Trenches

Album: Onyx (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Pop Evil penned this hard-driving track about the constant grind to survive in the music business. It also serves as a sort of manifesto for the Michigan five-piece. "It's about our battles," said singer Leigh Kakaty. "Not focusing on the things we can't control, if we really want to be a band that stands the test of time we have to write the music that connects. We have to dig our way out of the trenches."
  • Released as the lead single from Pop Evil's third album, Onyx, the song became their first-ever #1 on the Active Rock radio chart.
  • The video was directed by Johan Carlén, a Swedish filmmaker who does many of the cinematic videos for the band. The storyline in the video follows the theme of overcoming adversity, with a woman setting her sights on getting out of a bad relationship and conquering her drug addiction by improving herself through relentless boxing workouts, giving her the courage to move on.

    It's the third part of a trilogy of videos by the band and directed by Carlén, although it was the first one released. The first part of the trilogy is "Deal With The Devil," followed by "Behind Closed Doors."
  • Later in 2013, the band released a remix of this song featuring Darryl McDaniels from the iconic rap group Run-D.M.C.

    In our interview with Leigh Kakaty, he said McDaniels was brought in "to give a little homage to our old-school favorite pioneers of rap."

    A new video was also made featuring McDaniels, and the song was included on the "super-deluxe" reissue of the Onyx album.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Spooner Oldham

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."

Meshell Ndegeocello

Meshell NdegeocelloSongwriter Interviews

Meshell Ndegeocello talks about recording "Wild Night" with John Mellencamp, and explains why she shied away from the spotlight.

TV Theme Songs

TV Theme SongsFact or Fiction

Was a Beatles song a TV theme? And who came up with those Fresh Prince and Sopranos songs?

Which Songs are About Drugs?

Which Songs are About Drugs?Fact or Fiction

"25 or 6 to 4" to "Semi-Charmed Life" - see if you can spot the songs that are really about drugs.

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go's

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go'sSongwriter Interviews

Charlotte was established in the LA punk scene when a freaky girl named Belinda approached her wearing a garbage bag.

Trucking Songs That Were #1 Hits

Trucking Songs That Were #1 HitsSong Writing

The stories behind the biggest hit songs about trucking.