Valencia met by playing local shows together around the tri-state area in separate bands. George Ciukurescu and JD Perry grew up together; attending elementary school, high school, and their first year of college. They joined a band in 2001 called The Capgun Heroes with Brendan Walter and former member Sean Mundy. Shane Henderson sang in the band Attracted to Miss and Max played drums in The Emphasis. They formed the band that is known today as Valencia in 2004. The band is named after the wife of the protagonist, Valencia, in the book by Kurt Vonnegut, Slaughter House 5.
In 2005 Valencia signed to I Surrender Records after the label's owner, Midtown's drummer Rob Hitt, heard their demo tape. After playing the Warped Tour in 2005, they released their first album, This Could Be A Possibility, in October 2005, which was re-released in September 2006.
In 2006, the band was named SPIN Band of the Day and was a finalist for Band of the Year, but lost to Nightmare of You. In May 2006, the band stopped touring because of the death of Shane's girlfriend in a freak lawn mower accident. In July 2006, Valencia traveled to Japan to play the Fuji Rock Festival.
In 2007 the band toured with Boys Like Girls, The Audition and All Time Low in the U.S. Valencia also toured with We the Kings, The Cab, Charlotte Sometimes, and Sing it Loud in April 2008.
In 2009 Valencia performed at the Soundwave festival with New Found Glory, Say Anything and Billy Talent. The band opened for blink-182 in June 2009 on their summer reunion tour.
Valencia's second album, We All Need a Reason to Believe was released on August 26, 2008, featuring 11 new tracks. The album leaked in its entirety on August 16, 2008. On August 19, 2008 it was made available as a full stream on the band's Myspace page. "Safe To Say" is on the soundtrack for MLB 09 The Show. Valencia spent summer 2009 touring with Every Avenue.
Band member Brendan Walter was one of 32 sued by the RIAA in its first round file-sharing suits. During an interview on WCUR's Foundation Radio on December 9, 2010, host Adam Barnard asked about the circumstances surrounding this incident. Walter stated that he had been chosen at random due to the fact that he had illegally downloaded music by American rock band Smash Mouth.
Valencia's third album, "Dancing With A Ghost" was released October 12, 2010. After a long break from touring, the band went back on tour for their new album in October of 2010. The tour includes a few shows of headlining along with shows with bands like Say Anything, Saves the Day and Motion City Soundtrack. The band's tour will also make it all the way to Australia.
In October of 2011, Shane Henderson released a statement regarding the band's decision to go on an indefinite hiatus after 2011. Following a farewell tour in Japan, the band played a final show on December 28th at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia, PA to a sold-out crowd.
Listen Up
Valencia Lyrics
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And asked me what I'm doing here, whoa
From the look in her eyes I knew it was clear, whoa
That I was gonna be in for the ride of my life
I'd better hold on if I want to survive because, oh
This could take the best of me
So listen up, listen up, so we both know
I didn't want it to end up like this
But I don't wait, I always just let it go
You know I won't forget the way that you looked that night
When I tried to understand
Why those sunglasses always hide your eyes
But don't worry girl 'cause you're never alone
I'll be with you 'til that morning comes
But then oh, this will take the best of me
So listen up, listen up, so we both know
The seconds pass while you're gone, time moves so slow
I didn't want it to end up like this
But I don't wait, I always just let it go
So listen up, listen up, so we both know
The seconds pass while you're gone, time moves so slow
I didn't want it to end up like this
But I don't wait, I always just let it go, just let it go
I swore I'd never come back to this place now
Unless you're ready for me to leave again
I swore I'd never step foot inside this house
Unless you're ready for me to stay around
I swore I'd never come back to this place now
Unless you're ready for me to leave again
I swore I'd never step foot inside this house
Unless you're ready for me to stay around
So listen up, listen up, so we both know
The seconds pass while you're gone, time moves so slow
I didn't want it to end up like this
But I don't wait, I always just let it go
So listen up, listen up, so we both know
The seconds pass while you're gone, time moves so slow
I didn't want it to end up like this
But I don't wait, I always just let it go
Oh, this could take the best of me
In Valencia's song "Listen Up," the singer is faced with a challenge as she feels out of place and is being questioned by someone. She is aware that she is in for an intense ride and must hold on if she wants to survive because it could take the best of her. However, the singer assures herself that she will be there for the ride no matter what happens. The lyrics "listen up" indicate a sense of urgency and the need for the listener to pay close attention to what is being said. The singer doesn't want to waste any time waiting and always lets go, implying that she thinks it's better to move on from things that don't work out.
The lyrics continue to reflect on a particular moment where the singer is trying to understand why the person she is with is always wearing sunglasses that hide their eyes. This moment may be significant to the singer for a reason that isn't overtly stated in the lyrics. The final words of the song suggest that the singer has been in this place before and never intends to return, except under certain circumstances.
Overall, "Listen Up" seems to be a song about a person who is ready for a new and exciting opportunity. The singer is aware that this opportunity may come with challenges, but she is willing to take them on. She doesn't hold onto things that don't work out and is focused on moving forward.
Line by Line Meaning
She said I'm out of place
Someone told me that I'm not where I belong
And asked me what I'm doing here, whoa
They questioned why I'm here in a surprised tone
From the look in her eyes I knew it was clear, whoa
I could tell from her expression that she didn't think I belonged
That I was gonna be in for the ride of my life
I knew I was about to go on a wild and possibly dangerous adventure
I'd better hold on if I want to survive because, oh
If I want to make it through, I'll need to brace myself
This could take the best of me
This situation has the potential to exhaust or defeat me
So listen up, listen up, so we both know
Pay attention to what I'm about to say so we can both understand
The seconds pass while you're gone, time moves so slow
Time seems to drag when you're not around
I didn't want it to end up like this
I had hoped for a better outcome
But I don't wait, I always just let it go
I don't like to dwell on things, I prefer to move on quickly
You know I won't forget the way that you looked that night
I'll always remember how you appeared on that particular evening
When I tried to understand
I made an effort to comprehend the situation
Why those sunglasses always hide your eyes
I wondered why you always cover your eyes with shades
But don't worry girl 'cause you're never alone
Regardless of anything else, you can always count on me to be there for you
I'll be with you 'til that morning comes
I'll stay by your side until the morning arrives
But then oh, this will take the best of me
Eventually, this situation will wear me down or defeat me
I swore I'd never come back to this place now
I vowed to never return to this location
Unless you're ready for me to leave again
Unless you're truly prepared for me to depart once more
Unless you're ready for me to stay around
If you're willing to let me stick around for a while
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRENDAN WALTER, GEORGE CIUKURESCU, JONATHAN PERRY, MAX SORIA, SHANE HENDERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind