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.
Walk Away
Bad Religion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I'll stain the clean that you've been counting
Old Mr. Fletcher passed by here today
After 40 years of toil he just up and walked away
Fantastic the panic that showed in his eyes
He shrugged when I asked him about it
He said, 'Young man pay heed, you listen well to what I say
Walk away (walk away) I'll be a parade
And I'll be determined that no one shall dissuade
On my way (dissuade) I'll sure take some time
To burn all the bridges that I'm leaving behind
He passed by again and he was shivering from the cold
I'm not sure but I think he was trying
He told me about the weather and something old to pay
'But tomorrow,' he said, 'I'm gonna surely walk away
Walk away (walk away) I'll be a parade
And I'll be determined that no one shall dissuade
On my way (dissuade) I'll take my sweet time
And burn all the bridges that I leave behind
Walk away (walk away) I'll be a parade
And I'll be determined that no one shall dissuade
“Walk Away” by Bad Religion starts with the call to end the tedium of everyday life. The singer encourages his partner to turn off the TV and remove the gloves, which sounds like a metaphor for mundane conformity. He promises to "stain the clean" that she’s built while counting just how comfortable they’ve become. Then, the song quickly takes a turn as the singer recalls Old Mr. Fletcher who after toiling for 40 years just walked away. The panic that showed in his eyes seems fantastic to the singer who promptly asks what’s going on. Mr. Fletcher shrugs, but then advises that there comes a time in every man’s life when it's time to walk away.
The chorus then explains Mr. Fletcher's advice –– that when it's time to leave, one should go without hesitation. The singer resolves to start anew without anyone else's influence or advice. When Mr. Fletcher passes by again, he’s shivering, and the singer has the impression that he's trying to gather the courage to make his break for freedom. But he reassures the singer that tomorrow he will "surely walk away.” The song ends with the chorus once again, as the singer announces, with intent and determination, that he’s going to set fire to bridges he’s leaving behind and walk away.
Line by Line Meaning
Shut off the TV and peel off those sunday gloves
Stop distracting yourself and get ready to face the reality of your situation
And I'll stain the clean that you've been counting
I'll reveal the flaws and imperfections in the picture-perfect life you've been trying to maintain
Old Mr. Fletcher passed by here today
A wise old man I know came around recently
After 40 years of toil he just up and walked away
He decided to leave behind his life's work and start anew
Fantastic the panic that showed in his eyes
It was both amazing and alarming to see the fear in his expression
He shrugged when I asked him about it
He didn't seem to think it was a big deal when I questioned him about his decision
He said, 'Young man pay heed, you listen well to what I say
He cautioned me to pay attention and take his words seriously
Now there comes a time for a man to walk away
There are times when a person needs to make a bold move and start over
Walk away (walk away) I'll be a parade
I'll draw attention and create a spectacle as I make my exit
And I'll be determined that no one shall dissuade
I won't let anyone talk me out of my decision
On my way (dissuade) I'll sure take some time
I'll take my time as I depart, not in a rush to make any hasty decisions
To burn all the bridges that I'm leaving behind
I'll sever all my ties with my past and move on
He passed by again and he was shivering from the cold
The old man returned, appearing visibly uncomfortable
I'm not sure but I think he was trying
I got the impression that he was attempting to gather the courage to leave once again
He told me about the weather and something old to pay
He made small talk and mentioned some unfinished business he had left behind
'But tomorrow,' he said, 'I'm gonna surely walk away
He promised that he would finally go through with his decision and leave for good
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRETT GUREWITZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Benoit Papineau
Shut off the TV and peel off those sunday gloves,
And I'll stain the clean that you've been counting,
Old Mr. Fletcher passed by here today,
After 40 years of toil he just up and walked away,
Fantastic the panic that showed in his eyes,
He shrugged when I asked him about it,
He said, 'Young man pay heed, you listen well to what I say,
Now there comes a time for a man to walk away, '
Walk away (walk away) I'll be a parade,
And I'll be determined that no one shall dissuade
On my way (dissuade) I'll sure take some time,
To burn all the bridges that I'm leaving behind,
He passed by again and he was shivering from the cold,
I'm not sure but I think he was trying,
He told me about the weather and something old to pay,
'But tomorrow, ' he said, 'I'm gonna surely walk away, '
Walk away (walk away) I'll be a parade,
And I'll be determined that no one shall dissuade
On my way (dissuade) I'll take my sweet time,
And burn all the bridges that I leave behind,
Walk away (walk away) I'll be a parade,
And I'll be determined that no one shall dissuade
This is a metaphor of living your life the best you can not waisting a minute of it and know how to quit with Grace
Kamikaze
One of the hardest things you can do, and if you manage to walk away, walk with pride in pursuit of happiness
Ferd Mertz
Ill never outgrow this song.
Kamikaze
Neither will Old Mr. Fletcher
Heather K
I will never outgrow this band
Benoit Papineau
Shut off the TV and peel off those sunday gloves,
And I'll stain the clean that you've been counting,
Old Mr. Fletcher passed by here today,
After 40 years of toil he just up and walked away,
Fantastic the panic that showed in his eyes,
He shrugged when I asked him about it,
He said, 'Young man pay heed, you listen well to what I say,
Now there comes a time for a man to walk away, '
Walk away (walk away) I'll be a parade,
And I'll be determined that no one shall dissuade
On my way (dissuade) I'll sure take some time,
To burn all the bridges that I'm leaving behind,
He passed by again and he was shivering from the cold,
I'm not sure but I think he was trying,
He told me about the weather and something old to pay,
'But tomorrow, ' he said, 'I'm gonna surely walk away, '
Walk away (walk away) I'll be a parade,
And I'll be determined that no one shall dissuade
On my way (dissuade) I'll take my sweet time,
And burn all the bridges that I leave behind,
Walk away (walk away) I'll be a parade,
And I'll be determined that no one shall dissuade
This is a metaphor of living your life the best you can not waisting a minute of it and know how to quit with Grace
Alexandros Panagopoulos
Does anyone know why they never sing this song on their live shows?
Jet
It's funny that you say that, the song just had its live debut a couple of weeks ago according to setlist.fm
Damian Babik
Maybe erverbody would walk away...
¿?
Moving completely alone to live in another city made me remember this song way too clearly
mac mazen
so underrated