97a - Abandoned Future E.P.

97a
Abandoned Future E.P.
1997

FOUNDATIONS?
Social standards built on trust,
being raped by most of you.
Selfish fools, filled with spite.
Afraid to see a different view.

I've given up on your false foundations.
I've given up on your stupid selfish pride!

ABANDONED FUTURE
Our past accomplishments are taken for granted,
as we laugh at what used to be.
Disregarding the old, for a newer way.
Yesterday's triumphs are ignored today.

Remembrance for an earned respect,
Preservation for the younger minds.
Achievements important to us all,
forgotten and we' ll just fall.

An abandoned future for sure this time,
as history repeats it's forgotten self.
A backward spiral towards repetition,
with a stubborn ego for competition.

Remembrance for an earned respect,
preservation for the younger minds.
Achievements important to us all,
forgotten and we'll just fall!

BLIND FURY
You can censor my lyrics,
but you can't censor me.
Your hatred for words,
is based on vulgarity.
My actions, my thoughts,
are what you can't see,
My messages are encoded,
against your political fury.

Your blind censorship will never silence me!

SUPPRESSED!
Thinking about others is a thing of the past,
don't be considerate or you'll come in last.
At the expense of others you build your 'success'.
Your own personal benefit, nothing less.

SUPPRESSED, by your capitalist ways of moving ahead
Don't look back, at the blood you shed

Jaded ideals and distorted desires,
resulting from your greed to climb higher.
Quest for cash ranks above compassion for man?
Connive and deceive to get the upper hand.

SUPPRESSED, everybody in your way, but what was gained?
Next to nothing. You've made life a competition,
and now you've won...

You've made your mark and LOST YOUR FRIENDS!
Desensitized from the lust for...
money and status, is WHAT WAS GAINED!
But was it worth all the feelings that were maimed?

Your suppression of others will always get the best of you.

CRUCIBLE OF REVOLUTION
Passive whispers fall upon deaf ears,
screaming destroys all acceptance.
Frustrations balance the awkwardness,
realizing you haven't even made a difference.

The spirit weakens softly,
as no one shows they care.

Feelings build up and important stance,
as blind ambition creates new delusions.
The emotions translate into paper words,
but the stone faces halt the revolution.

The spirit weakens so softly,
as deception causes your despair

SMALL CHANGES
Our twisting earth is faltering fast,
it's grinding down, how long will it last?
Depleting nature, from a shrinking source.
We have to stop this destruction course.

We can only do our part,
for the things close to our heart.
There are no solutions in idle talk,
from critics who stand instead of walk...

There's so much wrong with the world today,
dwelling on the horror, won't make it go away.
Educate your viewpoints so you can improve,
don't depress yourself by what you can't do.

We can only do our part,
for the things close to our heart.
There are no solutions in idle talk,
from critics who stand instead of walk forward.

WE HAVE TO THINK before we act,
to discover the power that WE EACH BEHOLD!
Controlling the problems WITHIN OUR REACH,
will make our tomorrows better than today!

So much to improve, but I can't do it all.
I know I'll make a change, no matter how small.

WHAT WENT WRONG?
You spoke the truth,
that's what we were told.
You would never give up,
you would never grow old.
Those passions you had,
would be there forever.
You must of thought we were dumb,
to think you're so clever?

WHY DID YOU JUST TURN AWAY?
What went wrong?

You spoke your opinions,
through song, and through word.
You used each and all,
to make your voice heard.
Now you claim your convictions,
just faded with time,
because, no one understood,
your rhetoric and rhyme.

WHY DID YOU JUST TURN AWAY?
What went wrong?

Think about what you' re saying to me?
That things are 'so different',
and 'the kids don't believe'.
If it's true, it's from the example you've set.
How easily you turned away,
and how easily... YOU FORGET!

BETTER OFF DEAD
America; land of the free.
Freedom for the scum to walk the streets.
Liberty, given to them out of our fright.
As they create...

our shattered dreams, and broken hopes,
as we accept their life of crime.
It's all around us everywhere,
and no one stops it, BECAUSE NO ONE CARES.

Silence; that is our true weakness.
Content until it's our turn.
Excuses; we look the other way.
Their power is created by our fear.

STAMP OF APPROVAL
Another day, stuck in a rut.
I'm captured by your stupid pride.
A shallow mind with a strong belief,
that you are always right.

The time will come to stand my ground,
I'll make you wish that I wasn't around.
I guess you' ll see if it was WORTH IT OR NOT?

I can't escape from your refute stare.
A paradox for an approving eye.
Self-gratifying your every move,
by dismissing what you cannot do.

The time has come to stand my ground,
I'll make you wish that I wasn't around.
I guess you' ll see if it was WORTH IT OR NOT?

CROSSING
You support me, I'll support you.
Together there is so much we can do.
You're ignorant to think like that,
a blind advocate falling into a trap.

You don't look. you don't listen.

Unite the scene; it's your dream.
Complacent to the exact same theme.
There's no room for change with minds alike.
I don't want to agree with what I don't like.

You don't look, You don't listen.

You don't listen to a single word we say!

RESTRAINED DISCIPLINE
I offered myself to my peers,
who said I didn't fit the mold they wanted.
In their eyes they truly believe,
one must desire to screw one another.
They pick the best; dismiss the rest,
because society won't survive on truth alone?
I've played the game and now it's my turn to put them down.

I've found a better way,
this time you'll have no chance.
Grin and bear it without contempt.
Keep quiet and show no sign.
I'll use you like you used me, a statistic.
Nothing, NOTHING MORE!

ASPHYXIATE
A toxic addiction is what you smoke,
a disgusting habit that makes me choke.
Never even ask if you can smoke by me.
You inconsiderate jerk, get away from me!
I ask you nice, and you say it's your right.
Well, I hope your cancer is worth the fight.

I CAN'T, I DON'T, I WON'T RELATE,
to the reasons why you asphyxiate yourself
...at my expense.

NEVER
You sold me short, and I'll never forget it... NEVER!

GOJIRA
An ominous cloud looms overhead,
and seven million people will soon be dead.
In the name of science they cause them pain,
just because someone had a twisted brain.

Missiles launched across the sky,
the streets shake from the thundering roar.
Panic strikes from all around,
buildings get stomped down to the ground.

A threatening monster created by man,
causes a thousand problems around the land.
Colossal terror fills the human eye,
massive destruction starts, and the people cry.

They can't stop it, hard as they try;
army fights back, fighting is useless.
We just watch it when we want to;
not to worry, because it can't happen?

Missiles launched across the sky,
the streets shake from the thundering roar.
Panic strikes from all around,
buildings get stomped down to the ground.

EXCLUDED
I can't believe the way I feel,
something hurts me deep inside.
The lack of trust within myself,
shows me who you really are.

DEPRESSION based on lack of words.
COMPASSION that was never there.
ATTRACTION towards an easy ideal.
Is that the way you really feel?

Feelings caused from lack of thought,
create an illusion of escape.
Regressive reclusion from mankind,
immersing ever deeper still.

DEPRESSION based on lack of words.
COMPASSION that was never there.
ATTRACTION towards an easy ideal.
Is that the way you positively feel?

My mind is still yearning for the perfect day,
with a sustained pride from a new found way.
Where exclusion is lost and consideration remains;
contemption withheld, and our friendship regained.

AVERAGE CITIZEN
The average citizen struggles for little gain,
clenches his fists, and carries their burden.

Distribute the problem to the majority.
Discard your moral ethics.
Economy is disarray from jaded politics.
Keep all the profits for yourself.

Hard earned money, stripped away by taxes.
Executive investors rape the system,
exploiting our trust, redirecting the problem.
Bipartisan bureaucrats design our downfalls.
Tax cuts for the upper class,
they keep it for their private stash.

Distribute the problem to the majority.
Discard your moral ethics.
Economy is disarray from jaded politics.
Keep all the profits for yourself.

The average citizen carries the economy's weight.

P.C.
I don't display my beliefs to show I care.
It's evident in my actions, not marked by two words.
Voicing strict adherence to a set code of ethics,
is more foolish then living the alternative you decline.

You say you're an activist, so you need to be pissed,
at the people around you who don't conform to your lists.
Criticize this country, ignoring the good.
Take freedom for granted, amplifying the problem.

I don't label myself belonging to that group.
Your life is stagnant from the barriers that you built.
Condescending pretense will bring you down.
Your ignorant decisions spawn blind hostility.

You say you're an activist, so you need to be pissed,
at the people around you who don't conform to your lists.
Criticize this country, ignoring the good.
Take freedom for granted, amplifying the problem.

You're just politically confused!

GIVE IT BACK
We give you so much, but you don't appreciate,
the favors we do are thanked too late.
A bit irate when you' re inconvenienced.
The people who care are the one's you'll miss.

You take so much, and you never GIVE IT BACK!

SELF HELP
You say you want to skate, but you've got to be tough.
A bad-ass attitude, but that isn't enough.
Just sit on the curb and don't even skate.
Do the wrong tricks, and it's a reason to hate.

You ruin it for me, and you ruin it for you,
with every single thing that you do.
With an attitude like that, soon we' ll all be cursed.
YOU'VE GOT TO STOP THAT SHIT,
AND IT STARTS WITH CHANGE FIRST!

You can't stop there, got to prove you' re a man.
Graffiti those walls, and do what you can.
Use common sense? Heck, don't even try,
but when you can't skate, you always wonder why!

97a abandoned future e.p.

97a is:
Chris Kelly - vocals (guitar on Suppressed!, Restrained Discipline, Average Citizen, and P.C.).
Todd A.- guitar (vocals on Suppressed!, Restrained Discipline, Average Citizen, and P.C.). Glen - drums.
Glint Morris - bass.
Backing vocals by Jeff Terranova, Brian K., Kris Too Far, and 97a. Various yelling on Abandoned Future, Suppressed!, and Excluded by Todd, Chris, and Glint, respectively.

All songs were written between September, 1994 and October, 1996. Self Help and Gojira also appear on the 'Terror at WFMU' e.p. (currently out of print). All lyrics were written by Chris Kelly, except Suppressed!, Restrained Discipline, Average Citizen, and P.C. by Todd A. Give It Back was written by Todd And Glen while Chris was doing vocal tracks, and was recorded on the first try.

All music was written by Chris and Todd (except Abandoned Future by 97a), with arrangement by 97a.
Songs 1-7 were recorded on November 2, 1996 at Raw Recordings, in Mahopac, New York by Jean-Christophe Santalis on 24 tracks in about nine hours. These songs were mixed by Chris Kelly, Todd A.,
and Jean-Christophe on November 10, 1996. Songs 8-19 were recorded on 16 tracks during the middle of a blizzard on February 16-18, 1996 by Alap Momin and Keith Deblasi at Sweetwood Sound in
Parsippany, New Jersey, for the 'Better Off Dead' e.p. These songs were then remixed exclusively for this project by Chris and Alap on March 26, 1997.

All graphic layout and design by Chris Kelly and Tony T. Front cover photo by Chris, back cover photo by Justine DeMetrick, and record label photos by Carl Gunhouse and Dan Wharton. Spring 1997.
This is a split release between Coalition and Teamwork Records. This is Coalition LKW 12002 and Teamwork T-6. It is available on both 12" and CD e.p. formats. Please send an IRC or stamp when writing!
THANKS TO: Marcel, Jeroen and COALITION Records, all of our friends and families, Tony Tomaselli, Fran K., Steph, Carl Gunhouse, Justine DeMetrick, Jessica Humphrey, Christina Dong, Lauren Roe, Jean-
Christophe, Alap Momin, Jim Swan, Mike and Matt D'Angelo, Dr. Steven Ciufo, Chris Alpino, Brandon Finnegan, Larry Ransom, Jeff Terranova, Rob Tengowski, Doug Sorg, Samantha Sansone, the Coppi sisters, Aviram, Mickey, and all the New Jersey kids, Robby, Vern, Rich, Matt Summers and the Philadelphia kids, Kris and the mighty PUSHED TOO FAR, Ronnie, Matt and RAIN ON THE PARADE, Max and SPAZZ, Tim and ENSIGN, Jim, Nate and DEVOID OF FAITH, Mark and CHARLES BRONSON, HANDS TIED, Matt and HATCHETFACE, Rory and COMMON GROUND(N J), UNANSWERED, Frank and (The)UPRISE, Team FLOORPUNCH, Dave Koenig and HARDWARE Fanzine, Kevin and THIS FATE Fanzine, David and SECOND CHOICE Fanzine, Chris and AGAINST ALL ODDS Fanzine, Fred Hammer and IT'S ALIVE Fanzine, Shinji and VIBRATOR Records, Brett and IN MY BLOOD Records, Timojhen and VACUUM Records, Pat, Charles and WFMU, Chris Vaglio and WNTI, Rachel and WNYU, Duane Peters, and all who have helped us with shows, lent us equipment, gave us inspiration, or showed some sort of support.
c Teamwork/Coalition 1999

VISIT THE 97A WEBSITE AT: HTTP://MEMBERS.AOL.COM/NJHC97A
WRITE TO: 97A C/0 TEAMWORK P.O. BOX 4473, WAYNE, NJ 07474-4473 USA, AND PLEASE ENCLOSE A STAMP!