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 Island
Bad Religion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's a life to lead but I can't exactly fake it
Yet the mood feels right
But my island is sinking out of sight
I made jetties so they'd catch all the sediment
Removed the rocks and every impediment
But the tide's rising high to wash away my island in the night
The sheltering sky was to be my everlasting lullaby
They said that islands were solid as bedrock
Standing firm forevermore
But over time even basement wastes away to the unrelenting shore
There's a lonely seed waiting to be planted
I've instructions but desire is wholly absent
I'm just a petrel in the storm
My island can't protect me anymore
The song "The Island" by Bad Religion expresses the feeling of being trapped on an island both physically and emotionally. The opening lines indicate the singer's inability to connect with the outside world. They feel trapped and unable to break away from their current situation. They are not able to fake their emotions and put up a facade of being okay when that is not the case. The mood may be pleasant, but they are sinking deeper into their dire circumstances.
The chorus speaks of the singer's attempts to reinforce their island and protect themselves from their surroundings. They built jetties to catch sediment and removed impediments, but ultimately it is all in vain as their island is slowly eroding away. The sheltering sky was supposed to be their support system, but it is no longer reliable. They thought they had a solid foundation that would remain forever, but over time everything wears away. The closing lines compare the singer to a petrel, a seabird who is at the mercy of the storm. They are unprotected and vulnerable without their island's support.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a world outside but I can't really make it
Despite there being a world outside, I'm incapable of truly existing in it due to my own limitations.
There's a life to lead but I can't exactly fake it
While there is a life I'm expected to live, I'm not able to pretend that I'm content with it.
Yet the mood feels right
Although everything is not perfect, I still feel like I'm in the right place.
But my island is sinking out of sight
Despite everything feeling okay, my personal stable foundation is disappearing before my very eyes.
I made jetties so they'd catch all the sediment
I made efforts to try and maintain my island by putting measures in place, but ultimately it wasn't enough.
Removed the rocks and every impediment
In an attempt to create a perfect and stable environment, I made an effort to remove all obstacles in my way.
But the tide's rising high to wash away my island in the night
Despite my attempts, the forces of life are too strong and are causing my foundation to disappear.
The sheltering sky was to be my everlasting lullaby
My foundation was meant to be unchanging like the sky and provide me with constant, reliable comfort.
They said that islands were solid as bedrock
I was assured that my foundation was unchanging and firm, like the bedrock beneath us all.
Standing firm forevermore
I was told my foundation would be solid and stable forever, but that wasn't the case.
But over time even basement wastes away to the unrelenting shore
Despite the reassurances I received, even the strongest foundations will fade away over time in the face of life's overwhelming forces.
There's a lonely seed waiting to be planted
Despite everything, there is still the possibility of new beginnings.
I've instructions but desire is wholly absent
While there is potential for growth, I do not have the motivation to take action and make it happen.
I'm just a petrel in the storm
I'm simply a small bird caught in the midst of the chaos of life.
My island can't protect me anymore
The stability and foundation that once provided me with comfort is no longer there for me to rely on.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRETT W. GUREWITZ, GREG GRAFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
mustangbeauty4
There's a world outside but I can't really make it
There's a life to lead but I can't exactly fake it
Yet the mood feels right
But my island is sinking out of sight
I made jetties so they'd catch all the sediment
Removed the rocks and every impediment
But the tide's rising high to wash away my island in the night
The sheltering sky was to be my everlasting lullaby
They said that islands were solid as bedrock
Standing firm forevermore
But over time even basement wastes away to the unrelenting shore
There's a lonely seed waiting to be planted
I've instructions but desire is wholly absent
I'm just a petrel in the storm
My island can't protect me anymore
fervid2
To me, this is a near perfect Bad Religion song. It's got pace, melody and great (poetic) lyrics. Gives me goosebumps, which is rare for punk rock.
M O'Malley
The poetry in this tune is amazing.
blz346
Holy crap, this song is beautiful.
lizard people
In case this is your first time listening to this, Bad Religion still kicks ass.
Channel2112
Such an amazing band saw them several times in the past. Each time seemed to be better than the last. Love this band i have been listening to them since i was 11, i am 28 yrs old now and will continue listening to BR until i am buried in the ground.
Jtb702
can't wait to hold the CD and read the lyrics!
PSR Promotions
Awesome metaphor!
yeahrightkid
It’s like the final form of “when?” Not complaining, though... fantastic song!
Tech Noir
"i've seen a lot of things in 5 years, i struggle just to hold back the tears, but every fuckin where i go i see the pathos that i know will spell the extermination of us all" HELL YES! FULL CIRCLE
Knulppage
There's a lonely seed waiting to be planted, I've instructions, but desire is wholly absent, I'm just a petrel in the storm, My island can't protect me anymore. I love this group.