Radiosurgery (song)
Encyclopedia
"Radiosurgery" is a song written by American rock
band New Found Glory
, serving as the lead single
and title track
for their seventh studio album Radiosurgery
(2011). It's name is taken from the actual medical procedure radiosurgery
, being used as a metaphor
after one band member suffered a marriage break up. The single was released on August 2, 2011 as a digital download
, while the music video
premiered on 14 September. The single will also be available on limited edition 7" Vinyl.
(2009) during their stretch on the 2010 Honda Civic Tour. Jordan Pundik
later told Texas
-based publication MagX in September that a new album would "probably be recorded in January", and upon being asked what the new material would sound like, he added "We always let it happen. Were a real band. We obviously have a vision of how we want it to "sound" but the songs are always what feels right and true to who we are." Shortly afterward in a November interview with Reverb music magazine
, the band's chief lyricist Steve Klein
reported that new demos
were in the works and that his early indications were that the songs would make for a "really catchy summer record." The band recorded the album with long-term record producer
Neal Avron
in his home studio between April and June 2011. Avron is known for his particular recording techniques and prefers laying down the rhythm section
of guitar
and drums
first, as opposed to the usual method of drums and bass guitar
. The producer has noted, "Over the years I've had issues with recording bass first, especially when someone is hitting the strings really hard. For me it's difficult to tell whether the bass is in tune, because the fundamental is so low. When laying the rhythm guitars down first, it's much easier to tell whether the bass is out of tune or not. It also means that the bass has a place to fit." It was later announced on 18 June that mixing
and mastering
had also been finalised. Earlier in May, the band announced to fans via a live video chat that their new album would be titled Radiosurgery and they hoped to release it sometime in September. The bands primary composer Chad Gilbert has explained that the album title is a direct reference to the medical procedure radiosurgery
, where a patient is treated by x rays or gamma rays to remove a tumor
or growth from the brain. Gilbert used the analogy
that if it was possible, the same procedure could be used to remove memories from the brain, noting that after a severe break up, a person can be left "going crazy." He revealed that since the band last wrote new material in 2008 (for Not Without a Fight), one member suffered a "very, very severe" separation. Though he refused to reveal who, he added, "It’s for them to talk about, not me. Someone pretty much lost their mind [and] did a lot of things that were pretty scary for all of us. We’ve all been through that. I wrote about it on our website, certain things sort of haunt you in your life. That’s where the title [Radiosurgery] comes from, it’s like a brain surgery." In the bands live album announcement on UStream
, the guitarist also suggested that fans could interpret the title as a double entendre
, noting when a person is trying to deal with a tough situation, "you can put on a record and it helps you." In the same video, primary lyricist Steve Klein can be heard joking that "you're gonna need radiosurgery to get these songs out of your head!"
, old Lookout! Records
stuff, Green Day
's Dookie
, Descendents
, Rancid
's Let's Go and that's pretty much it." Gilbert had a direct musical vision for the album, similar to how he describes that Coming Home
(2006) had, as opposed to Not Without a Fight
(2009), where the attitude was simply "let's record a New Found Glory album." The band strove to "apply the throwback vibe to their always-evolving style," by incorporating the elements from those classic albums; "it was simple, it was fun, it was heartfelt, but it also kind of had an attitude," with the hallmarks of their own career. Gilbert described how he wanted to "bridge the gap between generations", hoping for reactions such as "Dude that’s totally Ramones, but it’s not the Ramones, it’s New Found Glory. Or like, Dude, that totally reminds me of when I heard Dookie for the first time, but it’s totally not, it’s New Found Glory." As such, the band were meticulous in the writing process, discarding anything that was not in line with the albums vision or songs that felt "safe". The line "it makes my brain hurt" from the single, was taken from the Screeching Weasel
song "My Brain Hurts
."
called it a "perfect pop punk song", with blogger Jenna Hally Rubenstein adding "After a quick listen, it sounds like New Found Glory's still got it. In fact, they don't sound a day over three albums old!" James Shotwell of music webzine Under the Gun Review opined how the song sounded like "Green Day circa 1995," while Jose Flores of the New Times Broward-Palm Beach
stated that, "NFG never lost sight of it's hardcore roots -- even though their newest jam, "Radiosurgery," sounds more like classic Green Day than Earth Crisis. The band focuses sharply on rocking, and working their way into your head." In its weekly single survey, Jordy Kasko of The Tune
awarded the track a silver medal
and noted, "Dookie, anyone? The latest song from long-time pop-punkers New Found Glory possesses a certain Green Day quality to the riff."
on 2 August 2011. It was later announced that the single would also be released as 7" Vinyl on both Epitaph and 6131 Records. Both releases would be limited to 500 copies and both contained the exclusive b-side "Giving Up on Me".
on the shoot. The video was directed
by Meiert Avis
, and shot at the Linda Vista Hospital
in Los Angeles
. The video is set in a hotel
, and has been described as a direct homage to the Ramones
video for their 1981 single "I Wanna Be Sedated
." The video begins with New Found Glory sitting on a bed in an empty hotel hallway, before a slew of characters emerge in the background. To create this chaotic party scene, a mixture of fans and close friends of the band were called in and assigned random costumes. The director gave several actions for each extra to perform and after each take, people were able to get "more and more into character". Over 100 extras were used during the shoot, portraying characters such as fire breathers
, cheerleaders, and convicted felons amongst others. There are also several parodies
of celebrities, including those of Lady Gaga
, Bill Clinton
, and Barack Obama
parading around in the background as the song progresses Tom Denney Formerly of A Day To remember appears in the video.
.
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band New Found Glory
New Found Glory
New Found Glory is an American rock band from Coral Springs, Florida. Formed in the summer of 1997, founding members were lead vocalist Jordan Pundik, guitarists Chad Gilbert and Steve Klein, bassist Ian Grushka and drummer Joe Marino...
, serving as the lead single
Lead single
A lead single is usually the first single released by a musician or a band before the release of its home album.During the era of the grammophone record, all music arrived in the marketplace as what is now termed a single, one potential hit song backed by an additional song of generally less...
and title track
Title track
Title track may refer to:*Title track, a recorded song having the same name as the album or movie it comes from*Title Track, a song on the album The Stage Names*Title Track, a song on the album We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes...
for their seventh studio album Radiosurgery
Radiosurgery (album)
Radiosurgery is the seventh studio album by American rock band New Found Glory and was released on October 4, 2011 through independent label Epitaph Records. To follow up Not Without a Fight , the band began writing new material during their stint on the 2010 Honda Civic Tour...
(2011). It's name is taken from the actual medical procedure radiosurgery
Radiosurgery
Radiosurgery is a medical procedure that allows non-invasive treatment of benign and malignant tumors. It is also known as stereotactic radiotherapy, when used to target lesions in the brain, and stereotactic body radiotherapy when used to target lesions in the body...
, being used as a metaphor
Metaphor
A metaphor is a literary figure of speech that uses an image, story or tangible thing to represent a less tangible thing or some intangible quality or idea; e.g., "Her eyes were glistening jewels." Metaphor may also be used for any rhetorical figures of speech that achieve their effects via...
after one band member suffered a marriage break up. The single was released on August 2, 2011 as a digital download
Music download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
, while the music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
premiered on 14 September. The single will also be available on limited edition 7" Vinyl.
Background
New Found Glory began writing new material to follow up Not Without a FightNot Without a Fight
Not Without a Fight is the sixth studio album by American rock band New Found Glory. It was released on March 10, 2009 through independent label Epitaph Records. Produced by Blink-182 singer-bassist Mark Hoppus and recorded at his home based-OPRA Studios, the album was seen as a return to the bands...
(2009) during their stretch on the 2010 Honda Civic Tour. Jordan Pundik
Jordan Pundik
Jordan Izaak Pundik is an American musician and songwriter.Pundik is a founding member and the frontman of rock band New Found Glory, for whom he sings lead vocals and contributes lyrics...
later told Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
-based publication MagX in September that a new album would "probably be recorded in January", and upon being asked what the new material would sound like, he added "We always let it happen. Were a real band. We obviously have a vision of how we want it to "sound" but the songs are always what feels right and true to who we are." Shortly afterward in a November interview with Reverb music magazine
Music magazine
A music magazine is a magazine dedicated to music and music culture. Such magazines typically include music news, interviews, photo shoots, essays, record reviews, concert reviews and occasionally have a covermount with recorded music.-Notable music magazines:...
, the band's chief lyricist Steve Klein
Steve Klein (musician)
Stephen Lee "Steve" Klein is an American musician. Klein is a founding member of rock band New Found Glory, for whom he is the primary lyricist and plays rhythm guitar....
reported that new demos
Demo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
were in the works and that his early indications were that the songs would make for a "really catchy summer record." The band recorded the album with long-term record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
Neal Avron
Neal Avron
Neal Avron is an American musician, record producer, mixer, and audio engineer. Working predominately in rock music, Avron began working on records in 1993 and achieved his production breakthrough when he co-produced Everclear's 1997 album So Much For The Afterglow...
in his home studio between April and June 2011. Avron is known for his particular recording techniques and prefers laying down the rhythm section
Rhythm section
A rhythm section is a collection of musicians who make up a section of instruments which provides the accompaniment section of the music, giving the music its rhythmic texture and pulse, also serving as a rhythmic reference for the rest of the band...
of guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
and drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
first, as opposed to the usual method of drums and bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
. The producer has noted, "Over the years I've had issues with recording bass first, especially when someone is hitting the strings really hard. For me it's difficult to tell whether the bass is in tune, because the fundamental is so low. When laying the rhythm guitars down first, it's much easier to tell whether the bass is out of tune or not. It also means that the bass has a place to fit." It was later announced on 18 June that mixing
Audio mixing (recorded music)
In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
and mastering
Audio mastering
Mastering, a form of audio post-production, is the process of preparing and transferring recorded audio from a source containing the final mix to a data storage device ; the source from which all copies will be produced...
had also been finalised. Earlier in May, the band announced to fans via a live video chat that their new album would be titled Radiosurgery and they hoped to release it sometime in September. The bands primary composer Chad Gilbert has explained that the album title is a direct reference to the medical procedure radiosurgery
Radiosurgery
Radiosurgery is a medical procedure that allows non-invasive treatment of benign and malignant tumors. It is also known as stereotactic radiotherapy, when used to target lesions in the brain, and stereotactic body radiotherapy when used to target lesions in the body...
, where a patient is treated by x rays or gamma rays to remove a tumor
Tumor
A tumor or tumour is commonly used as a synonym for a neoplasm that appears enlarged in size. Tumor is not synonymous with cancer...
or growth from the brain. Gilbert used the analogy
Analogy
Analogy is a cognitive process of transferring information or meaning from a particular subject to another particular subject , and a linguistic expression corresponding to such a process...
that if it was possible, the same procedure could be used to remove memories from the brain, noting that after a severe break up, a person can be left "going crazy." He revealed that since the band last wrote new material in 2008 (for Not Without a Fight), one member suffered a "very, very severe" separation. Though he refused to reveal who, he added, "It’s for them to talk about, not me. Someone pretty much lost their mind [and] did a lot of things that were pretty scary for all of us. We’ve all been through that. I wrote about it on our website, certain things sort of haunt you in your life. That’s where the title [Radiosurgery] comes from, it’s like a brain surgery." In the bands live album announcement on UStream
Ustream
Ustream is a website which consists of a network of diverse channels providing a platform for lifecasting and live video streaming of events online. Established in March 2007, the site has over 2,000,000 registered users who generate 1,500,000+ hours of live streamed content per month with over ten...
, the guitarist also suggested that fans could interpret the title as a double entendre
Double entendre
A double entendre or adianoeta is a figure of speech in which a spoken phrase is devised to be understood in either of two ways. Often the first meaning is straightforward, while the second meaning is less so: often risqué or ironic....
, noting when a person is trying to deal with a tough situation, "you can put on a record and it helps you." In the same video, primary lyricist Steve Klein can be heard joking that "you're gonna need radiosurgery to get these songs out of your head!"
Music
Prior to the recording of Radiosurgery, the band spent time revisiting music from their youth that first inspired them to be in a band. Chad Gilbert described how he spent six months "only listening to the RamonesRamones
The Ramones were an American rock band that formed in the New York City neighborhood of Forest Hills, Queens, in 1974. They are often cited as the first punk rock group...
, old Lookout! Records
Lookout! Records
-History:Larry Livermore and David Hayes formed the label in 1987. From the start, Lookout released punk rock records, but over time expanded its scope to include various types of pop rock, reggae fusion, acoustic rock, pop punk, and indie rock...
stuff, Green Day
Green Day
Green Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool...
's Dookie
Dookie
Dookie is the third studio album by the American punk rock band Green Day. It was released on February 1, 1994 through Reprise Records. It was the band's first collaboration with producer Rob Cavallo and its major record label debut. Dookie became a worldwide commercial success, peaking at number...
, Descendents
Descendents
The Descendents are an American punk rock band from Hermosa Beach, California. As of 2011, they have released six studio albums, three live albums, three compilation albums and three EPs. The Descendents broke up and reformed several times over the years, sometimes with different musicians...
, Rancid
Rancid (band)
Rancid is an American punk rock band formed in Berkeley, California in 1991. Founded by Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman, both of whom previously played in the ska punk band Operation Ivy, Rancid is credited—along with Green Day and The Offspring—for reviving mainstream interest in punk rock in the...
's Let's Go and that's pretty much it." Gilbert had a direct musical vision for the album, similar to how he describes that Coming Home
Coming Home (New Found Glory album)
Coming Home is the fifth studio album by American rock band New Found Glory. It was produced by Thom Panunzio and released on September 19, 2006 through Geffen Records. Written and demoed at the Morning View Mansion in Malibu during 2005, Coming Home is a concept album unified by a lyrical theme of...
(2006) had, as opposed to Not Without a Fight
Not Without a Fight
Not Without a Fight is the sixth studio album by American rock band New Found Glory. It was released on March 10, 2009 through independent label Epitaph Records. Produced by Blink-182 singer-bassist Mark Hoppus and recorded at his home based-OPRA Studios, the album was seen as a return to the bands...
(2009), where the attitude was simply "let's record a New Found Glory album." The band strove to "apply the throwback vibe to their always-evolving style," by incorporating the elements from those classic albums; "it was simple, it was fun, it was heartfelt, but it also kind of had an attitude," with the hallmarks of their own career. Gilbert described how he wanted to "bridge the gap between generations", hoping for reactions such as "Dude that’s totally Ramones, but it’s not the Ramones, it’s New Found Glory. Or like, Dude, that totally reminds me of when I heard Dookie for the first time, but it’s totally not, it’s New Found Glory." As such, the band were meticulous in the writing process, discarding anything that was not in line with the albums vision or songs that felt "safe". The line "it makes my brain hurt" from the single, was taken from the Screeching Weasel
Screeching Weasel
Screeching Weasel is an American punk rock band originally from Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1986 by Ben Weasel and John Jughead.Since their formation, Screeching Weasel have broken up and reformed numerous times with numerous line-up changes. Ben Weasel has been the only constant...
song "My Brain Hurts
My Brain Hurts
My Brain Hurts is the third studio album by the American punk rock band Screeching Weasel. It was released in 1991 through Lookout! Records. It was the band's first album released through Lookout! Records. The album marked a very distinct stylistic shift...
."
Reception
Early reactions to the single were favorable, seeing it compared to Green Day's earlier material. MTVMTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
called it a "perfect pop punk song", with blogger Jenna Hally Rubenstein adding "After a quick listen, it sounds like New Found Glory's still got it. In fact, they don't sound a day over three albums old!" James Shotwell of music webzine Under the Gun Review opined how the song sounded like "Green Day circa 1995," while Jose Flores of the New Times Broward-Palm Beach
New Times Broward-Palm Beach
New Times Broward-Palm Beach is an alternative weekly newspaper; it is part of the Village Voice Media chain. The paper split off from the Miami New Times in 1997, under the auspices of then editor-in-chief Tom Walsh. Walsh was succeeded by Chuck Strouse, who was replaced in 2005 with Tony Ortega...
stated that, "NFG never lost sight of it's hardcore roots -- even though their newest jam, "Radiosurgery," sounds more like classic Green Day than Earth Crisis. The band focuses sharply on rocking, and working their way into your head." In its weekly single survey, Jordy Kasko of The Tune
The Tune
The Tune is an animated film by American filmmaker Bill Plympton.-Plot summary:Del, a hard-working songwriter, is trying to write the perfect song for his slimeball boss, Mr. Mega, so he can keep his job and his girlfriend Didi...
awarded the track a silver medal
Silver medal
A silver medal is a medal awarded to the second place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and contests with similar formats....
and noted, "Dookie, anyone? The latest song from long-time pop-punkers New Found Glory possesses a certain Green Day quality to the riff."
Release
"Radiosurgery" was released internationally as a digital downloadMusic download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
on 2 August 2011. It was later announced that the single would also be released as 7" Vinyl on both Epitaph and 6131 Records. Both releases would be limited to 500 copies and both contained the exclusive b-side "Giving Up on Me".
Music video
It was announced on 11 August that the band would be shooting a music video for the single. The band sent out a casting call to fans to appear as extrasExtra (actor)
A background actor or extra is a performer in a film, television show, stage, musical, opera or ballet production, who appears in a nonspeaking, nonsinging or nondancing capacity, usually in the background...
on the shoot. The video was directed
Music video director
A music video director is driven by a given music track. These are called music videos and are then used as promotional tools for popular music singles...
by Meiert Avis
Meiert Avis
Meiert Avis is an Irish music video and commercial director. Avis has directed videos for artists such as Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, U2, Avril Lavigne, Jennifer Lopez, New Found Glory and Josh Groban amongst many others....
, and shot at the Linda Vista Hospital
Linda Vista Hospital
Linda Vista Community Hospital, originally called the Santa Fe Railroad Hospital and Santa Fe Coast Lines Hospital, is a former hospital that is located at 610-30 St. Louis Street in Los Angeles, California, United States, in the Boyle Heights neighborhood. The hospital was constructed for railroad...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. The video is set in a hotel
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
, and has been described as a direct homage to the Ramones
Ramones
The Ramones were an American rock band that formed in the New York City neighborhood of Forest Hills, Queens, in 1974. They are often cited as the first punk rock group...
video for their 1981 single "I Wanna Be Sedated
I Wanna Be Sedated
"I Wanna Be Sedated" is a song by the American punk rock band the Ramones. It is one of the band's best known songs. It was originally released on their fourth album, Road to Ruin, in September 1978 and was the b-side of the UK single "She's the One" released on January 10, 1979. The song was later...
." The video begins with New Found Glory sitting on a bed in an empty hotel hallway, before a slew of characters emerge in the background. To create this chaotic party scene, a mixture of fans and close friends of the band were called in and assigned random costumes. The director gave several actions for each extra to perform and after each take, people were able to get "more and more into character". Over 100 extras were used during the shoot, portraying characters such as fire breathers
Fire breathing
Fire breathing is the act of creating a fireball by breathing a fine mist of fuel over an open flame. Proper technique and the correct fuel create the illusion of danger to enhance the novelty of fire breathing, while reducing the risk to health and safety...
, cheerleaders, and convicted felons amongst others. There are also several parodies
Parody
A parody , in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation...
of celebrities, including those of Lady Gaga
Lady GaGa
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta , better known by her stage name Lady Gaga, is an American singer and songwriter. Born and raised in New York City, she primarily studied at the Convent of the Sacred Heart and briefly attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts before withdrawing to...
, Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
, and Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
parading around in the background as the song progresses Tom Denney Formerly of A Day To remember appears in the video.
Track listing
All songs written and composed by New Found GloryNew Found Glory
New Found Glory is an American rock band from Coral Springs, Florida. Formed in the summer of 1997, founding members were lead vocalist Jordan Pundik, guitarists Chad Gilbert and Steve Klein, bassist Ian Grushka and drummer Joe Marino...
.
Release history
| Country | Date | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | August 2, 2011 | Digital download Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... |
| Austria | ||
| Belgium | ||
| Canada | ||
| Denmark | ||
| Finland | ||
| France | ||
| Germany | ||
| Greece | ||
| Ireland | ||
| Italy | ||
| Japan | ||
| Luxembourg | ||
| Mexico | ||
| Netherlands | ||
| New Zealand | ||
| Norway | ||
| Portugal | ||
| Spain | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Switzerland | ||
| United Kingdom | ||
| United States | ||
| Worldwide | October 4, 2011 | 7" Vinyl |
External links
"Radiosurgery" music video on YouTubeYouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....