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.
Kerosene
Bad Religion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Exclusive huddled
Uninviting shelter
Is privilege
Of the same and competent
Kerosene keeps me warm
I'm alone to watch it burn
Kerosene
And pointless way of dying
Before it gets me
I'll set a funeral pyre
Kerosene keeps me warm
I'm alone to watch it burn
Kerosene
I'm a man and
My dignity won't wave
Tonight buildings rage!
Kerosene keeps me warm
It feels so good
To watch it burn kerosene
Kerosene keeps me warm
Feels so good
To watch it burn kerosene
The lyrics to Bad Religion's song "Kerosene" are a commentary on societal inequality and the frustration of being excluded from privileges afforded to the same and competent. The opening lines, "Everywhere I look I see / Exclusive huddled / Uninviting shelter" paint a picture of isolation and exclusion, where the privileged have the luxury of exclusivity while others are left out in the cold. The line "Is privilege / Of the same and competent" suggests that access to these privileges is only granted to those deemed worthy and competent, leaving many behind.
The chorus, "Kerosene keeps me warm / I'm alone to watch it burn / Kerosene" speaks to a sense of isolation and self-sufficiency. The singer is left to keep himself warm with kerosene, which is not as comfortable or luxurious as the exclusive shelter enjoyed by the privileged. However, he takes comfort in the fact that he is alone to watch it burn, and in control of his own warmth. The lines "Exposure is a pitiful / And pointless way of dying / Before it gets me / I'll set a funeral pyre" suggest that the singer would rather take control of his own death than succumb to the pitfalls of a society that values exclusivity over inclusion.
The final lines of the song, "I'm a man and / My dignity won't wave / Tonight buildings rage!" serve as a declaration of defiance. The singer refuses to be defeated by the societal structures that leave him out in the cold, and instead chooses to rage against them. The use of fire imagery throughout the song suggests that the singer is willing to use destructive means to make his voice heard.
Line by Line Meaning
Everywhere I look I see
I see that there are exclusive groups of people who are unwelcoming and sheltered from the rest of the world.
Exclusive huddled
There are small groups of people who exclude anyone who doesn't meet their standards.
Uninviting shelter
These groups are unwelcoming and uninterested in those who do not belong.
Is privilege
Exclusivity is a privilege that people earn or are born into.
Of the same and competent
These groups are made up of people who are all the same and skilled in the same ways.
Kerosene keeps me warm
I find comfort in this flammable oil that I use to keep myself warm.
I'm alone to watch it burn
I have no one to share this comfort with and am the only one who can watch it burn.
Exposure is a pitiful
I see that dying of exposure is not only sad but also pointless.
And pointless way of dying
It is a waste of a life to die of exposure.
Before it gets me
Before I die of exposure, I will do something about it.
I'll set a funeral pyre
I will create a fire to keep me warm and to burn brightly when I am gone.
I'm a man and
As a man, I have my pride and my self-respect.
My dignity won't wave
I won't let anyone break my spirit or undermine my dignity.
Tonight buildings rage!
Tonight, buildings will be set on fire to show the rage and frustration that people feel.
Feels so good
It feels satisfying to watch the buildings burn.
To watch it burn kerosene
I take pleasure in watching the kerosene burn along with the buildings.
Kerosene
The constant throughout this song is the kerosene, which is used as a source of comfort and as a tool of destruction.
Lyrics © MOTHERSHIP MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: BRETT GUREWITZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Douglas B
Everywhere I look I see
Exclusive huddled
Uninviting shelter
Is privilege
Of the same and competent
Kerosene keeps me warm
I'm alone to watch it burn
Kerosene
Exposure is a pitiful
And pointless way of dying
Before it gets me
I'll set a funeral pyre
Kerosene keeps me warm
I'm alone to watch it burn
Kerosene
I'm a man and
My dignity won't wave
Tonight buildings rage!
Kerosene keeps me warm
It feels so good
To watch it burn kerosene
Kerosene keeps me warm
Feels so good
To watch it burn kerosene
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Brett Gurewitz
tjfats2
One of the most underrated albums of the 90s
MantiaRyche
Yes defintly.
Hyero Rojapiel
the best album of punk rock in the 90' ... to me.
Marc H
@Hyero Rojapiel Fair enough. To each his own. Personally, from them, I like Stranger than Fiction better in the 90’s. Many would place Against the Grain, or even Generator (when I first started liking them)above Recipe for hate…
But, I’d probably say Rancid: And Out Come the Wolves is my favorite 90’s punk album. Operation Ivy just missed in 89. Pennywise: Pennywise. Pennywise: About Time. NOFX: Punk in Drublic gets a nod. Probably a lot of other small time stuff I’m forgetting. Anyway. My two cents. Thanks for the response.
Hyero Rojapiel
Yes, I reaffirm it... the romantic lyrics and melodies, the philosophy behind 11/9 (in skyscraper, for example), as a foreseen future, and above all, the singer's cry for help
Marc H
Seriously? I'll ask you to reconfirm that. Of ALL the potential selections of punk rock albums from the 90's... And you honestly, without hesitation, say THIS one is the THE BEST punk album of the 90's.... Just want to make sure you're going to reaffirm your statement.... 😄🤣😂🤣
NIKE RAMON
Hyero Rojapiel recipe for hate and the offspring ixnay of the hombre 🔥
sandy5feet
This song reminds me of a lot of memories.
Still one of my unforgettable songs.
snakework
Before it gets me.... I'll build a funeral pyre! What an interesting line. Can be taken multiple ways. Intelligent songs from an intelligent band.
Mullet fever
48 years old punker and still this song keeps me warm like kerosene into mine veins!