“The music is refined and potent. These songs will stick in your head. They will make you move. They aren't cock rock, they aren't stadium rock, they are super-garage rock, vibrant and fiery. ” (Nate Ragolia, 2012).Vices I Admire is an alternative rock band from Denver, CO. Formed in 2002 in Fort Collins, CO originally under the name Plan B. The current lineup is Dave Curtis (vocals, guitar; 2002-present), Dan Battenhouse (bass, vocals; 2009-present) and Alex Simpson (drums, vocals; 2012-present); for performances, a second-guitarist spot is filled by various musicians, the most recent being Scott Uhl (of Glass Delirium).
Original members included: Curtis, Robert Marston (bass, 2002-2007), Mickey Dollar (guitar, 2002-2012) and Mark Towne (drums, 2002-2012). Marston was replaced by Dan Battenhouse (formerly of the Fray) in 2009. Dollar and Towne left the band in 2012 and were replaced by Alex Simpson (drums) and Tavis Alley (guitar) later that same year. Alley left Vices I Admire in 2013 and the band continued on as a 3-piece.
Vices' music is an amalgam of various influences and – though, decidedly rock – nods to hip hop, folk and funk. They have been compared to Panic! At The Disco, Foo Fighters, Foxy Shazam, Candlebox, Incubus, My Chemical Romance, The Matches, Queens of the Stone Age, AFI and even Prince. Their songs are generally guitar-driven, but also feature unusually melodic bass lines and colorful drum work. However, the defining sound of Vices throughout its various lineups are the personal – often cryptic – lyrics and vocal gymnastics of front man, Curtis.
Vices released their first album, Plan B. in 2005 – they changed their name to Vices I Admire in conjunction with the release and titled the album in honor of their original name. The album draws heavily from the nu-metal scene and bands like Deftones and System of a Down. “Monster”, the first single from Plan B., is traditionally used to close Vices' sets – as such, it is one of their most well-known songs, second only to “Sweetest Girl” (from their sophomore effort, The Politics of Apathy). The second single from Plan B., “By the Way”, won $5,000 in a contest run by OurStage.com (2007), is featured on the punk-rock compilation, Dagger Sight Records Volume II, and is the backing track to NFMan Productions' short film, Wedding Day.
Their sophomore effort, The Politics of Apathy was released in 2010. The album was well-received by local press and fans alike. Though it did present a departure from their original sound; where Plan B. was raw, fast and angry, ...Politics... was oftentimes reserved and thoughtful and more refined. Songs like “Kiss Kiss” and “Keep Killin' Me” maintained the band's tendency toward the heavier end of the rock spectrum; while the dramatic, piano-and-vocals piece, “Denouement: An Intermezzo” and the heart-achingly honest indie-rocker, “It Is” showcased a more adult and mindful writing style.
"The new album, The Politics of Apathy, from Vices I Admire, is a nine-song combination of two of my very favorite things: an array of different styles when the band can do it right, and raw, in-your-face lyrics."
- Steffanie Giesler, Colorado Music Buzz (Jan 01, 2010)
"...a great mix of precise musicianship, very emotional and polished vocals, well written lyrics, and sonic colors from many places in the musical rainbow."
- James (JJ Rocks) Johnston, St Croix Music (Jan 01, 2010)
The first single from ...Politics..., “Sweetest Girl” is the band's most lauded track. In April, 2010, it won a competition from WeAreListening.org which granted the band 3 months of distribution through Tinderbox Music. The track went on to be placed in MTV's “The Real World: Las Vegas” and on the Oxygen Network's “Bad Girls Club”. It also earned top spins on many college radio charts that year and has been featured on several compilation albums.
Vices' third album, Venom & Pride marked yet another change in Vices' musical style. Preceding the departure of two of the groups' founding members, Mark Towne and Mickey Dollar, it is a darker and more stylistically intricate work.
"Vices I Admire is but a humble group of four Denverites, who are slowly pushing their way through Shit Creek with a paddle made of pure Rock. Their new EP, Venom and Pride, is a 15-minute dash over white-water rapids and razor sharp rocks. It’s fast, it’s crazy, it’s fun." - Harley Patton, Indie Music Reviewer (Mar 02, 2012)
Vices fourth album, Fables (May, 2013) was the first album recorded and produced entirely by the band.
For You All
Vices I Admire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where are you?
Look from feet to the hands that push me over, blow this body on my back, blow me on my knees
All I have is the page a paper turned my mind an inch away from wasting everyone, I bet you never thought I cared
And the rest of you all can bow before me, here's your god, holy, hell like visiting me now, here's your verve, here's your spit
And the rest of you all can walk upon me, oh where I sit I'm good at holding carpet for these wounds to return
Don't you put this on me, I've got more to show you, so far gone I can't see where the fuck I've got to go to pray
All the times that I thought a word enough (to) prove myself as a saint, and whore you my love
Pray
I've filled my hands with those I've crushed a thousand times
All alone, here I am in my head, in my dance, voice I speak like I said, I am sick I know
All in all for all I am is all I am, when all I am is all misunderstood, it's all because of me.
And the rest of you all can gaze upon me, oh here's your final form, pity me your broken toy, I'll bathe in pride and broken glass
And the rest of you all can look upon me, oh what you've built is too much for a phrase to ever hold or return
Don't you put this on me, I've got more to show you, you know one thing about me, sure that I don't know you, but I do, and I pray
Your bitterness grows, your heart breaks, no more "fuck it all"s you've found me
I pray I don't bend like a twig, or fall from wings melt sun
Busy mouths hide simple minds; have chewed my pitted seeds
Vestigial eye showed me the backs of your spiked hands
Pray
You'd better run, you'd better rise
Or I'll get some small control, and show you before we go
One more thing: I'm yours.
The song "For You All" by Vices I Admire is a heavy and intense expression of frustration, anger, and desperation. The opening lines suggest a sense of feeling unheard and unnoticed, as if the singer is trying to get through to someone but they are consistently ignored. The violent imagery continues as the singer begs for attention and recognition, even if it means being walked over or looked down upon. The repeated "pray" throughout the song can be interpreted as a plea for help or guidance in a situation that feels so out of control.
The chorus is a defiant proclamation that the rest of the world can judge and criticize the singer all they want, but ultimately they are in control of their own identity and deserve to be seen and heard. However, there is also a sense of self-doubt and fear in these lines, as if the singer is trying to convince themselves that they really do have something valuable to offer.
The song culminates in a sudden shift in tone, as the singer offers themselves up as a sacrifice to the listener. The final line, "One more thing: I'm yours," could be interpreted as a declaration of love or devotion, or it could be seen as a kind of resignation - as if the singer is giving up control entirely and surrendering their identity to someone else.
Overall, "For You All" is a complex and emotionally charged song that captures the frustration and desperation of feeling unseen and unheard in a world that can be cruel and uncaring.
Line by Line Meaning
So am I really only always and forever grating my nails against your head? Let me in.
Am I always bothering you? Can we talk about it?
Where are you?
Where have you gone?
Look from feet to the hands that push me over, blow this body on my back, blow me on my knees
Look at how you've knocked me down. I am powerless and defeated.
All I have is the page a paper turned my mind an inch away from wasting everyone, I bet you never thought I cared
All I have is writing, which is the only thing keeping me from hurting myself and others. I doubt you ever realized I cared.
So fuck it all, I'm so sick of trying, where I succeed is failing in the eyes of someone who doesn't even know.
I am tired of putting in effort because no matter what, I am always failing in the eyes of someone who doesn't understand me.
And the rest of you all can bow before me, here's your god, holy, hell like visiting me now, here's your verve, here's your spit
Everyone can submit to me, but I am not a divine being. I am just as broken and human as everyone else.
And the rest of you all can walk upon me, oh where I sit I'm good at holding carpet for these wounds to return
Others can step on me, but I am accustomed to being hurt and keeping it inside.
Don't you put this on me, I've got more to show you, so far gone I can't see where the fuck I've got to go to pray
Don't blame me, I have more to offer. I am lost and don't know where to turn for help.
All the times that I thought a word enough (to) prove myself as a saint, and whore you my love
I thought saying the right things would make me seem like a better person and make you love me more.
Pray
A call to seek help from a higher power.
I've filled my hands with those I've crushed a thousand times
I have hurt others repeatedly, and their pain feels heavy in my hands.
All alone, here I am in my head, in my dance, voice I speak like I said, I am sick I know
I am stuck in my own thoughts and emotions, and I know I am not well.
All in all for all I am is all I am, when all I am is all misunderstood, it's all because of me.
Who I am is who I am, but others don't understand me because of my own actions and choices.
And the rest of you all can gaze upon me, oh here's your final form, pity me your broken toy, I'll bathe in pride and broken glass
Others can look down on me and see me as broken, but I will still cling to my pride and self-destructive behaviors.
And the rest of you all can look upon me, oh what you've built is too much for a phrase to ever hold or return
Others can see what I have become, but it is too complex to explain simply.
Don't you put this on me, I've got more to show you, you know one thing about me, sure that I don't know you, but I do, and I pray
Don't blame me, I have more to offer. You don't know me, but I know you, and I hope for help.
Your bitterness grows, your heart breaks, no more "fuck it all"s you've found me
You are becoming more bitter and heartbroken, but you have found me despite my own struggles.
I pray I don't bend like a twig, or fall from wings melt sun
I hope I am strong enough to handle what is to come.
Busy mouths hide simple minds; have chewed my pitted seeds
People who talk a lot are not always intelligent, and their words have damaged me.
Vestigial eye showed me the backs of your spiked hands
A useless organ revealed the cruel intentions behind your seemingly innocent actions.
Pray
A renewed call for help from a higher power.
You'd better run, you'd better rise
It's time for you to leave or take action.
Or I'll get some small control, and show you before we go
I will try to gain some control and leave an impression before we part ways.
One more thing: I'm yours.
Despite everything, I still belong to you.
Contributed by Gabriel T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tim Kaminski
Nice work, fellas!! One of my fave songs, too! Love that 5.
Chris Williams
Oh nice, evertime i listen to this, i see something new, check out the drummers skills on the 1st person cam, flicks drum sticks between drumming :)
Joni Watkins
Way to go. Did you use a GoPro for the point of view shots?
Vices I Admire
@JesseWilliamGehring Can't thank you enough Mr. Gehring!
Vices I Admire
@dmbdreamer3 We showly did! That li'l GoPro is the hot hotness!
Vices I Admire
@e47films Thankya!