It feels like we just finished running a marathon. I think for a long time I’ve constantly felt like we’re chasing a goal or trying to meet a deadline…just running toward the next show or something.

The last 3 weeks have been pretty draining. We were in Michigan for a few shows, and then back to Nashville for a couple of days. Pap and I then flew to Las Vegas for my sisters birthday, then to LA for a week. The boys all met up with us toward the end of the week for a show/showacse at LA’s club – The Roxy on that Saturday. Pap and I had our 6th anniversary on that next Sunday (June 13th), so we drove up the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) to “wine country” in California. Then we flew out of LA back to Nashville on Tuesday, and left for Icthus Festival on Wednesday which is in Kentucky. We were there the rest of the week working with EB (Everything Burns Nonprofit), and then the boys drove up to the festival and we played 2 shows last Saturday night!

We’re all back in Nashville now, and it feels like I can finally breathe. We’re going to be taking some time to write, demo new song ideas, work on launching Everything Burns fully with new programs and initiatives and the website…we’re making all new merchandise for both SHIROCK and EB – we’ll also be working on stuff with Irock Clothing… We’ll also be upgrading our touring setup, possibly redoing the live show with some new lighting and sound equipment…lots to do! Oh, and we’ll be releasing the “Still Young” music video and on Rock Band, and starting a radio campaign. Maybe even getting into making a second music video to keep them coming

We’ll be posting videos and all kinds of new content on both SHIROCK.net and the Backstage Site. We’ve got a lot of big plans coming up, and we’re using this time right now to set ourselves up to really well for our upcoming touring.

Anyway, more news coming soon…keep in touch,
love always, Chuck Shirock

These are a few videos taken by our friend Judith in Los Angeles. We played an acoustic set for the staff and a group of men at The Midnight Mission on skid row. We didn’t really know what to expect from the show…but it ended up being one of the most moving performances for us. I didn’t even realize going into it, how much these guys who have spent a large percentage of their lives homeless and wrestling with addictions, would relate to the themes and ideas in these songs. So much of our music is searching and asking questions…trying to figure out where we fit and how to make sense of it all. I remember before we sang “Time Goes By,” I said something about it being about ‘not feeling at home where you’re at…’ all of sudden it hit me – where these guys were and where I am is not so different. Peel away the superficial, and we’re still wrestling with the same things…just different forms. We were all trying to belong, trying to find hope, trying to find ways to pull it together. Persevering and trying to build something – whether it’s building a band, business, a family, or just trying to get on our feet, it’s the same underlying fears and desires.

Playing this music for the men going through the Midnight Mission program breathed new life into this music, and inspired us in so many ways. Here’s a few clips from the set…thanks Judith

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TIME GOES BY:

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STILL YOUNG:

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SILVER:

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DRAG YOU DOWN:

SHIROCK – “Still Young” from the debut album Everything Burns
Written by: Chuck Shirock & Pap Shirock

“Still Young” is a song about trying to find hope when all we felt was doubt and uncertainty…it’s about feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of big ideas and passing time. The song really has nothing to do with age, it’s realizing that as long as we are alive there is still time.

When I (Chuck) started the song (which is how many songs happen—one of us comes up with an initial idea, then we flesh it all out and define it together later), the first lyrics I wrote were the chorus lyrics. A lot of the times we tend to write songs switching perspectives throughout the lyrics. The chorus in this song was written as if I was speaking to Pap, and pretty much captures the central theme of the whole song. She was one of the first people to believe in me, and there is a strong sense of urgency that comes from the weight of trying not to let down the people you care about.

The first verse was also written as if I was talking with Pap. I don’t remember exactly, but I think I wrote those first words very literally, about us fighting. When you’re in a relationship with someone, and also working together on something that you’re both very passionate about, there is bound to be a lot of clashing. The question is not “if” that will happen…it’s how you will react when it happens (and if you will be able to continually start over).

The second half of that verse is written as if I was retelling Pap what I’ve set out to do – to build something that I (with all of my faults, insecurities, and questions) can’t tear down…to build something that will last. The last line was directed at those people who tell you to ‘give up’ on those big ideas you had when you were young. I have always felt like I’ve been left on the outside…this is a song for those of us who feel like “all we need is a chance.”

The second verse starts out like I was talking to myself in the mirror. I try to hold it all together, but—if you really look and if I’m being honest—I’m a broken man. I remember lying in the hammock in our backyard the summer we were working on this song…I was lying there thinking and praying, hoping for some clarity and answers. Not sure what the future held, I was wondering what I was doing and if I would ever achieve my goals. It was an odd mix of being so uncertain but still searching for hope. It started pouring down rain, but I felt so heavy hearted that I just laid there thinking and praying…wondering if “heaven would answer.” Wondering if God could hear me. The last few lines are again talking to Pap. “I don’t want to stand where you can’t stand,” admitting I can’t do this without her. The verse ends with one of my favorite lines of anything I’ve written…probably just because it is so honest and vulnerable. “I’m just a man without your heart, who’s still trying to understand.” Again, I try to pull it all together and act like I’ve got it figured out and it’s all under control. But the truth? Without you, I’m just a man, who at the end of the day is still trying to make sense of it all.

The bridge is admitting that I can’t do it alone. Pap’s singing “There’s only one way out,” and I’m saying I need another chance to make this right.

It ends like the day in the hammock ended…learning to be hopeful in the midst of uncertainty. Which I think we’ve realized is the way most of life is.

So we’ve been on the road for a little over a week now. We left Nashville & headed to Austin, TX for SXSW – the music festival. We had great & productive time while in Austin. The only misstep was when (during our performance) I slammed my acoustic guitar into my head, bled everywhere & had to get 3 stitches. Beyond that the whole SXSW 09 experience was good.

After Austin we left and stopped for a night in Phoenix, AZ with Adam’s aunt, then went on to San Diego for a night with my sister Sarah (www.shirockphotos.com) and her boy friend Duane. It’s always amazing in the midst of touring to have moments of peace & room to breathe. Though we’ve a lot going on, the evening in San Diego was that for me.

From there we drove up to Los Angeles yesterday, where we spent the entire afternoon/evening loading in and sound checking for our first network TV appearance on Beta Record TV – which airs nation-wide (US) on major networks in over 200,000,000 homes!

After getting a few hours of rest Pap & I launched into an interview for the TV show, followed by our performances. We did 3 songs – “Say It Out,” “Time Goes By,” & “Still Young.” They will only end up using 1 of the performances for the TV show, and the other 2 will be online somewhere.

It’s nice to be back in LA for a bit. As I’ve said before, we really love it out here. It’s fun to be out here with the whole band…Pap & I usually end up our here alone.

Be sure to check out our Kyte TV Channel – you can link to it on the right menu bar on this page…we’re posting mobile videos right as we take them during this whole trip. Leave us comments & be in touch!

Also, check out @SHIROCK on Twitter for real-time tour updates and photos! Visit http://twitter.com/shirock for more information.

Love: Chuck Shirock

We hit a patch of black ice in Pittsburgh PA. Our van slid a couple hundred yards before colliding with another vehicle. The van and trailer jackknifed across three lanes of traffic. No one in the van was injured. The show must go on – see you on the next stop of the Everything Burns tour.

The ice crash.

We’re on the road between Pittsburgh, PA and Richmond, VA for our show tonight.  This has been both a really good tour and a hard one.  It’s been amazing to to be back out on the road and seeing & meeting fans.  We’re in a strange place right now…in some cities we have hundreds of people out to the shows and in some we have 6  :)

Either way we do our best.  It’s an odd growing phase right now.  Derek is driving right now, I’m in the passenger seat & everyone else is in the back.  Pap is somewhere between Ohio and Richmond – her grandma passed away and she flew home this morning to attend the funeral and she’s meeting up with us at the venue this evening.  Last night we got in a little car accident sliding on some intense ice in Pittsburgh, PA.  It was snowing, then quickly melted & froze covering everything in a sheet of ice…not good for driving a big van & trailer!  

We finally were towed out of the mess last night and got a few hours of sleep before driving on.  On this tour we’re partnering with local charities in each city that are working to solve the homelessness & poverty issues in their area.  It’s been amazing to learn more about what’s going on in the US and what we can do about it.  The people we meet from many of these charities are inspiring.  We’re excited to be a part of a change and a movement.  It’s all a work in progress but it always is with us  :)  

We never quite get it all together when we plan on…but we will soon.  SHIROCK.net & Everythingburns.org will be launching soon, with all kinds of information.  

Also if you didn’t already see, our record “Everything Burns” is up on iTunes internationally now, and we need some reviews!  We’d love to hear your thoughts on the songs, so if you use iTunes please get on there and review it for us.  visit us here on iTunes:  iTunes / SHIROCK / Everything Burns

Be in touch, and we’ll see you soon.
Love: Chuck Shirock