In 2012, Grace publicly came out as transgender. After a long period of line-up changes and uncertainty surrounding the band's future, their sixth studio album, Transgender Dysphoria Blues, was released independently in January 2014 to critical acclaim. The band's seventh album, Shape Shift with Me, was released in 2016. In addition, the band have four well known EPs: Crime as Forgiven by Against Me!, The Acoustic EP, The Disco Before the Breakdown, and New Wave B-Sides. They have released numerous singles, two live albums, and demo versions of the three of their studio albums.
Band members:
Laura Jane Grace – vocals, guitar
James Bowman – lead guitar
Andrew Seward – bass
Atom Willard – drums
Former members:
Kevin Mahon – drums (1998–2001)
Dustin Fridkin – bass (2000–2002)
Warren Oakes – drums (2001–2009)
George Rebelo – drums (2009–2010)
Jay Weinberg – drums (2010–2012)
Inge Johansson – bass (2013–2018)
Discography:
• Reinventing Axl Rose (2002)
• As the Eternal Cowboy (2003)
• Searching for a Former Clarity (2005)
• New Wave (2007)
• White Crosses (2010)
• Transgender Dysphoria Blues (2014)
• Shape Shift with Me (2016)
Bamboo Bones
Against Me! Lyrics
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Don't let them tell you who you are.
Doesn't matter where you come from,
You'll always have a floor to sleep on.
And you have your bamboo bones,
Nervous energy,
Blind ambition,
Skin of your teeth.
With every word and every breath.
What god doesn't give to you,
You've got to go and get for yourself.
I'm embarrassed to admit it,
I've got no grip.
I'm leading with my jaw.
Can you see it from a distance?
Does it look ridiculous?
I guess that's just what I have to live with.
Still I have a mind to think,
Knees to break,
You standing beside me.
I'm going to push back, push back, push back,
With every word and every breath.
What god doesn't give to you,
You've got to go and get for yourself.
The lyrics of the song “Bamboo Bones” by Against Me! is a motivational anthem that encourages the listener to persevere through hard times, to fight against anyone who tries to bring them down, and to push themselves to pursue their dreams despite obstacles they might face. The lyrics speak about not letting people define you or break you, regardless of where you come from. The bamboo bones referenced in the song could be interpreted as a metaphor for resilience, symbolizing how even the most fragile-looking things can be incredibly sturdy and hard to break. The lines "What god doesn't give to you, you've got to go and get for yourself" is about taking control of your own life and not relying on anyone or anything else to succeed.
The song’s chorus has a powerful message that urges to keep pushing even when the going gets tough. The phrase "push back" repeated throughout the chorus is an indication that one has to keep fighting and not back down. The phrase "With every word and every breath" suggests that the struggle is continuous and demands a relentless fighting spirit. The line "I’m embarrassed to admit it, I’ve got no grip, I’m leading with my jaw, can you see it from a distance, does it look ridiculous?" is a personal admission of beating, with the singer acknowledging their vulnerability even as they head towards their goals. The line also presents an image of the journey’s vulnerability, and the importance of being surrounded by the right people or team.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't let them break you.
Don't allow anyone to shatter your self-worth or spirit.
Don't let them tell you who you are.
Do not let anyone dictate your beliefs or identity.
Doesn't matter where you come from,
You'll always have a floor to sleep on.
Regardless of your origins, you will always find a place to rest your body and lay your head.
And you have your bamboo bones,
Nervous energy,
Blind ambition,
Skin of your teeth.
You possess a strong foundation and mental fortitude, coupled with anxiety and a zealous drive. Barely scraping by through adversity.
Push back, push back, push back,
With every word and every breath.
Fight back against adversity with determination and conviction in everything you say or do.
What god doesn't give to you,
You've got to go and get for yourself.
You must work hard to attain what you desire, sometimes even when it is not handed to you.
I'm embarrassed to admit it,
I've got no grip.
I am ashamed to confess that I have no control over my situation.
I'm leading with my jaw.
Can you see it from a distance?
Does it look ridiculous?
I guess that's just what I have to live with.
I am being too aggressive and impulsive in my actions. It may seem foolish, but it is who I am and what I must deal with.
Still I have a mind to think,
Knees to break,
You standing beside me.
Despite my recklessness, I am capable of rational thought and sentiment. I am willing to put forth great effort to achieve my goals, even if it may hurt me physically or mentally, and you will support me through it all.
I'm going to push back, push back, push back,
With every word and every breath.
I am going to stand up for myself and resist any and all opposition with perseverance and determination.
What god doesn't give to you,
You've got to go and get for yourself.
You have to work hard for what you want in life, even when it seems unlikely, and never give up on your pursuits.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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