1980 - VR plays the first "Metal Monday" along with Metallica, Mötley Crüe, Lääz Rockit and Exodus. Metal Mondays were metal shows sponsored by the San Francisco radio station KRQR, featuring the best metal acts in the Bay Area at Bill Graham's, "The Old Waldorf", the premier club in the Bay Area at the time. "Metal Mondays" were the birth of the Bay area Metal scene.
1982 - VR appears on KMEL's "New Oasis" album, with the track, "I Can Live Forever". The lineup: Mark Tate - vocals, Geoff Thorpe - guitar, Jim Cassero - guitar, Jeff Barnacle - bass, Walt Perkins - drums
1983 - VR releases another single on "US Metal III" called, "Ultimate Death" with Mark Tate - vocals, Geoff Thorpe - guitar, Jim Cassero - guitar, Jeff Barnacle - bass, Jim Lange - drums
1984 - VR returns to "US Metal IV" with the song, "One Way Ticket". The line up: Gary St. Pierre - vocals, Geoff Thorpe - guitar, Chuck Moomey - guitar, Jeff Barnacle - bass, Don Selzer - drums. After the two "US Metal" releases, VR had built a strong Bay Area following which lead to their first recording contract - a 2 album deal with Shrapnel Records.
1986 - "Soldiers of the Night" was released. This album becomes album of the month in Holland and Germany. At this time Geoff met Gary St. Pierre in Hawaii. Gary was playing in the band Hawaii with now Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman. At this point Mike Varney offered the band a US deal. The complete line up was: Geoff Thorpe - Guitar, Vinnie Moore - Guitar, Gary St. Pierre - Vocals, Dave Starr - Bass, and Larry Howe - Drums. Vinnie left the band after recording the album due to musical differences. Dave Starr tells Geoff about his friend Mark McGee, formerly of Star Castle to audition for a guitar player and this incredible singer Carl Albert, formerly of Ruffians and Villain. We all jammed one time and wrote the song "Digital Dictator" and the rest is history. Out goes Vinnie and Gary and in comes Carl and Mark. This lineup stays together for the next 9 years.
1988 - "Digital Dictator" - VR puts out their second studio album with Shrapnel Records. The line up: Carl Albert - vocals, Geoff Thorpe - guitar, Mark McGee - guitar, Dave Starr - bass, Larry Howe - drums. This album launches the band to an International level. VR tours Europe for the first time, performing at the Aardshock Festival in Holland and the Marquee Club in England.
1990 - "Vicious Rumors" hits the market. The line up: Carl Albert - vocals, Geoff Thorpe - guitar, Mark McGee - guitar, Dave Starr - bass, Larry Howe - drums. The success and recognition from the 2 albums on Shrapnel generates interest in the band from the major labels. VR signs a deal with Atlantic Records and puts out their self-titled album. In support of this album the band tours the US and in Europe with Death Angel and Forbidden. The band was featured on the main stage at the Dynamo Open Air Festival, in Holland in front of 25,000 fans and the band's first video for the song, "Don't Wait for Me" is put on rotation on MTV's, Headbanger's Ball. After returning from Europe, the bands set out on their first full US tour for 2 months.
1991 - "Welcome to the Ball" is released, VR's 4th album and 2nd on Atlantic Records. The line up: Carl Albert - vocals, Geoff Thorpe - guitar, Mark McGee - guitar, Dave Starr - bass, Larry Howe - drums. The band goes on a 1 month European tour with Savatage. The 2nd MTV video, "Children" goes beyond the exposure normally limited to metal bands on the Headbanger's Ball and gets regular daytime air play. And to top all of this off, VR is nominated for a "Bammie Award" (from Bamm Magazine) for best new metal album. VR tours the US for 4 months, building and strengthening their fan base in the States.
1992 - "Plug In & Hang On - Live in Tokyo" - VR releases their first "live" album. The line up: Carl Albert - vocals, Geoff Thorpe - guitar, Mark McGee - guitar, Dave Starr - bass, Larry Howe - drums. VR's sold out Japanese tour is a huge success. Soon after the band returns from Tokyo, band founder and guitarist, Geoff Thorpe is diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, a tendon disorder caused from constant repetitive movement in the hands and wrists. Geoff undergoes surgery on both hands to correct this problem. This procedure at that time was not always 100% effective and took him out of action for 9 months, the recovery period order by his doctors. In the traditional VR spirit, the band decides to put things on hold and to wait through Geoff's recovery/healing period to see if the surgery was successful. Although the band had decided to wait, Atlantic Records did not and decided to drop the band from the label. With time on his hands during his recovery period and without a record contract, Geoff decides it's time to take things into his own hands once again. Geoff starts GTM Management and gets the band new recording deals with Rising Sun Records in Germany and Alfa Music in Japan.
1993 - Geoff's hand surgery turns out to be a success and he is able to play again. Toward the end of that year, as pre-production began for their upcoming release, "Word of Mouth", VR headlines their own US tour without the benefit of a record deal in that territory. Shortly after, the band parts ways with long time bassist Dave Starr. Carl Albert suggests his long time friend and former band mate in Villain, Tommy Sisco, to fill the slot on bass. This new line-up was a success and went on to make more VR history for a number of years.
1994 - "Word of Mouth" their sixth album, is released. The lineup: Carl Albert - vocals, Geoff Thorpe - guitars, Mark McGee - guitars & co-vocals, Tommy Sisco - bass, Larry Howe - drums. This album generated immediate attention and put the band back on the road. In Europe, VR is back to perform at the "Dynamo Festival" in Holland once again, then joins up with Accept for more festival dates. After the completion of that tour, VR is called back for a second European tour, this time with, Metal Church, Killers, and Zodiac Mindwarp. At the request of Rising Sun Records, VR is asked to go into the studio and record two bonus tracks to be put on a special re-released version of this album. The bonus tracks were recorded in, Hanover, Germany, engineered by Steve Mann, (from Michael Schenker Group & Sweet) with a special appearance by Paul Quinn, (from Saxon) lending his assistance on the backing vocals for, "Communication Breakdown". Since this request was completely unexpected, the band had no material prepared and the recording would have to start the next day during their only days off for the remainder of the tour. Cover songs were their only option - but which ones? The band decided to go back to the roots of rock and chose two songs from the British Invasion era. The result - "Communication Breakdown" (Led Zeppelin) and "Paint It Black" (Rolling Stones) learned, recorded and mixed in 1 day! "Word of Mouth" became Alfa Music's biggest seller that year.
This year was extremely productive for VR, putting them back in the eye of the public and the media. The success of this album and it's US and 2 European tours had generated tremendous acclaim, recognition and endless rave reviews - the VR Ball was rolling once again!!
1995 - Mark McGee left the band in order to pursue change in musical direction and solo career. Geoff, Carl, Tommy and Larry began writing for the next album. For some time, the band had been considering a change in musical direction to a harder, more aggressive sound, especially Carl, and Something Burning was his opportunity to make it a reality. A lot of people are not aware that Carl and the band worked together on this sound. In fact, Carl made his biggest writing contribution of his career with VR on this album, co-writing most of the songs on it - unfortunately, Carl never got to see his dream through. Steve Smyth, a highly regarded local guitarist and friend of the band's, was the first guitarist they worked with following Mark's departure. He filled in for Mark during the writing process with Carl and the rest of the members.
April 22, 1995 - Carl "Ace" "The Voice" Albert one of the greatest and most talented singers in rock 'n roll history passed away. (click here for more details)
Even though still grieving over their loss, an important decision had to be made - What would the future be for VR? With over half of the material for the next release already written, much of it by Carl, the band felt they had no choice but to go on in Carl's memory and release his last works - and they knew, without a doubt, that Carl would have wanted and expected nothing less. By this time a rapport had been established between Steve and the band, not to mention being highly impressed with his playing, talent and vast musical knowledge - he was the obvious choice to fill Mark's spot.
1995 - "Tribute to Carl Albert - European Bootleg", a special limited edition CD was released. The lineup: Carl Albert - vocals, Geoff Thorpe - guitars, Mark McGee - guitars & co-vocals, Tommy Sisco - bass, Larry Howe - drums. While in the process of writing and releasing "Something Burning", which would include Carl's last and never heard works, the band still felt that this was not enough. During Carl's last tour in Europe for "Word of Mouth", the band had recorded every show on a portable DAT machine with two room microphones over the sound board, specifically for their own reviewing purposes after the tour. They reviewed this footage and decided it should be released in memory of him and his final performances. And "live" it was! Recorded with no studio editing, no over-dubs - just as if you were there at the show and had the DAT recorder hanging from your belt.
1996 - "Something Burning" is released.
The line-up: Geoff Thorpe - guitars/vocals, Larry Howe - drums, Tommy Sisco - bass, Steve Smyth - guitars. After months of auditioning very talented and worthy singers, none of them felt right to the band - something was missing. To the band the only time it ever felt right was during their writing sessions with Geoff filling in the vocals. At this point the band decided to go as a four piece, with Geoff on vocals. As a result, "Something Burning" reached #4 in Germany's #1 rock magazine, "Rock Hard". The band was chosen for the cover story over Ozzy in the February 96 edition of "Heavy Oder Was" magazine. Exactly one year to the day of Carl's tragic death, the band left for a six week tour through all of Europe with Accept on their final, farewell tour, as well as supporting artists such as, Rainbow, Thin Lizzy, and Blue Öyster Cult at home in the States.
1997- After a year of their grieving was over, the band felt ready and wanted to be able to incorporate their original sound into their future live sets and new album. Enter Brian O'Connor on vocals.
1998 - "CyberChrist" is released.
The line-up: Brian O'Conner - vocals, Geoff Thorpe - guitars, co-vocals, Steve Smyth - guitar, Tommy Sisco - bass, Larry Howe - drums. The 9th VR album, VR returns with a more tradition sound and is invited to go on tour with Blind Guardian, a top ten band in Europe. This was the largest attendance tour VR had been on to date. The band received excellent live reviews in all major media throughout Europe.
2001 - "Sadistic Symphony" is released.
The line-up: Morgan Thorn - vocals, Geoff Thorpe - guitars, co-vocals, Ira Black - guitar, Cornbread - bass, Atma Anur - Drums.
The 10th VR album. Mastermind Geoff Thorpe regroups forces and is joined by a brand new lineup featuring the soaring vocals of Morgan Thorn, the electric magic of Ira Black and the Bass bombardments of Cornbread, not forgetting the skins expertise of drummer extraordinaire Atma Anur. Sadistic Symphony received impressive reviews before it's release date and will prove to be a Hallmark album for Vicious Rumors. Brian O'Connor rejoins forces with VR for the live portion of Sadistic Symphony
2005 - "VR Crushing the World" is released.
Vicious Rumors releases it's first DVD: VR Crushing the World and announces the return of drummer extraordinaire Larry Howe to the fold as well as bassist Dave Starr. Adding to this legendary line-up are James Rivera on vocals and Brad Gillis on guitars.
2006 - "Warball" is released.
The line-up: James Rivera - vocals, Geoff Thorpe - guitars, co-vocals, Brad Gillis - guitar, Dave Starr - bass, Larry Howe - Drums.
The 11th VR album. Geoff and the core rythm section of the classic VR lineup regroups with the expertise of James Rivera on vocals and the mastership of Brad Gillis on guitars, concocting a release that bring back all the elements that made Vicious Rumors the highly regarded name it has maintained through the years. Supporting the release of Warball follows a tour in Europe and tentative plans for further touring in Japan and the US.
2011 - "Razorback Killers" is released.
The line-up: Brian Allen - vocals, Geoff Thorpe - guitars, co-vocals, Kiyoshi Morgan - guitar, Stephen Goodwin - bass, Larry Howe - Drums. VR takes on Europe following the release of Razorback Killers for a trek across Europe including several major events like the Rock Hard Festival, Keep it true Festival. VR releases a video for Murderball to rave reviews across the world.
2012 - "Live You to Death" is released.
The line-up: Brian Allen - vocals, Geoff Thorpe - guitars, co-vocals, Thaen Rasmussen - guitar, Stephen Goodwin - bass, Larry Howe - Drums.
2013 - "Electric Punishment" is released.
The line-up: Brian Allen - vocals, Geoff Thorpe - guitars, co-vocals, Thaen Rasmussen - guitar, Stephen Goodwin - bass, Larry Howe - Drums.
2014 - "Live You to Death 2 - American Punishment " is released.
The line-up: Nick Holleman - vocals, Geoff Thorpe - guitars, co-vocals, Bob Capka - guitar, Tilen Hudrap - bass, Larry Howe - Drums.
2. A British Oi! / Punk band active from 1979 to 1988 and who released 2 albums on Roddy Moreno's "Oi! Records" and participated in several Oi! compilations.
Long way home
Vicious Rumors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you never stop moving
I cant remember where I was yesterday
Im on the long way home, the long way home
Im by myself but Im never alone
Today Im so far away
All roads take me back to you
Im on the long way, following the sun
I make my own way, I answer to noone
Tearing it up on the open road
No matter the path I choose
Seasons come and go
Time remains the same
Someday time will fade away
Im on the long way home, the long way home
Im by myself but Im never alone
Im on the long way, following the sun
I make my own way, I answer to noone
Im on the long way home, the long way home
I make my own way, I answer to noone
The lyrics of "Long Way Home" by Vicious Rumors touch upon themes of movement, independence, and the passage of time. The opening lines, "How can time stand still when you never stop moving, I can't remember where I was yesterday," highlight the fast-paced nature of life and the difficulty in keeping a steady sense of time when constantly on the move. It suggests that the singer is constantly on the go, leaving behind the past and focusing on the present and future.
The repetition of the phrase "Long way home" throughout the song signifies the singer's journey and the distance they have to cover to return home. Despite being alone physically, they emphasize that they are never truly alone, possibly alluding to the idea of finding solace or companionship within oneself or through the experiences gained while traveling.
The line "Today I'm so far away, night and day become the same" suggests a feeling of detachment from reality, where the passage of time loses its significance. It conveys the idea that the singer's constant movement and independence have blurred the boundaries between different periods or moments. Additionally, the statement "All roads take me back to you" indicates a longing for a specific person or place, emphasizing the strong emotional connection they have even while being on the move.
The lyrics also emphasize the singer's self-reliance and determination to forge their own path. The lines "I make my own way, I answer to no one" reflect a sense of independence and autonomy, suggesting that the singer is not bound by limitations or expectations imposed by others. They are willing to tear it up on the open road, regardless of the chosen path, embracing the freedom and unpredictability that comes with it.
The reference to seasons changing, while time remains the same, alludes to the cyclical nature of life. It suggests that while external circumstances may shift and change, the passing of time remains constant and inevitable. The lyric "someday time will fade away" subtly hints at mortality and the fleeting nature of existence, perhaps underscoring the importance of making the most of the present moment and the personal journey the singer is on.
Overall, "Long Way Home" expresses a sense of adventure, self-discovery, and independence. The lyrics depict a narrator who is constantly moving, embracing the open road, and finding solace in their own company as they journey toward an emotional connection or a place called home. It highlights the introspective and transformative nature of travel and the resilience of the human spirit in navigating life's uncertainties.
Line by Line Meaning
How can time stand still
Time cannot stop or remain still
When you never stop moving
As long as you keep moving, time does not stand still
I cant remember where I was yesterday
I have no recollection of my previous location
Im on the long way home, the long way home
I am taking a detour or a lengthy route back to my place of belonging
Im by myself but Im never alone
Although I am physically alone, I always have a sense of companionship or support
Today Im so far away
Presently, I feel distant or separated from my desired destination
Night and day become the same
The distinction between night and day becomes blurred or insignificant
All roads take me back to you
Every path I take ultimately leads me back to you
Im on the long way, following the sun
I am taking an extended journey, pursuing warmth or positivity
I make my own way, I answer to noone
I independently choose my own path and take responsibility for my actions
Tearing it up on the open road
I am exhilaratingly driving or progressing rapidly on the unrestricted pathway
No matter the path I choose
Regardless of the route I select
Seasons come and go
The different seasons alternate cyclically
Time remains the same
Nevertheless, time remains constant or unchanging
Someday time will fade away
Eventually, time will diminish or cease to exist
I make my own way, I answer to noone
I forge my own path and do not yield to the authority or influence of others
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Geoff Thorpe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind