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.
American Jesus
Bad Religion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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)
The song 'American Jesus' by Bad Religion is a satirical take on America's obsession with power and nationalism, specifically the idea that America's economic/military power and its Christian values are intertwined. The opening lines convey a sense of pride and entitlement felt by many Americans, as the singer asserts that he feels no need to be a 'global citizen' since he is 'blessed by nationality'. He acknowledges the struggles that people face, but posits that the 'American Jesus' is the force that keeps people going. The chorus repeats the phrase 'We've got the American Jesus', implying that America's power and influence stem from some divine source.
The second verse touches upon a common belief among some Americans that their country is superior to others and that other countries are somehow inferior to America. The outsiders may never have the same opportunities as Americans, but they can still look up to and emulate American values. The third verse delves into the darker side of America's power, highlighting atrocities committed in the name of American sovereignty, such as war and nuclear weapons. The singer then expresses fear that he too might be unknowingly complicit in America's actions.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't need to be a global citizen
I don't have to be a citizen of the world
Because I'm blessed by nationality
Because I'm lucky to be born in a certain country
I'm member of a growing populace
I am one of many people in my country
We enforce our popularity
We make sure that we stay popular
There are things that seem to pull us under
There are things that can bring us down
And there are things that drag us down
And there are things that can hold us back
But there's a power and a vital presence
But there is a force that gives us strength
That's lurking all around
That is always present
We've got the American Jesus
We have a version of Jesus that is uniquely American
See Him on the interstate
We see Him everywhere
He helped build the president's estate
He played a role in creating what we associate with the presidency
I feel sorry for the earth's population
I pity people who are not from the USA
'Cause so few live in the USA
Because not many people are privileged enough to live here
At least the foreigners can copy our morality
At least people from other countries can learn from our values
They can visit but they cannot stay
They can only be tourists, not residents
Only precious few can garner the prosperity
Only a select few can truly prosper in this country
It makes us walk with renewed confidence
It gives us a sense of pride and assurance
We've got a place to go when we die
We believe that we have an afterlife
And the architect resides right here
And the divine creator is seen as being an American
Fostering their shame on faith
Using religion to shame people
Overwhelming millions every day
Influencing and impacting people on a massive scale
He's the farmers barren fields
He is both the cause and solution to problems
The force the army wields
He is invoked to support the military
The expression in the faces of the starving millions
The power and influence of religion is felt even in suffering
The power of the man he's the fuel that drives the clan
He is what motivates and unites people
He's the motive and conscience of the murderer
Even evil actions can be attributed to him
He's the preacher on TV, the false sincerity
He is used and abused for personal gain
The form letter that's written by the big computers
He is used in mass communication and advertising
The nuclear bombs and the kids with no moms
He is invoked in topics of war, suffering, and loss
And I'm fearful that He's inside me
And I'm scared that I too am influenced by him
Exercising His authority
Using His power to enforce His will
(One nation, under God, one nation, under God, one nation, under God)
Repeating a nationalistic slogan
(One nation, under God, one nation, under God)
Repeating a nationalistic slogan
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRETT W. GUREWITZ, GREG GRAFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Wow
on You
Everybody needs a slogan in their pocket or two
It never hurts to have a strategy you can go to
Sometimes I have no sense at all
As most flawed men are one to do
Just say fuck you
Pavlovian rude
A menace too
Pay homage to
Your bad attitude
You can even get cerebral if you want to
Make a radical assessment that sticks like glue
Sometimes it takes no thought at all
The easiest thing to do
Is say fuck you
Pavlovian rude
A menace too
Pay homage to
Your bad attitude
The reaction it brings, just one of those things
Your friends might not want you around
If the impulse is right you might get in a fight
Even though you can't hold your ground
But all rest assured, sometimes just a word
Is the most satisfying sound
Sometimes it makes no sense at all
The easiest thing to do
Is say fuck you
Pavlovian rude
A menace too
Pay homage to your bad attitude
Just say fuck you
What you gonna do to your attitude
Just say fuck you
Wtf is this shit, what retard wrote the wrong spng down….