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.
New Dark Ages
Bad Religion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That can expand beyond all hope of light and plunge us into unrelenting night?
A pall on truth and reason
It feels like hunting season
So avoid those lines of sight and we'll set this right
[Chorus:]
Yeah, I hope you're living right
These are the new Dark Ages
And the world might end tonight
Now come ye children one and all - let's heed Ezekiel's call
And bide until the word is good and ripe and get plucked clean out of sight
The world will be erased
Our kin will be immaculate ejaculate in space before the King of King's love
He'll snatch us from above
Brothers, help me sing it
[Chorus]
So, how do you sleep?
There's nothing to keep
This is deep
Because we're animals with golden rules
Who, who can't be moved by rational views, yeah
Welcome to the new Dark Ages
I hope you're living right
Welcome to the new Dark Ages
Say it again, yeah
These are the new Dark Ages
I hope you're living right
Welcome to the new Dark Ages
And the world might end tonight
The lyrics of Bad Religion's song New Dark Ages are all about the current state of the world and how it is easy to fall into apathy and a sense of despair, due to the current political and societal climate. The first stanza, "Yeah, can you hear the call in our rambling land susurrations That can expand beyond all hope of light and plunge us into unrelenting night?" talks about how there is a sense of doom and despair, and how it can expand to envelop all of us. The next few stanzas talk about the feelings of helplessness and despair that come along with living in a world that can seem like it's turning into a nightmare, with "A pall on truth and reason, It feels like hunting season, So avoid those lines of sight and we'll set this right."
The chorus "Welcome to the new Dark Ages, Yeah, I hope you're living right, These are the new Dark Ages, And the world might end tonight" speaks to the idea that we are living in a time when things are uncertain and could go wrong at any moment. It reflects a sense of hopelessness but also an undercurrent of the need to keep moving forward and keep trying to make things better. The lyrics, "So, how do you sleep? There's nothing to keep, This is deep, Because we're animals with golden rules Who, who can't be moved by rational views, yeah" paint a picture of a world where we are all struggling to keep our heads above water, and trying to find a way to hold onto reason and hope when it seems like everything is dark and hopeless.
Overall, the song New Dark Ages is a reminder that even when things seem bleak and impossible to change, it's important to keep fighting and to never give up on the hope for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, can you hear the call in our rambling land susurrations
Can you perceive the ominous signs that suggest the upcoming doom, which could spread like whispers across our nation?
That can expand beyond all hope of light and plunge us into unrelenting night?
Could these signs lead us to a point of darkness so depraved that it leaves us no hope for redemption?
A pall on truth and reason
The rise of ignorance and deceit, and downfall of reasonable conduct.
It feels like hunting season
An atmosphere of hostility and aggression where the odds are not likely in one's favor.
So avoid those lines of sight and we'll set this right
If we take evasive action and work together to correct our faults, we might be able to save our world from ruin.
Welcome to the new Dark Ages
Get ready to face a world that looks and feels very different from what we were once used to.
Yeah, I hope you're living right
If you're not leading your life in the best way possible, then it's high time you change your ways.
Now come ye children one and all - let's heed Ezekiel's call
Let us gather together and listen to the teachings of the wise scriptures of Ezekiel to guide us through these trying times.
And bide until the word is good and ripe and get plucked clean out of sight
We have to be patient and wait until the right moment, then seize the opportunity to move out of this mess.
The world will be erased
The world as we know it may be wiped out leaving only the memories of our legacy behind.
Our kin will be immaculate ejaculate in space before the King of King's love
Our future generations will be like the pure and blemishless substances, floating in space under the grace of a benevolent ruler above all.
He'll snatch us from above
We will be rescued from all evil and brought to a better place by the divine intervention of God.
So, how do you sleep?
Are you able to rest peacefully at night, knowing that our world is on the brink of self-destruction?
There's nothing to keep
There's no assurance of safety or security, and we could lose everything we cherish in the blink of an eye.
This is deep
This situation is a grave matter of concern that needs immediate attention and action.
Because we're animals with golden rules
Even though we are creatures driven by natural instincts, we have a moral code and ethical principles to guide our behavior.
Who, who can't be moved by rational views, yeah
But sometimes, our beliefs and opinions are so rigid that they blind us from seeing reason and logical arguments.
Say it again, yeah
Let the message be reiterated, so that we understand the gravity of our situation and we are compelled to take action.
And the world might end tonight
We shouldn't take our lives for granted, as disaster could strike at any moment and change everything forever.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRETT W. GUREWITZ, GREG GRAFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Vincent Albert Sungkono
their songs never get old... been listening to them since I was 10 in 1992.
Cristian Avilés
+Vincent Albert Sungkono this song was released in 2007, maybe you are talking about Atomic Garden from Generator (1992)
francisco pires
+Petrarka Maybe he's talking about the band ("them") and not the song.
Justin Johnson
Since I was 15, 21 years ago. I had Stranger Than Fiction on Cassette.
JelloFluoride
Sitting here in 2022 thinking about how damn good their first album still is. I want to cover "Pity" and put it as a bonus on my next album
angelo nomaaea
No you haven't
moneyblackblood
This song rocks so hard, it's just sad that it is more relevant than ever now.
Illitha
The thing is, in my opinion, this band will always be relevant. Times aren't changing much
penutbito
i like how much energy he sings without screaming. im ok with screaming but im impressed because he doesnt need to
Benjamín Trejo
no cabe duda ke bad religion es actualmente de las bandas mas importantes dentro la escena punk!..ojala pronto regresen a mexico Saludos !