Bad Religion
Bad Religion is a punk rock band from Los Angeles, California, known for the social commentary in their lyrics. The band was formed in 1979 by high school students Greg Graffin (vocals), Jay Bentley (bass guitar), Jay Ziskrout (drums), and Brett Gurewitz (guitar). In 1981, they released their eponymous debut EP on their own newly-formed label, Epitaph, managed and owned by Gurewitz. 1982 saw the release of their first full-length album, How Could Hell be Any Worse?, which gained them a sizable following. Read Full BioBad Religion is a punk rock band from Los Angeles, California, known for the social commentary in their lyrics. The band was formed in 1979 by high school students Greg Graffin (vocals), Jay Bentley (bass guitar), Jay Ziskrout (drums), and Brett Gurewitz (guitar). In 1981, they released their eponymous debut EP on their own newly-formed label, Epitaph, managed and owned by Gurewitz. 1982 saw the release of their first full-length album, How Could Hell be Any Worse?, which gained them a sizable following. During the recording, Ziskrout left the band and was replaced by Peter Finestone.
Greg Graffin, the band's frontman, holds a Master's degree in geology from UCLA and a Ph.D. in zoology from Cornell University. His dissertation for Cornell was a comprehensive study of how modern scientists, especially those who believe in strict Darwinism, view theism and religion, and how their own religious beliefs, if any, affect their study and work. He has since published it for fans of the band.
In 1983, Bad Religion released into the unknown, a keyboard-driven psychedelic rock album that was enormously unpopular among the band's core fan base. It is now out of print, and generally disowned by the band. However, in past years it has become a collectors item, and has gained some acceptance from fans. It now can be seen going for more than $100 on eBay, and is often pirated.
In 1984, Greg Hetson (Circle Jerks) replaced Gurewitz. Bad Religion returned to a somewhat mellower, rock and roll version of their original sound with the back to the known, but they disbanded soon after.
The band reformed in 1987 and released suffer in 1988, cementing their comeback in the punk community. Not only is this album considered one of their best by most fans, but it is often credited with "saving" the Southern Californian punk rock scene by fans and Bad Religion's contemporaries alike.
no control (1989) and against the grain (1990) further increased the band's popularity, followed by generator (1992). Before the recording sessions for the latter album commenced, drummer Pete Finestone left the band in to focus on his other band, The Fishermen. Bobby Schayer joined the band as his replacement. recipe for hate (1993) followed shortly thereafter.
With alternative rock breaking into the mainstream, Bad Religion left Epitaph for major label Atlantic and quickly re-released Recipe for Hate on the major label. 1994's stranger than fiction followed, but shortly after its release Brett Gurewitz left the band again. Officially, he cited the increasing amount of time he was spending at Epitaph's offices as the Offspring (then a part of the Epitaph roster) became one of the biggest bands of the mid-1990s. But it was well-known that the departure was not on good terms, as he later accused the band of selling out for leaving Epitaph in favor of a major label. Gurewitz recorded a song with his new band The Daredevils entitled "Hate You," reportedly directed towards Jay Bentley. Gurewitz, moreover, was struggling more seriously with heroin and other addictions that had plagued him for years.
Gurewitz was replaced by Brian Baker, former member of bands such as Minor Threat and Dag Nasty. Previously, Graffin and Gurewitz had split songwriting duties, but Gurewitz's departure left Graffin as the band's lone songwriter.
What followed were a series of moderately successful albums, the gray race (1996), no substance (1998), and the new america (2000). As their popularity waned, Bad Religion left Atlantic in 2001 and returned to Epitaph. Bobby Schayer left the band following a serious shoulder injury and was replaced by Brooks Wackerman (Suicidal Tendencies) and Brett Gurewitz rejoined the band in time to record the process of belief (2002). the empire strikes first was in June 2004. Both albums are widely regarded as a return to form for the band.
In 2004, the band released digitally-remastered versions of five of their early albums (How Could Hell Be Any Worse?, Suffer, No Control, Against the Grain, and Generator). The How Could Hell Be Any Worse? re-issue also contained all of their first EP, the Public Service EP (alternative versions of Bad Religion, Slaves and Drastic Actions from the self titled EP) and Back To The Known.
Bad Religion's fourtheenth full-length studio album, titled new maps of hell, was released on July 10, 2007. It debuted at #35 on the U.S. Billboard 200, selling about 21,000 copies in its first week. It was originally intended to be released in 2006, but was pushed back largely due to the release of Graffin's second solo album, cold as the clay and his work at UCLA.
In 2010, Bad Religion released 30 Years Live for the band's 30th anniversary. The album was available for free to subscribers of the Bad Religion mailing list. Later the same year, Bad Religion released their fifteenth studio album, The Dissent of Man. The album took nearly two years to write and record, mainly due to the band's heavy touring schedule.
Brett Gurewitz, who still heads Epitaph Records, still records with the band and plays local shows, but doesn't tour with them. Greg Hetson can still be found at the occasional Circle Jerks show and helped open a bar in LA. Wackerman is working on a side project called The Kidneys. Graffin spends 10 weeks a year teaching two classes (Life Sciences 1 and Earth and Space Sciences 116) at UCLA. Jay Bentley keeps the Bad Religion MySpace page updated.
Greg Graffin, the band's frontman, holds a Master's degree in geology from UCLA and a Ph.D. in zoology from Cornell University. His dissertation for Cornell was a comprehensive study of how modern scientists, especially those who believe in strict Darwinism, view theism and religion, and how their own religious beliefs, if any, affect their study and work. He has since published it for fans of the band.
In 1983, Bad Religion released into the unknown, a keyboard-driven psychedelic rock album that was enormously unpopular among the band's core fan base. It is now out of print, and generally disowned by the band. However, in past years it has become a collectors item, and has gained some acceptance from fans. It now can be seen going for more than $100 on eBay, and is often pirated.
In 1984, Greg Hetson (Circle Jerks) replaced Gurewitz. Bad Religion returned to a somewhat mellower, rock and roll version of their original sound with the back to the known, but they disbanded soon after.
The band reformed in 1987 and released suffer in 1988, cementing their comeback in the punk community. Not only is this album considered one of their best by most fans, but it is often credited with "saving" the Southern Californian punk rock scene by fans and Bad Religion's contemporaries alike.
no control (1989) and against the grain (1990) further increased the band's popularity, followed by generator (1992). Before the recording sessions for the latter album commenced, drummer Pete Finestone left the band in to focus on his other band, The Fishermen. Bobby Schayer joined the band as his replacement. recipe for hate (1993) followed shortly thereafter.
With alternative rock breaking into the mainstream, Bad Religion left Epitaph for major label Atlantic and quickly re-released Recipe for Hate on the major label. 1994's stranger than fiction followed, but shortly after its release Brett Gurewitz left the band again. Officially, he cited the increasing amount of time he was spending at Epitaph's offices as the Offspring (then a part of the Epitaph roster) became one of the biggest bands of the mid-1990s. But it was well-known that the departure was not on good terms, as he later accused the band of selling out for leaving Epitaph in favor of a major label. Gurewitz recorded a song with his new band The Daredevils entitled "Hate You," reportedly directed towards Jay Bentley. Gurewitz, moreover, was struggling more seriously with heroin and other addictions that had plagued him for years.
Gurewitz was replaced by Brian Baker, former member of bands such as Minor Threat and Dag Nasty. Previously, Graffin and Gurewitz had split songwriting duties, but Gurewitz's departure left Graffin as the band's lone songwriter.
What followed were a series of moderately successful albums, the gray race (1996), no substance (1998), and the new america (2000). As their popularity waned, Bad Religion left Atlantic in 2001 and returned to Epitaph. Bobby Schayer left the band following a serious shoulder injury and was replaced by Brooks Wackerman (Suicidal Tendencies) and Brett Gurewitz rejoined the band in time to record the process of belief (2002). the empire strikes first was in June 2004. Both albums are widely regarded as a return to form for the band.
In 2004, the band released digitally-remastered versions of five of their early albums (How Could Hell Be Any Worse?, Suffer, No Control, Against the Grain, and Generator). The How Could Hell Be Any Worse? re-issue also contained all of their first EP, the Public Service EP (alternative versions of Bad Religion, Slaves and Drastic Actions from the self titled EP) and Back To The Known.
Bad Religion's fourtheenth full-length studio album, titled new maps of hell, was released on July 10, 2007. It debuted at #35 on the U.S. Billboard 200, selling about 21,000 copies in its first week. It was originally intended to be released in 2006, but was pushed back largely due to the release of Graffin's second solo album, cold as the clay and his work at UCLA.
In 2010, Bad Religion released 30 Years Live for the band's 30th anniversary. The album was available for free to subscribers of the Bad Religion mailing list. Later the same year, Bad Religion released their fifteenth studio album, The Dissent of Man. The album took nearly two years to write and record, mainly due to the band's heavy touring schedule.
Brett Gurewitz, who still heads Epitaph Records, still records with the band and plays local shows, but doesn't tour with them. Greg Hetson can still be found at the occasional Circle Jerks show and helped open a bar in LA. Wackerman is working on a side project called The Kidneys. Graffin spends 10 weeks a year teaching two classes (Life Sciences 1 and Earth and Space Sciences 116) at UCLA. Jay Bentley keeps the Bad Religion MySpace page updated.
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American Jesus
Bad Religion Lyrics
I don't need to be a global citizen
Because I'm blessed by nationality
I'm member of a growing populace
We enforce our popularity
There are things that seem to pull us under
And there are things that drag us down
But there's a power and a vital presence
That's lurking all around
We've got the American Jesus
See Him on the interstate
We've got the American Jesus
He helped build the president's estate
I feel sorry for the earth's population
'Cause so few live in the USA
At least the foreigners can copy our morality
They can visit but they cannot stay
Only precious few can garner the prosperity
It makes us walk with renewed confidence
We've got a place to go when we die
And the architect resides right here
We've got the American Jesus
Fostering their shame on faith
We've got the American Jesus
Overwhelming millions every day
He's the farmers barren fields
The force the army wields
The expression in the faces of the starving millions
The power of the man he's the fuel that drives the clan
He's the motive and conscience of the murderer
He's the preacher on TV, the false sincerity
The form letter that's written by the big computers
The nuclear bombs and the kids with no moms
And I'm fearful that He's inside me
We've got the American Jesus
See Him on the interstate
We've got the American Jesus
Exercising His authority
We've got the American Jesus
Fostering their shame on faith
We've got the American Jesus
Overwhelming millions every day, yeah
(One nation, under God, one nation, under God, one nation, under God)
(One nation, under God, one nation, under God, one nation, under God)
(One nation, under God, one nation, under God, one nation, under God)
(One nation, under God, one nation, under God)
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRETT W. GUREWITZ, GREG GRAFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them
onevlovf
I don't need to be a global citizen
'Cause I'm blessed by nationality
I'm a member of a growing populace
We enforce our popularity
There are things that seem to pull us under and
There are things that drag us down
But there's a power and a vital presence
That's lurking all around
We've got the American Jesus
See him on the interstate
We've got the American Jesus
He helped build the president's estate
I feel sorry for the earth's population
'Cause so few live in the USA
At least the foreigners can copy our morality
They can visit but they cannot stay
Only precious few can garner the prosperity
It makes us walk with renewed confidence
We've got a place to go when we die
And the architect resides right here
We've got the American Jesus
Bolstering national faith
We've got the American Jesus
Overwhelming millions every day
He's the farmers' barren fields (in God)
The force the army wields (we trust!)
The expression on the faces of the starving millions (because he's one of us)
The power of the man (breakdown!)
The fuel that drives the Klan (cave in!)
He's the motive and the conscience of the murderer (he can redeem your sin)
He's the preacher on TV (strong heart!)
The false sincerity (clear mind!)
The form letter that's written by the big computers (and infinitely kind)
The nuclear bombs (you lose!)
The kids with no moms (we win!)
And I'm fearful that he's inside me (he is our champion!) Yeah!
We've got the American Jesus
See him on the interstate (we've got the American Jesus)
We've got the American Jesus
Exercising his authority
We've got the American Jesus
Bolstering national faith (we've got the American Jesus)
We've got the American Jesus
Overwhelming millions every day, yeah!
One nation under God
One nation under God
One nation under God
One nation under God
One nation under God
One nation under God
One nation under God
One nation under God
One nation under God
One nation under God
Fabian Knipper
Not true money, see it real, what you can do, your money is your energy,
take too much lost, died... Because the body cannot make this money,
some more than 5 person, never you can work for 10 if you killed not
payable... Coona ist ernst, wie HIV, Treue hilft, was man anfasst ist
auch verbindlich, die Zäeit bleibt... Two things that you don't do, as a
person you should never part
after sex and never murder ... Because murder and separation are not affordable
are, that's natural law ... Abortion is murder from 12 hours? Protection,
Pill destroys the egg or fertilization externally 10000 times, then
sterile, you 100,000 times ... Everyone has the right to partner, not
absolutely on children ... I experience that religions often teach murder and
Breakups, if something like that happened, then ask, can you do it
survive, a separation costs 1 million euros, you can if you have a
Heart earned two eyes at least 5 million, I had two without
Condom pls and a half, that would be 2.5 million, almost dead, no me
Used 20,000 calories and 4 liters of water, then maybe I have 8
Earned millions, limit 10 million, everything else is
Fake values, virtual money, so a billadaire doesn't give more than
6 million in 50 years, then he would be dead, even with murder and
Separations, teach religions, yes, deism is better, after marriage none
Breakup, if it happens then see how to survive it.
Pregnancies from others, sperm donation, are not adultery,
Neither does masturbation, be careful with something like that, but that's how it is ...
Donor
has no right to the children ... abuse because of that, better is two
Children or no and no sperm donation, egg donation or children
Saliva, etc ... sex is no fun, prostitution, 50 euros 20 minutes,
if a woman does that 10 times she owes 10 million, so dead, can
one doesn't deserve bogus fraud, better if prostitution child
unsubscribe, be alone or get married, at the latest after the third time ...
Sex is so priceless ... erotic, yes, or peepshow, but be careful,
Coruna, touching is mandatory and expensive ... Thai massage or doctor
visit in pairs and with gloves ...
Polygamy is priceless
mostly, exceptions, not the goal ... righteous monogamous ... You can
everything in the Koran or in the Bible, Moses and so on, is natural law ...
Murder is infinitely in debt, irreplaceable, drove two children to death,
Life took its guilt, even with abortion, you can
compensate? What is threat www.fabiusknipper.wg. is deism
well, without religion, don't forget natural law, separations are common
not affordable, you need four eyes and two hearts and scary
Vierl energy, that can be fatal, limits ... Had self
Separations, two, five times without a condom, 25 times sex petting, for example ...
100 hours in 40 years am 8 years chaste ... So, I can in
Go to mosques or something or churches, pray, but I'm not stepping anywhere
firmly a ... learned from it, many do, in religions, that
The
opposite of what natural law says, i.e. the Bible, the Koran, etc ...
Paradise is real, but not when psychosomatics is broken, then physical
perfection is no longer possible ... grace? Priceless, murder
irreversible ... No money in the world is enough! Ich hab Rente 150 Euro
und 16 Euro Tag bis 2045, suche dann Treue, weiss noch nicht wie, aber
Schulden wegen Mord oder trennung habe ich nicht mehr, aber trotzdem
so... Man hat oft Jahrelang gar keine Sex, wenn sowas passiert, oder
träumt auf Friedhof, da kommt wer, man sieht nicht, macht
Selbstbefriedigung, zum beispiel, das ist wer, auch nicht körperlich
anwesend, ying yang... Tiermord kann man bezahlen, in Kauf nehmen, Mord nicht... Im Kriegsfall ist Heidentum... Iy you do prostition with violence or with violence medicine and you cut relation you hav to pay, you can call justice or police do not matter, many who do prostitution died... Oct vier Paradies with body is real, vgl... Zeugen... But not so...
Ita Grgić
I don't need to be a global citizen
Because I'm blessed by nationality
I'm a member of a growing populace
We enforce our popularity
There are things that seem to pull us under
And there are things that drag us down
But there's a power and a vital presence
That's lurking all around
We've got the American Jesus
See him on the interstate
We've got the American Jesus
He helped build the president's estate
I feel sorry for the earth's population
'Cause so few live in the U.S.A.
At least the foreigners can copy our morality
They can visit but they cannot stay
Only precious few can garner the prosperity
It makes us walk with renewed confidence
We've got a place to go when we die
And the architect resides right here
We've got the American Jesus
Bolstering national faith
We've got the American Jesus
Overwhelming millions every day
He's the farmer's barren fields
(In God)
The force the army wields
(We trust)
The expression on the faces of the starving millions
(Because he's one of us)
The power of the man
(Breakdown)
He's the fuel that drives the Klan
(Cave in)
He's the motive and conscience of the murderer
(He can redeem your sin)
He's the preacher on T.V.
(Strong heart)
The false sincerity
(Clear mind)
The form letter that's written by the big computers
(And infinitely kind)
The nuclear bombs
(You lose)
The kids with no moms
(We win)
And I'm fearful that he's inside me
(He is our champion)
Yeah, we've got the American Jesus
See him on the interstate
(We've got the American Jesus)
We've got the American Jesus
Exercising his authority
We've got the American Jesus
Bolstering national faith
(We've got the American Jesus)
We've got the American Jesus
Overwhelming millions every day
(One nation under God)
(One nation under God)
(One nation under God)
(One nation under God)
(One nation under God)
(One nation under God)
(One nation under God)
(One nation under God)
(One nation under God)
(One nation under God)
doro man
I don't need to be a global citizen
'Cause I'm blessed by nationality
I'm a member of a growing populace
We enforce our popularity
There are things that seem to pull us under and
There are things that drag us down
But there's a power and a vital presence
That's lurking all around
We've got the American Jesus
See him on the interstate
We've got the American Jesus
He helped build the president's estate
I feel sorry for the earth's population
'Cause so few live in the U.S.A.
At least the foreigners can copy our morality
They can visit but they cannot stay
Only precious few can garner the prosperity
It makes us walk with renewed confidence
We've got a place to go when we die
And the architect resides right here
We've got the American Jesus
Bolstering national faith
We've got the American Jesus
Overwhelming millions every day
He's the farmers barren fields (in God)
The force the army wields (we trust)
The expression on the faces of the starving millions (because he's one of us)
The power of the damned, the fuel that drives the clan (break down, cave in)
The motive and the conscience of the murderer (he can redeem your sin)
He's the preacher on TV, the false sincerity (strong heart, clear mind)
The form letter that's written by the big computers (and infinitely kind)
He's the nuclear bombs, the kids with no moms (you lose, we win)
And I'm fearful that he's inside me, yeah (he is our champion)
We've got the American Jesus
See him on the interstate (we've got the American Jesus)
We've got the American Jesus
Exercising his authority
We've got the American Jesus
Bolstering national faith (we've got the American Jesus)
We've got the American Jesus
Overwhelming millions every day, fuck you
One nation under God
One nation under God
One nation under God
One nation under God
One nation under God
One nation under God
Fiqkyy
Lyrics
I don't need to be a global citizen
Because I'm blessed by nationality
I'm member of a growing populace
We enforce our popularity
There are things that seem to pull us under
And there are things that drag us down
But there's a power and a vital presence
That's lurking all around
We've got the American Jesus
See him on the interstate
We've got the American Jesus
He helped build the president's estate
I feel sorry for the earth's population
'Cause so few live in the U.S.A.
At least the foreigners can copy our morality
They can visit but they cannot stay
Only precious few can garner the prosperity
It makes us walk with renewed confidence
We've got a place to go when we die
And the architect resides right here
We've got the American Jesus
Fostering their shame on faith
We've got the American Jesus
Overwhelming millions every day
He's the farmers barren fields
The force the army wields
The expression in the faces of the starving millions
The power of the man he's the fuel that drives the clan
He's the motive and conscience of the murderer
He's the preacher on t.v., the false sincerity
The form letter that's written by the big computers
The nuclear bombs and the kids with no moms
And I'm fearful that he's inside me
We've got the American Jesus
See him on the interstate
We've got the American Jesus
Exercising his authority
We've got the American Jesus
Fostering their shame on faith
We've got the American Jesus
Overwhelming millions every day, eah
One nation, under god. One nation, under god. One nation, under god.
One nation, under god. One nation, under god. One nation, under god.
One nation, under god. One nation, under god. One nation, under god.
One nation, under god. One nation, under god.
Tyrannosaurus Zeppelin
I won't exist without Bad Religion. Literally, my mum and dad met at a Bad Religion forum online and get to knew eachother through that. Had Bad Religion not existed, I wouldn't exist as well.
TheBentanator
that's tough
Brock Miller
You have some cool parents mine are just republicans who met in the military
John Ross
Dude that is so deep!!! Its so deep and true. Cool!!
Duckway
@Сергей З. geez bro dark humor
I like it
Raymond McElmon
Probably not the first time a kid has been born as a result of a bad religion...
マナ・サウンド[mana-sound]
I am Japanese, I love Bad Religion,This song is also very popular in Japan,There are a lot of great punk bands in America.
steurun
ミドリが好きだ。
Duckway
@Casbah 207 people here see people who listen to punk as either rebellious children or drugged metal heads, unfortunately.
Boris Sladakovic
X-japan the greatest band on earth 🌎