Future Loves Past @ The Rogue Bar

It's common for a song lyric to mean one thing to the audience and a very different thing to the performer. Not sure what Led Zeppelin is babbling about specifically? It's probably something horny and fantastical. Other times, nonsensical lyrics end up illustrating some deep insight. "I Am the Walrus,"...

By Christina Caldwell

April 5, 2012

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It's common for a song lyric to mean one thing to the audience and a very different thing to the performer. Not sure what Led Zeppelin is babbling about specifically? It's probably something horny and fantastical. Other times, nonsensical lyrics end up illustrating some deep insight. "I Am the Walrus," anyone? The theme of Tempe-based rock 'n' roll band Future Loves Past's latest single, "Seekers," seems glaringly obvious, with its idealistic hippie jam-circle vibe, rife with tribal percussive elements, chanting vocals, and sunny perspective. It's what you'd expect from a local band whose success banks on the fact that they don't get too heavy — they just jam. But if you ask composer Eric Palmer, it's a different story all together. "'Seekers' is inspired by a feeling of impending doom for a society that oppresses free thoughts and ideas," Palmer told New Times' Melissa Fossum. A little heady, sure, but can you blame the guy? We can think of more than a few examples of highly publicized free thought oppression from just this year, let alone through the decades. Future Loves Past shows that you can keep it light while talking heavy subjects, even if it doesn't resonate with listeners automatically. They're fighting the power — slowly.

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