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.
The Empire Strikes First
Bad Religion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And we're unrehearsed
Here we go again
To stage the greatest show on heaven and earth
Come on, get your money's worth
Don't want to live
(can't live)
(can't give)
Don't want to be
(won't be)
E-M-P-I-R-E
Don't want to live
Don't want to be
E-M-P-I-R-E
We're comin' on fast
And we're built to last
We struggled once in 'Nam
Now we're glad to finally say
Those days have passed
Tell me how long can it last!
Don't want to live
(can't live)
Don't want to give
(can't give)
Don't want to be
(won't be)
E-M-P-I-R-E
Don't want to live
Don't want to be
E-M-P-I-R-E
We just started out
You don't need to be afraid
Yeah you deserve to be attained
And our breathing hearts burst
But even ten million souls
Marching in February couldn't stop the worst,
Couldn't reverse
Don't want to live
Don't want to give
Don't want to be
E-M-P-I-R-E
Don't want to live
Don't want to be
E-M-P-I-R-E
I can't live
If it isn't with you
The lyrics of Bad Religion's The Empire Strikes First is a reflection of the frustrations and disappointments that the band members have with the society we live in today. The song is a call to arms, urging people to take control of their lives and stand up against a system that they think is unjust and corrupt. The lyrics are straightforward and direct, with the band members declaring that they are striking first and are willing to put on the "greatest show on heaven and earth". It shows the band's resolve to fight back against an oppressive system that has suppressed its citizens for far too long.
The band's frustration with the current political climate is further highlighted in the lyrics "Don't want to live, can't live. Don't want to give, can't give. Don't want to be, won't be". This indicates the feeling of helplessness and oppression that citizens feel in today's world. The mention of Vietnam shows that war is not a solution to any of the world's problems, and the only way to change the world is through peaceful means.
In conclusion, The Empire Strikes First is a powerful and thought-provoking song that urges people to take action against an oppressive and corrupt system. It serves as a call to arms, inspiring people to stand up and speak out against the injustices of the world.
Line by Line Meaning
We strike first
We take action before others can
And we're unrehearsed
We act without preparation or practice
Here we go again
We are repeating our actions from the past
To stage the greatest show on heaven and earth
To create a spectacle that is unparalleled in its majesty
Come on, get your money's worth
Come and witness an event that is worth paying for
Don't want to live (can't live)
We do not have the desire or the ability to continue living
Don't want to give (can't give)
We do not have the desire or the ability to give anything to others
Don't want to be (won't be)
We have made a conscious decision to not exist in a certain way
E-M-P-I-R-E
Refers to the Empire that is striking first, and also the letters spell out the word 'empire'
We're comin' on fast
We are moving quickly and arriving soon
And we're built to last
We are strong and able to withstand challenges
We struggled once in 'Nam
We faced difficulties during the Vietnam War
Now we're glad to finally say
We feel relief and happiness when we express the following statement
Those days have passed
We are no longer burdened by the difficult times in our past
Tell me how long can it last!
We question how much longer our current situation can continue
We just started out
We are beginning our journey or endeavor
You don't need to be afraid
There is no reason to be fearful
Yeah you deserve to be attained
You are worthy of achieving your goals
And our breathing hearts burst
Our passionate emotions are overwhelming
But even ten million souls Marching in February couldn't stop the worst
Despite large numbers of people protesting or fighting against something, the worst outcome still occurs
Couldn't reverse
We are unable to undo or change what has already happened
I can't live If it isn't with you
I cannot continue living without being with you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRIAN BAKER, GREG GRAFFIN, BRETT GUREWITZ, JAMES HORNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nick930
This album is my all-time favorite Bad Religion album. Every song on this CD is so cool!
Tim Hick
They dont have a weak album imo...
Jonathan Chesley
This is a top 10 Album of all time in my book
CrippledBirdie
Lol cds
Casbah 207
Just a random guy with 293k subs commenting.
Duncan
When Sinister Rouge kicks in after Overture it always gives me goosebumps.
MC ZenSun
@jbiafra08 rad 🌈
J S
Always goosebumps.... because you what's coming.
fdsa138
How can it not? Same feeling for me as well.
Boswell James
@Joshua Justice 😃😝💯