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.
Inner Logic
Bad Religion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sequestering the blueprints of daily life
Contented, free of care, they rejoice in morning ritual
As they file like drone ant colonies to their office in the sky
I don't ask questions, don't promote demonstrations,
Don't look for new consensus, don't stray from constitution
If I pierce the complexity I won't find salvation
Of the evil and deception
There is an inner logic,
And we're taught to stay far from it
It is simple and elegant,
But it's cruel and antithetic
And there's no effort to reveal it
Graduated mentors stroll in marbled brick porticos
In sagacious dialog they despise their average ways
Displaying pomp and discipline, they mold their institution
Where they practice exclusion on the masses every day
Decorated warriors drill harmless kids on pavement
Simulating tyranny under red alert
Protecting the opulent and staging moral standard
They expect redemption of character and self-growth
(no equality, no opportunity,
No tolerance for the progressive alternative)
The opening lines describe a society of people who are like automatons, wearing business suits and carrying black boxes as they go about their daily lives. They keep to themselves, following a strict routine and going through the motions like drones. There is no curiosity or desire to question their reality, and they are content with their lives despite their lack of individuality.
The second verse is an admission from the singer that they, too, have succumbed to this way of life. They do not ask questions or engage in any form of protest, instead choosing to stick to the rules of the constitution. The singer suggests that if they were to delve deeper and try to understand the complexity of their reality, they would only find more evil and deception.
Line by Line Meaning
Automatons with business suits clinging black boxes,
People in business attire with briefcases, devoid of individuality, who hoard the blueprints of daily life.
Sequestering the blueprints of daily life
They keep the plans of everyday living locked away.
Contented, free of care, they rejoice in morning ritual
They are happy and unconcerned, finding joy in their daily routine.
As they file like drone ant colonies to their office in the sky
They move in an orderly manner like an ant colony, going to work.
I don't ask questions, don't promote demonstrations,
I remain inactive, avoiding inquiry and protest.
Don't look for new consensus, don't stray from constitution
I avoid change and adhere to the existing system.
If I pierce the complexity I won't find salvation
I won't discover redemption if I try to understand the complicated situation.
Just the bald and over truth, Of the evil and deception
Only the ugly truth of corruption and deceit will be revealed.
There is an inner logic,
There is a hidden meaning or way of seeing things.
And we're taught to stay far from it
We are taught to ignore or avoid the hidden logic.
It is simple and elegant,
It is straightforward and refined.
But it's cruel and antithetic
However, it is harsh and contradictory.
And there's no effort to reveal it
No one tries to uncover the hidden logic.
Graduated mentors stroll in marbled brick porticos
Educated leaders walk around on the college grounds.
In sagacious dialog they despise their average ways
They talk in worldly and wise conversation, disliking ordinary behavior.
Displaying pomp and discipline, they mold their institution
They present themselves with grandeur and order, shaping the establishment.
Where they practice exclusion on the masses every day
They discriminate against the common people on a regular basis.
Decorated warriors drill harmless kids on pavement
Soldiers train innocent children on the streets.
Simulating tyranny under red alert
Pretending to enact oppressive rule during a state of emergency.
Protecting the opulent and staging moral standard
They defend the rich and act as if they have a moral high ground.
They expect redemption of character and self-growth
They hope for moral improvement and personal development.
(no equality, no opportunity, No tolerance for the progressive alternative)
These expectations are not universal, disregarding equal chances and denying alternative solutions.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: 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….