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King of the Losing Side

by Chasing the Sky

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1.
Fangs! 03:17
Dear honor, I put you down with broken teeth. Then I said there's nothing left that you can do for me. This city, I built it up and I'll tear it down. A judas kiss. A fractured fist. Count my conscience out. Mark my words, we'll pay for all our mistakes. We pray our fangs stay sharp until the debt is paid. Dear honesty, you were cruel but you were right. Simple truths spread like roots through concrete in my mind. Last night, I introduced myself to me. And he said we'd make poor friends, with that I can agree. Mark my words, we'll pay for all our mistakes. We pray our fangs stay sharp until the debt is paid. And now my words won't pay for all my mistakes. Their fangs, their aim, are sharp, and focused in on me. I'm in love and charismatic. Hear me out, it's unromantic. Tragedies I wrote ran away the bride. Still I'm here to mount a comeback. Should I fail, at least you'll know: I fought. I stayed. With you, until my debt was paid.
2.
Stories 03:59
In the ashes of the bridges you've burned There's a flower still gripping the earth If these ruins had something to say They'd tell me that I am to blame I've scraped up and bruised my knees From begging like a stray at your feet Now I'm breaking, I'm pulling apart With a bullet sent straight to your heart I'll fight like a lion this time And not the orphan you took from the cold. I'll cut the wires and sever the cords. I don't need them to breath anymore. There's a garden that's blooming inside And it's begging to breathe in the light And I know where I've thrown in my lot Like the gallows or the firing squad These are weapons on the tip of my tongue I've held my fire for far too long. I'll fight like a lion this time And not the orphan you took from the cold. I'll cut the wires and sever the cords. I don't need them to breath anymore. I'm sick of just standing in line and watching my heroes all die. I'm wiser and a little more bold. My story just hasn't been told.
3.
Dysphoria 04:05
When the noise is gone, in quiet moments I can gather my scattered thoughts. Fragile and weak, like a newborn learning to breathe. And when the world moves on, it leaves my stomach, freezes words to the end of my tongue. When you collide with your soul, it bruises to the bone. It’s the weight of a crown on a kid, Who shoulders the world and the pain that it gives him. Never asked for anything. Who will stay as the dominoes fall, when gravity whens, and swallows us all? I found myself a reluctant king. These walls are caving in, And all the light departs from darkness as the heavens rescind. That’s how it begins. What if I’ll never be the same again? It’s when the pain sets in. Fever burns and fingers blistered to the touch of my skin. It’s all the same to me. There’s no relief, only destiny. Don’t mistake a want for a need or compliance for peace. In the struggle it brings, things exist that we can’t see. Don’t misplace your faith in your dreams, when they rip at the seams you just have to believe: it’s not the end of everything.
4.
I just can't see the colors the way I know you do. They must be beautiful, they start a fire in you. Try your best and tell me just what it's like. I'd die for just a chance to see through your eyes. I know it's hard my dear but my heart is a machine. And now you look so strong, bearing all that weight. Burning like a martyr for my sake. And I still picture you alone inside your car. Your eyes are closed, going 100 miles per hour. And I am just the ghost in the passenger seat. And I would slow you down if only I could speak. If only I could speak.
5.
Slip down to the empty streets in the pouring rain, where the ghosts they scream: “did you know our names?” City lights like torches burn to remind us all of those who passed away waiting for a saint. A life out on the line demands more than resting upon a dream for us to turn the tide. How do you expect to live when you're afraid to die? So cut me loose and crown me king of the losing side. Right now we need a miracle but they aren't cheap. And our prayers for help are far too weak. These bones are all we have so they'll have to do, held together with tape and glue. None of us are saints, just weary and broken. None of us are saints, we carry the wounded.
6.
Bliss 03:37
Fate or fate, white knights wage war for praise. Bird and cage, on dancing strings, they sing. I can’t hold up all your hopes. Don’t want to be your hero. Villains sometimes tell the truth, and every good man lies. Tomorrow’s dress code reads: “disguise” One more time, retrace the wires, look back. Signals sent from head to heart, remain intact. I can’t hold up all your hopes. Don’t want to be your hero. ‘Cause a hero always falls and murders choose life. There’s more to life than black and white. Is it really right if it’s for the wrong reasons? One saw a patriot another thought treason. Heroes still get paid for the good they do, while messengers are carrying the cross of truth. I wanna do what’s right for all the right reasons, flex my spine for the things that I believe in. The bullets I speak are true to what I do, they’ve got to be true to what I do. I want to be your hero.
7.
How could you think your life doesn't matter?
8.
Viper 03:58
Your mother always told you: “that body wasn’t built to be loved.” Your father wrote a gospel that said serve only what serves yourself Still you carry the banner like it’s the difference between heaven and hell. But you cannot have honor with your valor sitting up on the shelf. Your house is no empire, you’ll never be the queen. This tree of your family rots where it’s standing. The branches break off like they’re leaves in the breeze. My father always told me: “have family or have nothing at all. You’ll never need an army with a few good men at your side." He said: “you don’t forget treason, you repay it swiftly in kind.” But forgiveness is your savior if you understand when it applies. Your house is no empire, you’ll never be the queen. This tree of your family rots where it’s standing. Bitter is the fruit and bitter was the seed. Decades of scheming have earned you this evening. The viper’s in your house, and the wolves are at your door. The sins of your mother are clawing from under, the place where she buried them before you were born.
9.
down here, she's a lamb in the den of lions. all the heavens are called to silence as the blood soaks through the bed sheets -- a voice in her head is screaming: “this is not how love should feel.” she sleeps now to a lullaby of sirens and dreams about the day that she'll wed. you slither like a serpent and coil on her bed. this is not how love should feel. so pray the darkness keeps you safe. cause at the break of day, I'll be coming for you. so pray the devil keeps you safe. cause at the break of day, you'll get what's coming to you. the wolves are circling as you drag yourself through the leaves; crying out for anyone ... but for blood spilled only comes more blood.
10.
At the rate I’m living there’s not enough time to reconcile the armies still raging inside.   Hung up my halo last night, to kiss a stranger goodnight. Fistfights with my conscience knock me out every time. Sterilize the wounds with lots of vodka and ice. I’ve been too selfish to fight, I can’t be your white knight Impostors, raise your hands in the air. If you’re like me, you’re dreaming, there’s something more. My lion-hearted brothers would lay down their lives.    Maybe I would too if I knew what was right. So I’ll scream at the sky until the stars all reply. If there is a heaven, could you show me it’s there. And if there is a devil, please don’t tell him I’m scared. I don’t want comfort or peace -- it’s the truth that I need. Liars, at the pulpits preach. Bigots, rage in the streets. Salvation, sold on TV. Somehow, I still believe If love was the target, I think you’ve missed your mark.    You’re a den full of lions, a tank full of hungry sharks. If something is out there, it’s bigger than you and I. The truth is my king, I’ll serve it until I die.
11.
Slip down to the empty streets in the pouring rain, where the ghosts they scream: “did you know our names?” City lights like torches burn to remind us all of those who passed away waiting for a saint. A life out on the line demands more than resting upon a dream for us to turn the tide. How do you expect to live when you're afraid to die? So cut me loose and crown me king of the losing side. Right now we need a miracle but they aren't cheap. And our prayers for help are far too weak. These bones are all we have so they'll have to do, held together with tape and glue. None of us are saints, just weary and broken. None of us are saints, we carry the wounded.
12.
Rows of cars in the rain; your story concludes today. Sons and daughters hold the line; your war becomes ours tonight. The trees will last through the storm. You said "some people only want, recognition and response." And raised these men to be the lions that guard the sheep. Sons and daughters hang their heads. Love, protected until the end. The memories stay safe and warm. Your roots will grow stronger than this storm.

about

After seven long years, it's finally here. We're sorry it took so long, we hope you like it, and we love you very much.

Chasing the Sky is: Brenden Stark, Dana Mika, Cassidy Warner, Trevor Andrew Atkinson, Tim Alexander, Kay VanAntwerpen

Recorded by Michael Crittenden and Christopher Andrus at Mackinaw Harvest Studios in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Ryan Dekkinga provided arrangements on "Fangs", "King of the Losing Side", "Stories", "Bliss is Ignorance", "Colorblind", and "Impostors". Tom Steimel provided arrangements on "Bliss is Ignorance". Arie Boon provided the title "Bliss is Ignorance" (and also some real good talks about mental health).

Artwork by C.R. Warner.

credits

released June 3, 2022

CHASING THE SKY THANKS:
Annette Stark, Michael "The Colonel" Crittenden, Christopher Andrus, Mike Ritz, Ryan Dekkinga, Patrick Minnick. The Intersection, The Pyramid Scheme, Mackinaw Harvest, The Grand Rapids Press, REVUE Magazine, The Mitten Brewery, Rocky's Bar & Grill, Old Dog Tavern, 20th Century FOX, Chevrolet, Glee, Western Digital, Daniel Falicki, WYCE, Star 105.7, JQ 99, Christopher Ewing, John Sinkevics, Arie Boon, The Detroit Lions Pride Cheerleaders, Amber Russell (Why the ham weren't you on this list to begin with? Sorry, it was Dana's fault.)

TIM THANKS:
I would like to thank my family for being supportive of the time it took for this endeavor. The Colonel for being so cool to work with. My band mates. I learned a lot and had some great laughs along the way. I'd also like to thank those who fight for peace and equality. Last but not least, God who has blessed me with the talents to do so.

DANA THANKS:
Thank you to all who supported us. Thanks to life for teaching me so much during this album. I learned how to feel accepted and I learned how to be myself. Thank to my band mates. It's been a fun journey.

KAY THANKS:
Thanks to my children CHICHI the Cat and DANNISAURUS the Manshark for their support, even when I'm not the best mom. GALEN NELSON, who always watches my back. One of the few genuinely righteous people I've ever met. I wouldn't question their integrity for a second, and I would distrust anyone who did. EMILY STRATING who kind of made this album what it is on an emotionally and lyrically. She taught me hope, idealism, and faith in building a better future are not futile or arrogant endeavors. JIM VOICE, who taught me how to read again. CHELSEE AUBLE for making me feel worth something. KAHRI NELSON, for loaning me her cat. MYLES DODGE for keeping me awake literally the only night in my life I had a hard time staying awake. ELLEN HANDYSIDE, for being the first stranger to compliment my lyrics. I wish I had words to describe how much your friendship has come to mean to me -- I don't think there's a person in the world I believe in more than you. You've been a fucking rock during some dark places, and one day I'll repay you. MARY RENDON for being the most intersectional person I've ever met. EVAN GROOT, for looking the bender in the eye and saying "we go where it takes us" -- those who slay together, stay together. EMILEE PETERSMARK for asking to be friends at a time when I was real lonely, and then following that up by being a really fucking cool friend. GVSU's RUTH BUTLER-- if there's a writing Jesus, it's her. MLive's JOE WALKER: Holy hell, you are a hard person to impress and I know because I fucking tried -- I first considered myself a professional writer the day you read one of my stories and called across the room: "Hey. This is really good." HILARY CUMMINS and BETHANY ARCHER: I know it's weird you're both in here, but for better or worse your fingerprints are on the mold of this album. I don't hate you as much as you probably assume, and I really hope you're happy. Lastly, my bandmates. Especially BRENDEN STARK, who started as a teammate, progressed to roommate, then mentor, guardian, and brother -- you're a goddamn lighthouse and you've saved my ass more times than I can count. And last, but far from fucking least: FINN JASKOWSKI for making me leave my bedroom after the whole goddamn thing was finished. You saved my life.

OUR FRIENDS IN:
The Crane Wives, The Quirk, The Bless You Boys, The Mines, AG Silver, Bet on Rats, Lokella, Your Best Friend, Romance for Ransom, A Red Letter Year, Domestic Problems, Troll For Trout, Heavier than Air Flying Machines, Sullivan, Surprises, The Afterlife Kids, The Skies Revolt, The Juno Blacklist, The Party's Over

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Chasing the Sky Grand Rapids, Michigan

Chasing the Sky is a pop-rock band from Grand Rapids, Michigan that you may have heard thanks to Glee, Chevrolet, or Western Digital. The band’s music has been called “well-crafted” and “terrific” (John Sinkevics, The Grand Rapids Press), “Impressive” (West Michigan Noise), and a musical effort that you “should not miss” (Melanie Coker, Behind the Velvet Curtain). ... more

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