Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Purchasable with gift card
$1USD or more
about
Continuing the story of Rusty Shipp’s upcoming story-based, concept album “Dark Side of the Ocean,” their latest single “Man Myth Legend” hones in on the band’s surf punk sound that surfaced in former songs such as “Detonator” and “Caligynephobia.” The lyrics are a clearer glimpse into the concept story of the new album which describes an underwater kingdom of angels who encounter the souls of sailors that have sunk down from the surface -- such as the narrator in the previous single, “Bottom of the Barrel.” Alarmed at the increasing rate of souls sinking down to their domain at the bottom of the ocean, they decide to risk the potential danger and ascend to the ocean's surface to find out exactly what is causing the growing frequency of humans’ drowning.
To cut through all the conceptual imagery at the surface and dive in to what this song is really about, singer and founder of the group, Russ T. Shipp, gave the following statement about the underlying message of the song: “All conceptual narrative and nautical imagery aside…this song was written as a response to much of the explosive division that arose during the pandemic. The direct application to life from “Man Myth Legend” is that in our lives we often see glimpses of something troubling, or hear of people doing something dangerous or that seems to be in opposition to something we believe, but we often don't have the courage to go check out things for ourselves and meet the people involved to get to know them and see what's actually going on and why those people do what they do. It's easier and more convenient to try and keep things so cut-and-dry, black-and-white, and just write people off as the enemy. But it's much harder, riskier work to step into the grey, and give people the benefit of the doubt, and think of them as fellow humans just coming from a different place to get their own needs met. To engage with ‘opponents’ humbly and respectfully, to listen and learn from them about where they’re coming from and why they do what they do, is certainly awkward and uncomfortable, but the rewards of that hard work are greater than the rewards that come from playing it safe in our comfort zones, and indeed the results of that hard work are necessary to our overall survival as people.”
lyrics
Verse 1:
Chained to Plato’s Cavern, Chained to shadows of tradition
And Black silhouettes that line the ceiling of the ocean,
More souls are sinking every year, oh something must be wrong up there
Do or die, it’s time we find, the truth or lies, behind the man myth legend
Verse 2:
Grab your shield and trident, get your sea horse armed for war
Let your fins all fly, and ride with the nautical sea lords
They say these men are more like beasts
Eat you with their war machines
But if there’s any chance of peace we have no choice, leave our world of safety
Chorus:
When I look at Heaven I see silhouettes in black
Tradition tries to demonize what we don’t understand
We need to see them through the love that covers all our skins
Until we’re dining in their homes, these men will be as good as myths and legends
Bridge:
They say the issue’s black and white
But aren’t we all just different shades of gray
If it makes us black and blue, then we’re going the wrong way
But we could bring in an age of peace
Joining both our worlds into one
We could be the heroes that make a new end to the legend
credits
released March 3, 2022
Music and lyrics written by Russell Thomas Shipp
Arranged and performed by Rusty Shipp
Produced by Stephen Leiweke of Yackland Studio
Mastered by Alex McCollough at True East Mastering
Named after the frontman Russ T. Shipp, the band has created a sound known as Nautical Rock ‘n’ Roll. Characterized by its
dark, underwater atmosphere, haunting vocals, and unconventional riffs, the music is a perfect fusion of grunge and surf rock, though it is most memorable for the Beatlesque hooks in every single song.
Combining wry, cutting lyrics and whimsical arrangements, the Canadian art-rockers' latest is a tilt-a-whirl of a breakup album. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 14, 2019
Oakland artist Kevin Nichols blends his love of pop melodies and Nirvana guitar tones on this first single from an upcoming full-length. Bandcamp New & Notable Jul 8, 2021
The third studio album from self-proclaimed "prunge" artist Kevin Nichols; delves into the perils of depression and anxiety. Bandcamp New & Notable Jul 6, 2018
