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.
Live Again
Bad Religion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And to say what's waiting on the other side
Is so rewarding and the ultimate prize
But what good is something if you can't have it until you die?
[Chorus]
Desperate, tenacious, clinging like a grain of sand
Watching its foundation wash away (wash away)
Confident that they mightâ?¦live again
Live again, live again
Would you give it all up to live again?
Live again, live again
Would you give it all up to live again?
Temptation? Revelation? You decide
Torture shows its colors often in disguise
Progress and purpose help us realize
We pass along a brighter faith even though it must be blind
[Chorus]
(Let's go!)
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Bad Religion's song "Live Again" is a portrayal of the stubbornness and blind faith that humans have in the quest for the ultimate prize, which is waiting on the other side of the wide horizon. The road to this reward is a narrow one and everyone wants to be the one to get there. But what is the usefulness of such a thing if it can only be obtained after death? The chorus of the song echoes this urgency, as the question persists whether one would give everything up to live again, to have a chance at obtaining such a prize or reward.
The lyrics of the song also showcase how we as humans tend to cling to beliefs desperately, even when we know deep down that they are flawed, representing the grain of sand. In these situations, we become drunk on our assertions and confident that we might live again. The lyricist highlights the irony of how we try to justify our false beliefs, which we cannot logically defend, yet we do so with utmost confidence. At the same time, there is this portrayal of temptation and revelation, and the torture that lies beneath it, which can be undeniable but disguised. However, this progress in realizing the ultimate prize must be blind.
Overall, Bad Religion's "Live Again" provides insights into the human psyche, showcasing the desperation and blind faith that we tend to hold onto, the flawed logic that we tend to justify with confidence, and the eventual realization of how we must pass along something that may be blind in order to pave the way for progress and purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
The road is narrow, the horizon wide
Life is full of possibilities, but we must follow a certain path to achieve them.
And to say what's waiting on the other side
It's impossible to know what lies ahead, but we can always try to find out.
Is so rewarding and the ultimate prize
Discovering what's on the other side is a great accomplishment and something to strive for.
But what good is something if you can't have it until you die?
If we can't enjoy the fruits of our labor while we're alive, what's the point?
Desperate, tenacious, clinging like a grain of sand
We hold on to hope even when things seem uncertain and difficult.
Watching its foundation wash away (wash away)
Despite our efforts, things can easily crumble and fall apart.
Drunk with the assertions they know they can't defend
People can sometimes be so stubborn and confident in their beliefs that they ignore evidence to the contrary.
Confident that they might live again
Despite the fear of the unknown, people hold on to the hope that there is something beyond this life.
Would you give it all up to live again?
Are we willing to do anything to ensure a better life after death?
Temptation? Revelation? You decide
We have to decide for ourselves what is right and wrong or true and false.
Torture shows its colors often in disguise
Things that seem good or desirable can sometimes lead to our downfall or pain.
Progress and purpose help us realize
We learn and grow from our experiences, both good and bad.
We pass along a brighter faith even though it must be blind
We have to have faith in something, even if we don't fully understand it or believe in it blindly.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRETT W. GUREWITZ, GREG GRAFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Alex.k69
Live Again (The Fall of Man)
The road is narrow, the horizon wide
And to say what's waiting on the other side
Is so rewarding and the ultimate prize
But what good is something if you can't have it until you die?
Desperate, tenacious, clinging like a grain of sand
Watching its foundation wash away (wash away)
Drunk with the a**ertions they know they can't defend
Confident that they might...live again
Live again, live again
Would you give it all up to live again?
Live again, live again
Would you give it all up to live again?
Temptation? Revelation? You decide
Torture shows its colors often in disguise
Progress and purpose help us realize
We pass along a brighter faith even though it must be blind
[Chorus]
(Let's go!)
[Chorus]
@LA13EMSGV
THIS SONG IS SO SICK, IT HAS SO MUCH MEANING TOO ME, AND BAD RELIGION IS THE BEST BAND OF ALL TIME
EVEN BETTER THAN THE BEATLES; SORRY MR. BRETT YES I SAID IT BETTER THAN THE BEATLES YOU GUYS SAID MORE IN ONE ALBUM THAN THE BEATLES DID ON THERE WHOLE CATALOG; AND ALL OF BAD RELIGION SONGS ARE ORIGINAL SONGS NOT COPY CAT STUFF.........
"BR"
AND MR. BRETT THANK YOU FOR SELLING YOUR SOUL TO THE DEVIL TOO MAKE IT ALL HAPPEN........
PUNK TILL DEATH
P.S.
THANKS FOR ALL THE GOOD MUSIC................. EVERY NEW RECORD IS LIKE AN UPLIFTING INSPIRATION AND A FROM OF HEALING FOR ME!!!!!!!
🎵🔥🎵
@thejimsplace2
Still one of my favorite albums of all time. Each and every time I sing along. Peace
@almudenasanchez7868
One of my favorites. I love Gregg's voice 🥰🥰🥰🥰
@sailaslair2441
💓💓💓
@duskpede5146
down bad
@thomasemery6191
Yeah, he's the best!
@AaronCouron
The drum break at 2:05 gets me every time. "Let's Go!"
@disgustipated_462
Great album. I remember running downstairs to see Rise Against open for this show in Denver, then BR came out.
@joekoll9110
got this cd years ago at FYE for 3 or 4 bucks used. rediscovering them again. solid album.
@feblima
amoooooo muitooooo...showww
@gabrielfacholabasscovers843
Bad Religion é fenomenal