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 Grand Delusion
Bad Religion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Molecules, frozen moments in time
I could be the archetype, a credit to the
Genotype, reprogram your mind
But the storybook sages fill their pages
Hiding from the warming sun
Limitless distractions give no pause to distort a precious delusion
Did you see the moralist retort and raise his fist
"You can't make man a machine!"?
I can see the edifice crumbling in foggy mist
Razed by discovery
But the storybook sages fill their pages
Hiding from the warming sun
Limitless distractions give no pause to distort a precious delusion
Delusion, precious delusion
Delusion
The Grand Delusion by Bad Religion is a commentary on society's obsession with technological advancements and scientific progress. The opening lyrics, "If I could only get the tools, the stimuli and molecules, frozen moments in time, I could be the archetype, a credit to the genotype, reprogram your mind," suggest an individual longing for the power to control and manipulate the physical and chemical components of the human body. The desire to be an "archetype" and "reprogram your mind" implies a desire for power and control, reminiscent of a dystopian society.
The second half of the verse is a commentary on society as a whole, with "storybook sages" filling their pages with limiting beliefs and hiding from the truth. The "limitless distractions" and "precious delusion" refer to our society's obsession with technology and denial of the consequences of our actions. The chorus reinforces this idea with the repetition of "delusion" as a warning for the dangers of ignoring reality.
The second verse discusses the resistance to change and progress, with the "moralist" declaring that "you can't make man a machine!" The final lines of the song suggest that progress will eventually win out, with the "edifice crumbling in foggy mist, razed by discovery." This final line hints at the eventual downfall of a society built on the delusion of its own invincibility.
Line by Line Meaning
If I could only get the tools, the stimuli and
If I had the necessary means such as the required chemical ingredients, I could create frozen moments in time that would enable me to become the ultimate pattern for succeeding genetic copies and have the ability to alter the mind programming of others
Molecules, frozen moments in time
A composition of molecules stopped at a particular time to ensure the preservation of certain traits and performance values
I could be the archetype, a credit to the
I would become the prime example of excellence and be recognized as such within the same genetic pool from where I was created
Genotype, reprogram your mind
Through my superior genetic makeup, I would be able to restore true thinking to those who were born with less ideal nature or have been altered by unnatural factors
But the storybook sages fill their pages
Despite the existence of factual evidence, people continue to produce and reproduce misleading works that make them feel comfortable, safe, and morally sound
Hiding from the warming sun
Avoiding and refusing to take action that would help them face harsh reality and the truth, which might make them or their readers uncomfortable
Limitless distractions give no pause to distort a precious delusion
Various types of entertainment and unrestricted access to information have the ability to safeguard constructed illusions while ensuring that they remain intact and convincing
Did you see the moralist retort and raise his fist
Did you witness the conservative reactionary speaking out loudly and using physical force to impose his beliefs on others?
"You can't make man a machine!"?
"Human beings cannot be totally altered to function like an object or machine", this is the view which the moralist strongly advocates for
I can see the edifice crumbling in foggy mist
I can see the structures that once seemed stable are now being destroyed and vanishing into obscurity due to the lack of clarity in understanding the outcomes of the changes that have occurred thus far
Razed by discovery
All of the discoveries and knowledge are resulting in destruction as we know it because we cannot control what we have found or the impact it would have on society in general
Delusion, precious delusion
People cling onto their fantasies and illusions, as it is better to live with a pretty lie than an ugly truth
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRETT W. GUREWITZ, GREG GRAFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Wow
on You
Everybody needs a slogan in their pocket or two
It never hurts to have a strategy you can go to
Sometimes I have no sense at all
As most flawed men are one to do
Just say fuck you
Pavlovian rude
A menace too
Pay homage to
Your bad attitude
You can even get cerebral if you want to
Make a radical assessment that sticks like glue
Sometimes it takes no thought at all
The easiest thing to do
Is say fuck you
Pavlovian rude
A menace too
Pay homage to
Your bad attitude
The reaction it brings, just one of those things
Your friends might not want you around
If the impulse is right you might get in a fight
Even though you can't hold your ground
But all rest assured, sometimes just a word
Is the most satisfying sound
Sometimes it makes no sense at all
The easiest thing to do
Is say fuck you
Pavlovian rude
A menace too
Pay homage to your bad attitude
Just say fuck you
What you gonna do to your attitude
Just say fuck you
Wtf is this shit, what retard wrote the wrong spng down….