UnderFire Releases"Scapegoat"
I had the chance to chat with Max Carrillo, Frontman of UnderFire, about the band's new single, "Scapegoat" released yesterday accompanied with a new music video. Scapegoat is the first taste of their long-anticipated debut album "Vultures - Ghosts - Shadows"
Max explained that the song was written a while back with the purpose of therapy during a dark period for himself. It was a way he could finally put the past on paper and come to terms with it and move on from it. "A lot of people have family problems. I’ve gathered many stories from close friends. Whether it be of abusive parents or parents or siblings dealing with drug problems and escapism, and I’ve seen those very same traits get passed down to some of my friends unfortunately. So what this song truly represents is a dark realism of how life can sometimes turn you into the very thing you never wanted to become and always tried to run from. This song is about the vicious cycle of unwanted traits being passed down. Sometimes bad traits get passed down along with good ones in families. I think growing up everyone expects to have a perfect family but realistically that’s not always the case. This sheds some light on that. For some people it can ruin them, for others it can empower them to lead a greater life. For me personally, I love my parents and my sister and am on great terms with them but, during my earlier years that wasn’t always the case. At the same time I have come to understand that people aren’t perfect. I know one day I will be a father, and will only want what is best for my kids. Hoping they turn out alright in the long run, just as my parents did for me. So for that I appreciate them. I’m sure there’s a lot of gray area as a parent. You either care too much or don’t care enough, amongst many other things when raising a family. However some of the backlash of memories from my upbringing had resurfaced again in my life and I was feeling emotionally triggered" Said Max. He wrote this song last year after feeling upset with himself as a way to find closure. Not only for himself but, he also wants others who listen to Scapegoat to find that same closure! "It's about coming to terms with life issues and letting people know they are not alone!" Max expressed.
He went on to explain a little about each of the characters portrayed in the music video. Each character symbolizes a different dysfunction. The mother is depicted with three faces, representing her multiple personalities. The father is seen wearing a vulture mask which symbolizes his over authoritative, abusive, and alcoholic personality. The sister is shown wearing a mask with broken glass, illustrating her narcissistic behavior and lastly, the brother wearing a button eyed mask representing escapism and drug abuse.
Scapegoat Lyrics
Scapegoat Verse 1
Do you know what it’s like
For all these years to go by
Thinking I was the cause
For all of this chaos
Because of you I couldn't get to
See my friend pass away
Pre Chorus 1
The things you said
They still remain
Inside my head
Chorus 1
You made me believe
I was the reason why
Our family is so broken (Aaah)
I was the scapegoat
For all these fucking years
I covered up all the damage (That you made)
Verse 2
Remember the knife to my neck
I never wanted to live like this
Seeing those I love drown
From the storm that was created (Created by you)
It was all you, the lies, the guilt, I lived through
No longer will I feel so worthless
PreChorus 2
All of these scars
Won’t bring me down
They don’t define (Who I am now)
Chorus 2
You made me believe
I was the reason why
Our family is so broken (Aaah)
I was the scapegoat
For all these fucking years
I covered up all the damage (That you made)
Bridge
I had the weight of the world, On my shoulders
Because of all of your, false pretenses,
And all these years went by, I lived a lie
But now this is where this ends
Taste this guilt, Taste this guilt, (Taste this guilt)
Instrumental Breakdown
Chorus 3
You made me believe
I was the reason why
Our family is so broken (So broken down)
I was the scapegoat
For all these fucking years
I covered up all the damage (That you made)
*Over the second half of the chorus (I had the weight of the world on my shoulders) 2x
The damage that you made
UnderFire's debut album "Vultures - Ghosts - Shadows" is scheduled to be released at the end of September. They will be performing their album release show at The Wire in Berwyn, IL September 29th. For more information on the album release show check out the band's social media pages.
Follow UnderFire on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram @UnderFireMusic
Photos Provided by Joel Lopez of Lumbra Records
"Scapegoat" by UnderFire.
Mixed and Mastered: Ruby Rock Studios
Filmed and Edited: Nick Frollo
