The band hit the scene in New York City in 1987. Coming of age during the presidency of the first George Bush, many of its songs were politically based, from the prescient "In Conclusion" to the call to arms, "Children of the Winter."
The term "Acid Punk" was coined by Clarke to explain the hard driving trippy sound that was Warrior Soul, particularly the Space Age Playboys album, mixed by Ben Gross. The style once again predicted what was going to break on the American and International rock music scene with the success of Green Day and The Offspring.
The critical acclaim that accompanied the band translated to record sales in Europe but there was not enough push or touring to break in the USA. Despite recognition by peers, including Lars Ulrich from Metallica, who had been quoted as saying Space Age Playboys was his favorite album, Warrior Soul disbanded in 1995.
In 1996, Odds & Ends was released as a posthumous collection of demos and left material that were to be part of a major label record (Electra, Nancy Jeffries) that got squashed by Peter Mench at Q-Prime management. Clarke took 2 years off after disbanding "The Playboys" and moved back to New York and wrote and released on "Cargo Records" his spoken word solo album "Opium Hotel" 2004. Soon after Clarke was tapped to be the lead singer of Dirty Rig and coproduced their album for "Escapi Records" in 2006. All the Warrior Soul albums were re released in 2006 and the latest is called "Destroy The War Machine" due to be out March 2010. Mark Evans, the band's drummer for three of their albums, was murdered in London, UK in 2005.
Following the re-release of the band's first five albums on in 2006, Clarke reformed Warrior Soul for a UK tour in March 2007, using long time musician friends from England and Sweden. Work has begun on a new Warrior Soul album and a live album taken from the band's October UK tour. (This was released in mid 2007) Clarke has since been announced as the new lead singer of Trouble as of May 2, 2008, according to Trouble's website.
The band released a limited edition studio album titled Chinese Democracy in October 2008, just a month before the Guns N' Roses album of the same name was due for release. The band shortly re-named the album Destroy the War Machine and began to print more copies.
In 2008, the band played the second incarnation of Hard Rock Hell, in North Wales, with the large room over capacity when the band play, rendering the opposing Hawkwind show on the next stage virtually unattended. Kerrang! magazine reviewed the show as KKKKK (5 Ks)[citation needed]
In December 2008, also saw the band return to large indoor stages, with shows at the Shepherds Bush Empire, London, and the Academy Glasgow.
In 2009, the band's re-issues of the classic Warrior Soul work on vinyl, and a European tour to support the release of Destroy the War Machine.
2010 saw singer Kory Clarke living in Berlin, Germany, and performing his new rock cabaret "Kory On The Rocks" with local backing band Stashbox.
Warrior Soul will be on tour in Europe in September 2011.
In Dec 2021, Warrior Soul featuring frontman Kory Clarke unleashed their first single “We’re Alive” from their upcoming studio album Out On Bail, which will be available via Livewire/Cargo during the first quarter of 2022.
Let Me Go
Warrior Soul Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't want to hurt ya but I got the noose
The painting is running, Picasso is dead
Your Pollack is dry now
While expression turns red
Let me go
We're workin' chill pill
It's just what we do
Got no time for jerkin'
I got no time to chat
Pay ya back in full when I'm breakin' the bank
Comin' to ya hard like you know I would
Challenging the mind
I think we're understood
Psychedelic music for the New York age
This time brother
Hear what I got to say
Let me go
The lyrics to the song "Let Me Go" by Warrior Soul may seem confusing at first, but with a deeper analysis, they reveal a message about the struggles of artistic expression and the pressures that come with it. In the first verse, the singer introduces themselves as gentle and cute, but despite not wanting to hurt anyone, they feel trapped by the "noose" of creative constraints. The use of the metaphorical noose suggests the burden of expectations placed on artists, which can sometimes be suffocating.
The second line of the verse references artists Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollock, both of whom were known for their revolutionary styles of art. The singer suggests that, like the paint in a Pollock piece, their expression is also drying up. It seems as though the singer is unable to access their creative energy, possibly due to outside pressures or personal inner struggles. The last line of the verse, "While expression turns red," may suggest frustration and anxiety over the inability to fully express themselves.
The chorus, "Let me go," serves as a plea or a demand to be released from these creative constraints. The singer is asking for the freedom to create without judgment or limitations. In the second verse, the singer introduces the "Lords of expression," who may represent those who exert control over what is considered acceptable in the art world. The singer dismisses their authority and introduces the idea of "psychedelic music for the New York age," which may be a reference to their desire to bring something new and exciting to the world of art.
Overall, the lyrics of "Let Me Go" address the difficulty of being an artist and the need for artistic freedom. It speaks to the pressure of conforming to expectations and the desire to break free from them. The song is a call to embrace true creativity and to not be bound by the opinions and influences of others.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm so gentle, gentle and cute
I am not a violent person by nature.
Don't want to hurt ya but I got the noose
I have power over you and could hurt you, but I don't necessarily want to.
The painting is running, Picasso is dead
The art world is changing, and old styles are no longer relevant.
Your Pollack is dry now
Your attempt at creating something new is over and unsuccessful.
While expression turns red
People become passionate when discussing or creating art.
Let me go
I want to be freed from whatever is holding me back or causing me stress.
Lords of expression comin' after you
Those who value free expression will challenge and oppose you if you attempt to suppress it.
We're workin' chill pill
We understand the importance of staying calm and focused, even in difficult situations.
It's just what we do
This is our lifestyle and how we operate in the world.
Got no time for jerkin'
We do not waste time on frivolous or meaningless activities.
I got no time to chat
I am busy and do not have time for idle conversation.
Pay ya back in full when I'm breakin' the bank
I will repay any debts owed once I am successful and making a lot of money.
Comin' to ya hard like you know I would
I am not holding back and am coming at you aggressively.
Challenging the mind
I am questioning and pushing people's beliefs and perceptions.
I think we're understood
I believe that I have communicated my message effectively and that people are comprehending it.
Psychedelic music for the New York age
Our music represents the counterculture of New York City in the 1990s.
This time brother
Listen to me now, as what I'm saying is important.
Hear what I got to say
Listen to my message and take it to heart.
Lyrics © The Orchard
Written by: Kory Clarke
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind