THIS YOUR HOMEWORK, LARRY?, a sampler made and distributed to coincide with the band's performance at LebowskiFest NY in 2005.
In the last year, TIED FOR LAST has released two CD singles, both from the upcoming (untitled) 2009 studio release. The band’s music has been racking up airplay on various commercial, independent, and college radio stations across the US and Canada. Internationally, TFL has had its music played regularly on internet-based radio shows originating from the US, Australia, Canada, and the UK. November 11, 2007 even saw an entire four-hour broadcast dedicated to the band on CANADIANMUSICROCKS.COM
TFL’s media and internet presence has also been growing rapidly as well. The band has been interviewed in local media as well as being a featured artist on various punk- and music-related webzines. They recently played an instore at Hot Topic signing autographs and hanging with their fans.
We're Alright
Tied For Last Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know it hasn't called in years - oh
Nothing is happening
And we're all getting bored to tears - oh
And so you ask me how
We'll get along
You ask me what there's left to do
We're alright
We're alright
We're alright
Threw out my radio
We'd disagreed for far too long - oh
You know it had to go
When news sounds better than the songs - oh
But then I turned around
Saw my guitar
Dusted it off and knew that
We'd be okay 'cause
We're alright
We're alright
We're alright
You say that stuff is dead
That no one's got the time no more - oh
I can't subscribe to that
There'd be nothing worth playing for - oh
And so you try to say that
It couldn't work
But we'll come back tomorrow
Bigger than you 'cause
We're alright
We're alright
We're alright
We're alright
We're alright
In Tied For Last's song "We're Alright," the singer starts off by saying "London isn't burning, you know it hasn't called in years - oh." This line refers to the absence of a major news story or disaster happening. The singer then expresses their boredom, saying "nothing is happening, and we're all getting bored to tears - oh." However, they reassure the listener that they will be okay by saying "we're alright" three times in the chorus.
The second verse tells us that the singer threw out their radio because they disagreed with what they were hearing. The news sounded better than the songs, which is likely referencing how negative and overwhelming the news can be. The good news is that the singer then sees their guitar and remembers that they can still make music. They knew they would be okay because "we're alright" and they repeat this line in the chorus.
The final verse is a response to someone who says that music is dead and no one has time for it anymore. The singer disagrees, saying "there'd be nothing worth playing for." They then assert that they will be bigger than whoever said that because "we're alright" and they repeat this line in the chorus one last time.
Line by Line Meaning
Well London isn't burning
There is no chaos or unrest in the city of London currently.
You know it hasn't called in years - oh
There hasn't been a major incident in London in a long time.
Nothing is happening
There is nothing noteworthy or exciting happening currently in general.
And we're all getting bored to tears - oh
The lack of excitement is causing people to become bored and disinterested.
And so you ask me how
You're asking me how we will manage or cope.
We'll get along
We will survive or manage despite the boredom and lack of excitement.
You ask me what there's left to do
You're inquiring about what options or activities are still available.
And I say that
I respond by saying that
We're alright
We're doing okay or we'll be fine.
We're alright
We're doing okay or we'll be fine.
We're alright
We're doing okay or we'll be fine.
Threw out my radio
I got rid of my radio.
We'd disagreed for far too long - oh
I disagreed with the music being played on the radio for a long time.
You know it had to go
It was necessary for me to get rid of it.
When news sounds better than the songs - oh
The news on the radio was more interesting than the music being played.
But then I turned around
But then I changed my mind.
Saw my guitar
I saw my guitar that I hadn't played in a while.
Dusted it off and knew that
I cleaned it and suddenly realized that
We'd be okay 'cause
We'll be fine because
We're alright
We're doing okay or we'll be fine.
We're alright
We're doing okay or we'll be fine.
We're alright
We're doing okay or we'll be fine.
You say that stuff is dead
You claim that certain things are no longer relevant or exciting.
That no one's got the time no more - oh
People don't have the time or interest anymore.
I can't subscribe to that
I don't agree or support that claim.
There'd be nothing worth playing for - oh
If that were true, then there would be nothing worth playing or doing.
And so you try to say that
You're trying to argue or convince me that
It couldn't work
Something I suggested or implied wouldn't be successful or effective.
But we'll come back tomorrow
Despite your doubts, we will try again tomorrow.
Bigger than you 'cause
We'll be more successful or impressive than you because
We're alright
We're doing okay or we'll be fine.
We're alright
We're doing okay or we'll be fine.
We're alright
We're doing okay or we'll be fine.
We're alright
We're doing okay or we'll be fine.
Contributed by Anna B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.