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.
Billy
Bad Religion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The sweetest lemonade
The darkest game arcade
And billy had a yearning in the corner of his mind
It moved him secretly
It moved him powerfully
But prescience was lacking and the present was all
And his aptitudes were carelessly wasted
He squandered the hours of his day
Then darkness and disorder slapped him sharply in the face
It hit him like a friend
Struck something deep within
He couldn't break the chain of slow decay that seemed to drag him
Just like a fatal tie
Toward the other side
And billy was a lunatic just barking at the moon
And his brain was totally wasted
He then exchanged his friends for a needle and a spoon
And he threw his future away
Bolt the door and throw away the key
Your dim reflection is all that you can see
So where is the justice when no one is at fault
And a human life is tragically wasted?
How fragile is the flame that burns within us all
To light each passing day?
The song "Billy" by Bad Religion is a poignant commentary on the tragic loss of potential that can occur when the promise of youth is squandered. The first verse describes idyllic memories of summer days, lemonade, and game arcades, setting a nostalgic tone that is quickly disrupted by the introduction of the singer, Billy. Billy is described as having had a secret yearning, a powerful desire that was never fully realized due to a lack of prescience and carelessness in the present. Instead of capitalizing on his talents and challenging life with ambition, Billy wasted his time and potential, ultimately succumbing to the darkness and disorder of addiction.
The chorus then asks a series of rhetorical questions, questioning the justice of a life tragically wasted and the fragility of the flame that burns within us all. The second verse portrays Billy as a lunatic barking at the moon, a figure consumed by his addiction and utterly removed from society. He has exchanged his friends for a needle and a spoon, relinquishing any hope of a future by throwing it away. The metaphorical language of chains and fatal ties speaks to the inescapable nature of addiction, highlighting the tragedy of a life cut short by the inability to break free from its grip.
Ultimately, "Billy" is a sobering reminder of the consequences of wasted potential and the destructive power of addiction. It leaves the listener to reflect on the value of each passing day and the importance of making the most of the time we are given.
Line by Line Meaning
I can recall the warm youth of a summer day
I remember the joy-filled days of summer from my younger years.
The sweetest lemonade
The most delicious and refreshing drink.
The darkest game arcade
The gloomiest and loneliest place to be for entertainment.
And billy had a yearning in the corner of his mind
Billy had a desire that he kept hidden away in his thoughts.
It moved him secretly
It affected him in a way that he couldn't share with others.
It moved him powerfully
It had a strong emotional impact on him.
But prescience was lacking and the present was all
He didn't have the foresight to see where his present actions could lead him.
And his aptitudes were carelessly wasted
He didn't make good use of his abilities and talents.
And challenging life with the abandon of a fool
He faced life's challenges recklessly and carelessly like a foolish person.
He squandered the hours of his day
He wasted the precious time he had each day.
Then darkness and disorder slapped him sharply in the face
He faced a sudden and harsh reality of chaos and confusion.
It hit him like a friend
It came to him unexpectedly but closely like a friend.
Struck something deep within
It affected the deepest part of him emotionally.
He couldn't break the chain of slow decay that seemed to drag him
He couldn't escape the gradual decline that was pulling him down.
Just like a fatal tie
Like a noose that strangles and kills slowly, he felt trapped.
Toward the other side
Towards a destination that is unknown, but unpleasant.
And billy was a lunatic just barking at the moon
Billy was crazy and meaningless like a dog howling at the moon.
And his brain was totally wasted
He had no control over his mind, it was ruined.
He then exchanged his friends for a needle and a spoon
He left his true friends and traded them for drugs and addiction.
And he threw his future away
He gave up on the hope of a brighter future and its possibilities.
Bolt the door and throw away the key
Close all doors and latch them tightly, leaving no room for escape.
Your dim reflection is all that you can see
All that is visible is your dull and lifeless reflection.
So where is the justice when no one is at fault
When there is no culprit, what is the meaning of justice?
And a human life is tragically wasted?
Is it fair when a valuable human life is thrown away for no reason?
How fragile is the flame that burns within us all
How delicate and vulnerable is the passion that we all have.
To light each passing day?
To illuminate every moment that passes us by?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRETT GUREWITZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
BadReligion9
"How fragile is the flame that burns within us all to light each passing day?"
Capitan Teeto
amazing song, amazing band, thats final.
Mike Misiorowski
It really is great, it chronicles the dark side of drugs really well. BR is super eloquent
Panos Gs
In my opinion this is one their best songs! Both music and lyrics
S50014+81
Rest in peace Billy. I miss you brother.
RealityPalez
Depressing foreshadowing, years later the writer of this song got addicted to drugs and had to go through rehab, thank fucking god Brett made it through rehab though because he's one of the best songwriters of all time IMO.
Corn Pone Flicks
Years before he'd been addicted to them, as well; both this song and Forbidden Beat were written about his past experiences. As far as I know, he's been clean for years at this point.
mega brando
btw, for those who may not know, billy was bretts self-made alter-ego; this is about his time as an addict
Panik Attack
We've all got a "Billy".
retep nosbig
i am billy...