When I was 21 my Grandpa (my dad’s dad) died. Almost a year to the date later, my dad unexpectedly suffered cardiac arrest and passed away without a blink of the eye. This was February 11th, 2009 and I was only 22-years-old. I was at my San Diego home when my brother called me and told me I had to come home. At first I thought he was joking. I mean, why else would he call me telling me to drop everything, grab my dog and drive home… Then I heard my mom in the background telling me to call my work and tell them I wouldn’t be there, just come home, we’ll explain when you get here…
That was the phone call that changed my life forever.
So I grabbed a few things and my puppy and headed out for the hour and a half drive of painstaking mystery… what was wrong? What if it was my other brother, I didn’t hear his voice? No… it couldn’t be my dad… could it?
Who was there for me for what seemed to be the longest drive of my life?—Paramore.
I know that sounds cliché, but it’s the cold hard truth. The passion in Hayley’s vocals as she sang lines like “somewhere weakness is our strength / and I’ll die searching for it” are the moments that kept me driving… that kept me sane… that kept me alive.
Less than a year later I lost an uncle on my mom’s side, my mom lost the house we all grew up in - the house my father built - and my childhood dog passed… Needless to say, “weak” was an understatement to the downward spiral that had become my life… but somewhere, in the midst of all that had overshadowed my happiness, weakness became my strength.. That line will forever be the anthem to all of life’s injustices, yours and mine alike.
“Let The Flames Begin” is the power anthem of my growth. Who I was and who I am becoming. And for that I am forever grateful to this band. This band that stuck together through their own struggles and weaknesses. This band that has never forgotten their fans sticking by them every step of the way. This band that is determined to change a life with as little as a single lyric.
Over the past 8-or-so years of Paramore soundtracking my life, they have always been there for me. I owe a lot to the songs that they have created—the songs that can change my mood with a single listen.
So this is my tribute to them…the real Paramore. The three that stand so strong while facing their ‘monsters’ and staring weakness in the face. Because…
Somewhere weakness is our strength. And I’ll die searching for it.
To Hayley, Jeremy and Taylor… thank you.
- Lindsay
Tattoo details: Paramore design from their shirt for the song “Monster” I just loved the stance they are in.. strong. fearless. the trio…
The font for “Somewhere weakness is our strength” is inspired by the album artwork for Riot! that “Let The Flames Begin” is on.
Done at Dreams In Ink Tattoo in Moreno Valley, CA by Jason.
