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.
Louie Louie
Bad Religion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Louie Louie, me gotta go
Fine little girl she waits for me
Me catch the ship for cross the sea
Me sail the ship all alone
Me never thinks me make it home
Three nights and days me sail the sea
On the ship I dream she there
I smell the rose in her hair
Me see Jamaica moon above
It won't be long, me see my love
I take her in my arms and then
Me tell her I never leave again
The lyrics to Bad Religion's version of "Louie Louie" are a retelling of the classic rock song originally performed by Richard Berry in 1955. The lyrics depict a sailor named Louie who is leaving his home and his lover to sail across the sea. Louie's only hope is to return to his lover, a "fine little girl" who waits for him to come back to her.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of longing and loneliness that permeates Louie's journey. He thinks of his lover constantly and dreams of holding her in his arms. The mention of the Jamaica moon and the smell of roses in his lover's hair evoke a sense of nostalgia and romance.
However, the somber tone of the song is tempered by the upbeat and catchy melody. The repetition of the chorus, "Louie Louie, me gotta go," creates a sense of urgency and anticipation, and the driving rhythm of the song carries the listener along with Louie on his journey.
Overall, "Louie Louie" is a poignant tale of love and loss, set against the backdrop of the open sea.
Line by Line Meaning
Louie Louie, me gotta go
I need to leave
Fine little girl she waits for me
There's someone I care about who's waiting for me to return
Me catch the ship for cross the sea
I'm taking a ship to travel across the sea
Me sail the ship all alone
I'm sailing the ship by myself
Me never thinks me make it home
I'm not sure if I'll make it back home
Three nights and days me sail the sea
I've been sailing for three full days and nights
Me think of girl constantly
I think about the girl I care about all the time
On the ship I dream she there
I dream of her being with me on the ship
I smell the rose in her hair
I remember the way she smells, particularly the scent of roses in her hair
Me see Jamaica moon above
I see the moon above the island of Jamaica
It won't be long, me see my love
It won't be long until I see the girl I care about again
I take her in my arms and then
When I see her, I'll embrace her
Me tell her I never leave again
I'll promise her that I won't leave again
Contributed by Alexander K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Alf Lemon
What's up with the pitch?