Link to: Discography Red December Next Song (Lovesong)
		Grind Hear It! (3:34 / 854k)

When John and Mark began serious discussions in 1999 about a third album, John already had a concept in mind for the first song. The motivation for it actually came about six years earlier. In 1993, HBI released their second album, Itch!. Even though Mark and John were extremely pleased with the results, some HBI fans felt that Itch! was not as "hard-rockin" as its predecessor, Graven Images. HBI was said to be "going soft." It was a criticism that John took perhaps a bit too seriously. John suggested (and Mark agreed) that the first song should have a real in-your-face, aggressive, grinding sound. "In fact, we should even call it 'Grind'!" Hence, the song title was born. John suggested a few concepts to Mark for lyrics and then set out work on music. John remembered a guitar riff he had played around with a few years earlier, and thought it would suit a song of this style. Mark completed the lyrics and emailed them to John (HBI was now embracing the technological age). Taking some influence from some of the popular music of the mid-late nineties (techno, industrial, grunge), John recorded the guitar and drum tracks for 'Grind' in 1999. Two years later, in May of 2001, John and Mark got together to add the vocals, bass, and guitar solo tracks. The opening sample is by Bruce Campbell from the movie "Army of Darkness" (one of HBI's favorite films). The computerized squealing sound during the intro is a data tape backup of the drum machine data bank (all of the old drum patterns from "Itch!" and "Graven Images" were backed up onto tape so that we could make room for new drum beats to use for "Red December".) (Note: When thinking about the new album, John not only envisioned the opening song but also the transition from the first to second song. HBI has always tried to maintain a diversity in musical styles, and what better way to demonstrate that than by having the first song build up to a loud wall of noise only to end abruptly...and lead right into song 2--the gentle acoustic guitar intro of 'Lovesong.' It was a juxtaposition that HBI could not resist. John and Mark even toyed with the idea of inserting a small quote from a classic movie between the songs to really drive home the point--"And now for something completely different.")

Every day starts the same way Take a long look in the mirror Another wrinkle a little gray I remember when it all was clearer Life was an endless road A chance to pursue all our dreams But one of the things we got told Things aren't always what they seem Let's leave all of this behind If I don't get out I'll lose my mind Though I don't know what we'll find Help me get out of this grind Like in an Orwellian nightmare Or in an old Fritz Lang movie Gray somber and soulless crowds Are moving on every side of me Too many agendas, too little time It's a rat race in this town So screw your plans, I've got mine I won't let them grind me down! Let's leave all of this behind If I don't get out I'll lose my mind Though I don't know what we'll find Help me get out of this grind     Phone, fax, couriers, and email     Meetings, briefings, and conference calls     Suits, ties, jackets, and wingtips     There's got to be more to this all Let's leave all of this behind If I don't get out I'll lose my mind Though I don't know what we'll find Help me get out of this grind Lyrics by Mark Schaefer ©2001 by HBI and Red December Music