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)
Piss and Vinegar
Against Me! Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Publicity photos in magazines; oh, none of it makes me feel anything
I would be lying to you if I did not say something that would make me feel like a politician
A middle-of-the-road opinion no one finds offensive or challenging
I'm not interested; the stage is not a pedestal
I don't think you're bad people, I just think that your aesthetic is horrible
Please treat me with the same respect and candor; I would appreciate the honesty
Whoa, whoa, whoa, just say what you're thinking
Say what you're really thinking
Whoa, whoa, whoa, just say what you're thinking
Say what you're really thinking
Say what you're thinking!
The lyrics of "Piss and Vinegar" by Against Me! revolve around the singer's dislike for the current state of the music industry. The singer acknowledges that they have heard about the band and seen their publicity photos, but none of it makes them feel anything. They then go on to admit that they would be lying if they said something just to be politically correct and not offend anyone, which is a nod to the tendency to sugarcoat or beat around the bush in polite conversation.
The singer then directly addresses the band, reassuring them that they are not bad people, but their aesthetic is "horrible". They ask to be treated with honesty and candor, wanting less professionalism and more confrontation. The repeated refrain of "say what you're really thinking" emphasizes the singer's frustration with the lack of authenticity in the music industry and a desire for genuine connections between artists and their audience.
Overall, the song offers a critique of the manufactured and sanitized image that many mainstream artists present to the public, encouraging more honest and direct communication. Against Me!'s punk rock sound reinforces this sentiment of rejecting the status quo and promoting individuality.
Line by Line Meaning
I heard the hype about your band, I've seen your video playing on the TV
I've heard and seen everything about your band, but none of it has had an impact on me.
Publicity photos in magazines; oh, none of it makes me feel anything
Even the photos I see of your band in magazines don't give me any strong feelings or interest.
I would be lying to you if I did not say something that would make me feel like a politician
I don't want to give a middle-of-the-road opinion just to please you or avoid offending anyone.
A middle-of-the-road opinion no one finds offensive or challenging
I'm not interested in giving a bland opinion that is aimed at pleasing everyone and challenging no one.
I'm not interested; the stage is not a pedestal
I'm not impressed by your fame or talent, and I don't think being on stage makes you a better person.
I don't think you're bad people, I just think that your aesthetic is horrible
I don't dislike you personally, but I really don't like your style or image.
Please treat me with the same respect and candor; I would appreciate the honesty
I expect you to be honest with me and not sugarcoat anything, as I will do the same.
Yeah, a little less professional, a little more upfront and confrontational
I prefer honesty and confrontation to professionalism and fake niceness.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, just say what you're thinking
Don't hold back, tell me what you really think.
Say what you're really thinking
I want to hear your honest thoughts and opinions, not just what you think I want to hear.
Say what you're thinking!
Don't be afraid to speak your mind and tell the truth.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: THOMAS JAMES GABEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Joe Tompkins
I heard the hype about your band, I've seen your video playing on the TV
Publicity photos in magazines; oh, none of it makes me feel anything
I would be lying to you if I did not say something that would make me feel like a politician
A middle-of-the-road opinion no one finds offensive or challenging
I'm not interested; the stage is not a pedestal
I don't think you're bad people, I just think that your aesthetic is horrible
Please treat me with the same respect and candor; I would appreciate the honesty
Yeah, a little less professional, a little more upfront and confrontational
Whoa, whoa, whoa, just say what you're thinking
Say what you're really thinking
Whoa, whoa, whoa, just say what you're thinking
Say what you're really thinking
Say what you're thinking!
Del Puro Estrecho
TEMAZO!!!
L Xoxo
The shade makes me chuckle, but you have to admit that they are shading panic! Then the fans attack P!ATD’s fans for pointing it out? Why’s it so toxic..?
v4l4ntin4
I fucking love Laura.
Joe Tompkins
I heard the hype about your band, I've seen your video playing on the TV
Publicity photos in magazines; oh, none of it makes me feel anything
I would be lying to you if I did not say something that would make me feel like a politician
A middle-of-the-road opinion no one finds offensive or challenging
I'm not interested; the stage is not a pedestal
I don't think you're bad people, I just think that your aesthetic is horrible
Please treat me with the same respect and candor; I would appreciate the honesty
Yeah, a little less professional, a little more upfront and confrontational
Whoa, whoa, whoa, just say what you're thinking
Say what you're really thinking
Whoa, whoa, whoa, just say what you're thinking
Say what you're really thinking
Say what you're thinking!
ANGELOFTHEBLADE
Iconic... Ugh her mind
Tommy Hugo
@Hallucination definately one of their greatest
leethepsychic
Laura is the fucking best and against me! is a treasure
Tommy Hugo
@mooneyes1114 i know all those bands, dont get me wrong they're all sick bands, but the against me's singer's voice is also raw in my opinion
Glenn Sargent
cool song its edgey keep rocking
Tommy Hugo
@mooneyes1114 dude... the singer is the best part about against me! his vocals are fucking raw and off the fucking chain! Its all based on opinion I suppose, Im just surprised thats what you didnt like about the band :P