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.
Adam's Atoms
Bad Religion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everybody wonders why we're here
Should we even try?
Philosophers lost in the night
A beacon in the distance
You gotta turn around
Its vestige dimly flickers in elocution sound
Pretensions of a higher ground
Higher ground
Introspective paradise found
Adam's atoms resound
Economy of nature
The dead and shallow graves
The particles of happiness elude us in their names
A psychosymbiotical reflection on the waves
Eternal as the night and day
Night and day
Omnipresent ???? of fate
Adam's atoms remain
The righteous opposition has led us all astray
One side against the other
One loses, one reclaimed
And if reconciliation eludes us every day
Then will we ever find a way?
Find a way
Not with our allogeneous gaze
Adam's atoms remain
Adam's atoms betray
Adam's atoms remain
The lyrics of Bad Religion's song "Adam's Atoms" delve into the existential questions that human beings have been pondering since the beginning of time. The song acknowledges the ambiguity of life and the uncertainty that comes with it, that some individuals live while others die, and nobody knows why we are here. The lyrics of "should we even try?" raise this point, questioning the point of human existence. Philosophers continuously grapple with the meaning of life and this song acknowledges their struggle. Although there seems to be no clear answer, the song suggests that if individuals keep looking, a beacon of hope may present itself.
The song continues to describe the vestige of this "beacon" as being dimly flickers in elocution sound, symbolizing the idea that this hope is faint but still present. However, the "modernist chronometer uptight and underwound" and pretensions of a higher ground seem to hinder people from finding the answers they need. The song suggests that a higher perspective - an introspective paradise - may allow people to find deeper meaning. The lyrics refer to Adam's atoms, possibly hinting towards the idea of the meaning of life lying within the particles of life itself.
The second part of the song explores the concept of the economy of nature. The lyrics highlight how death is inevitable and happiness seems to evade individuals. According to the song, human beings are "psychosymbiotical reflections" and exist in a never-ending cycle. The final verse talks about the opposition between different groups and emphasizes the idea that the quest for reconciliation is essential. The lyrics prompt the question, will we ever find a way? Despite this question being eternal, the song concludes by referencing Adam's atoms, reminding listeners of the infinitesimal connection between humanity and nature.
Line by Line Meaning
Some live, some die
Life and death are natural occurrences to all living beings, so there is no reason to question why.
Everybody wonders why we're here
Existential questions arise within individuals or groups, which underlines our contemplation of the purpose of life.
Should we even try?
Despite the absence of a clear and certain meaning of life, we must continue living and make the most out of it.
Philosophers lost in the night
Philosophical pondering often occurs in the stillness of the night, when the mind is more reflective and contemplative.
A beacon in the distance
There is always a light of hope, despite the uncertainties in life.
You gotta turn around
Sometimes, one must change perspective or reverse their direction to see things in a different view.
Its vestige dimly flickers in elocution sound
The remnants of hope are scarcely visible through faint and eloquent sounds.
The modernist chronometer uptight and underwound
Society's system of measurement and control may have constrained the natural essence of life and its spontaneity.
Pretensions of a higher ground
There is a tendency to think that we are superior to others, leading to moral or intellectual arrogance.
Higher ground
A metaphorical expression of a better state of being or higher level of consciousness.
Introspective paradise found
One can achieve a sense of peacefulness and fulfillment through a deep reflection and examination of oneself.
Adam's atoms resound
A reference to the biblical story of Adam and the concept of atoms representing the essence of human existence, which echoes throughout time.
Economy of nature
Nature operates in an efficient manner, where everything has a purpose and nothing is wasted.
The dead and shallow graves
Death is inevitable and universal, reducing all human beings to just mere physical remains.
The particles of happiness elude us in their names
Happiness cannot be merely defined or contained, but is a fleeting sensation that is hard to grasp and replicate.
A psychosymbiotical reflection on the waves
The essence of human existence is interconnected with the natural world, and one can find insight and peace through reflection and introspection.
Eternal as the night and day
The cycle of life and death, lightness and darkness, is eternal and unending.
Night and day
A reference to the previous line and the endless duality of existence.
Omnipresent ???? of fate
There appears to be a universal force of fate or destiny that guides and shapes our lives, which is omnipresent but invisible.
Adam's atoms remain
Regardless of the impermanence of human lives and the universe itself, the essence of human existence remains and echoes throughout time.
The righteous opposition has led us all astray
The constant battle between right and wrong, good and evil, has divided humanity and caused us to lose sight of our shared essence.
One side against the other
A reference to the previous line, where there are always opposing views or opinions that clash and create division.
One loses, one reclaimed
In struggles for power or identity, there is always a winner and loser, but the cycle of conflict and resolution continues.
And if reconciliation eludes us every day
Despite our efforts to bring peace and understanding, differences and tensions may persist and remain unresolved.
Then will we ever find a way?
A rhetorical question that implies the difficulty of achieving peace and unity, but also the importance of never giving up hope.
Not with our allogeneous gaze
We cannot achieve peace and reconciliation with an external or foreign perspective, but must look within ourselves and empathize with others.
Adam's atoms betray
A paradoxical expression that suggests the inherent imperfection and fragility of human nature and existence, which can lead to betrayal and division.
Contributed by Isabelle D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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….