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 Leaf
Bad Religion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It really makes you stop and think about the years to come.
Something good had to happen to the human race.
We all had better stop hoping and set our heads on straight.
You've gotta turn over a new leaf,
'Cause that old one's turning on you.
We've gotta turn over a new leaf.
Today is over, it's already shot, so we can think about ourselves.
They keep on working on our nature, they're saying that can only help.
Start throwing out your pockets, keep what you really only need.
Save life and earth and water, there can't be any other need.
You've gotta turn over a new leaf,
'Cause that old one's turning on you.
You've gotta turn over a new leaf.
If the future's only hoped for, we are doomed.
You've gotta turn over a new leaf,
'Cause that old one's turning on you.
We've gotta turn over a new leaf.
And let your love come on through.
You've gotta turn over a new leaf,
'Cause that old one's turning on you.
We've gotta turn over a new leaf,
A new, a new, a new
The lyrics to Bad Religion's "New Leaf" touch on themes of environmentalism, gun violence, and personal responsibility. The opening lines, "When everybody dies around you, from someone else's gun / It really makes you stop and think about the years to come," highlight the devastating effects of gun violence on society. The following lines suggest that humanity must change and evolve if it hopes to survive. The lines "We all had better stop hoping and set our heads on straight" suggest that simply hoping for a better future isn't enough -- we must take action and change our ways in order to ensure a better world for future generations.
The chorus emphasizes the need for change: "You've gotta turn over a new leaf / 'Cause that old one's turning on you / We've gotta turn over a new leaf / If the future's only hoped for, we are doomed." The metaphor of turning over a new leaf suggests that we must abandon old habits and ways of thinking that are no longer serving us. If we don't, our old ways will eventually turn on us and lead to our downfall. The final lines of the song encourage listeners to let love guide them in their quest for change: "And let your love come on through / You've gotta turn over a new leaf / 'Cause that old one's turning on you / We've gotta turn over a new leaf / A new, a new, a new."
Overall, "New Leaf" is a call to action, urging listeners to prioritize the health of the planet, work towards peace, and embody personal responsibility in all aspects of their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
When everybody dies around you, from someone else's gun,
After witnessing senseless violence and death, the future becomes uncertain and forces one to contemplate the necessity of positive change.
It really makes you stop and think about the years to come.
Such events cause individuals to contemplate how future generations can be positively impacted.
Something good had to happen to the human race.
Despite the negative events happening in the world, there is still optimism that something positive can occur for humanity as a whole.
We all had better stop hoping and set our heads on straight.
Positive action is required for progress to occur, rather than just wishful thinking.
You've gotta turn over a new leaf,
Individuals must make significant changes to their way of thinking and behaving in order to make a difference.
'Cause that old one's turning on you.
Continuing to behave as one has in the past will lead only to failed attempts at progress.
If the future's only hoped for, we are doomed.
Hope alone will not guarantee positive outcomes for the future—all must work together to make this future a reality.
Today is over, it's already shot, so we can think about ourselves.
The past is in the past, and individuals must look towards the future and how they can improve both themselves and the world around them.
They keep on working on our nature, they're saying that can only help.
There are those who believe that humanity can only be saved through scientific innovation and intervention.
Start throwing out your pockets, keep what you really only need.
Individuals must rid themselves of excess material possessions and focus only on what is truly necessary for their survival and wellbeing.
Save life and earth and water, there can't be any other need.
The most pressing concern for humanity should be the protection of life and the natural resources necessary for human existence.
And let your love come on through.
Individuals must let go of their self-centeredness and allow love and compassion for others to guide their actions.
We've gotta turn over a new leaf,
As a society, we must collectively make the necessary changes to ensure a brighter future for all.
A new, a new, a new
The change needed is significant and ongoing, requiring continued effort and dedication from all individuals.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GREG GRAFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nigelpunk43
Love this one mate.Pure class.
@RawPower867
Could almost pass as a Husker Du song.
@lostcauseforkl
I like it but it is kinda sucky for a BR song, ain't it? Well many of their newer tunes really suck.
@paburo-san6667
Loss Orderly Fuck off, Punk Sucker Girl... You stinks,.
@lostcauseforkl
. )
@danmalone7649
It's one of the best songs they ever did. But yeah most of their new stuff from 1984, THIRTY SIX YEARS AGO, really blows, dude.