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.
Who We Are
Bad Religion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A procession of humanity, strikingly simian
Saunters by, I can't explain
Why it's troubling to see them so
Better than who we are with mania and yearning for and learning from
Better than holiness and candy aisles of loneliness and sweet revenge
A cigarette, a memory
The pedestal gets in the way
And cannot withstand our honest scrutiny
Better than who we are with mania and yearning for and learning from
Better than holiness and candy aisles of loneliness and sweet revenge
Do you feel the chill of December
In the rioting of Spring?
And are we made of anything other than clay?
A leap, a fight, a secret right,
The lonely quest for meaning and the universe is dreaming
The lyrics to Bad Religion’s song “Who We Are” capture the band’s critical perspective on humanity and the challenges posed by societal norms and expectations. The opening lines reflect a sense of detachment from the surrounding world, with the singer observing the passing people like a procession of animals. There is a sense of unease conveyed in the lyrics, an underlying discomfort with what the singer sees without being able to express it in words.
As the song progresses, the lyrics take on a more philosophical bent, with the band questioning what it means to be “better than who we are.” The lyrics suggest that humanity is constantly searching for meaning and purpose, with the quest for knowledge and fulfillment sometimes leading to mania, loneliness, or even vengeance. The mention of “holiness” and “candy aisles” suggests that these avenues are similarly unfulfilling or misguided, a distraction from what really matters.
The lyrics then take on a more abstract tone, with references to connections to the permanent being burned away, and the pedestal of societal expectations crumbling under scrutiny. The song ends with a set of questions that highlight the uncertainties and challenges facing humanity, and the sense that we are all searching for something beyond ourselves.
Overall, “Who We Are” is a somber reflection on the human condition, and the obstacles that stand in the way of true self-understanding and fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
It's cold again it looks like rain
The weather is gloomy and depressing, as a crowd of people walks by.
A procession of humanity, strikingly simian
The sight of these humans reminds the singer of monkeys walking around.
Saunters by, I can't explain
The singer is having trouble understanding why these people seem so troubling.
Why it's troubling to see them so
The singer is unsure why he finds these people and their behavior so concerning.
Better than who we are with mania and yearning for and learning from
It's better to embrace our faults and learn from them instead of desperately trying to be perfect.
Better than holiness and candy aisles of loneliness and sweet revenge
Trying to live a perfect, isolated and vengeful life is much worse than living with imperfections.
A cigarette, a memory
Smoking a cigarette brings back memories from the past.
All connections to the permanent are burning
Nothing lasts forever, and things that we think are permanent can disappear in a flash.
The pedestal gets in the way
Trying to put someone on a pedestal prevents us from seeing their faults.
And cannot withstand our honest scrutiny
When we look closely at someone on a pedestal, their faults become apparent.
Do you feel the chill of December
The singer is asking if the listener feels the harsh realities of life.
In the rioting of Spring?
Even in the midst of new life and growth, there is still turmoil.
And are we made of anything other than clay?
The singer wonders if humans are truly special, or if we are just made up of basic elements.
A leap, a fight, a secret right,
Life consists of taking risks, facing challenges, and asserting our rights.
The lonely quest for meaning and the universe is dreaming
Humans seek answers and meaning, but the universe remains mysterious.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GREG GRAFFIN, BRETT GUREWITZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Joaquin Ballen
It's cold again, it looks like rain
A procession of humanity, strikingly simian
Saunters by, I can't explain
Why it's troubling to see them so
Oh better than who we are with mania
And yearning for and learning from
Oh better than holiness and candy aisles
Of loneliness and sweet revenge
A cigarette, a memory
All connections to the permanent are burning
The pedestal gets in the way
And cannot withstand our honest scrutiny
Oh better than who we are with mania
Or standing for or dead against
Oh better than holiness and candy aisles
Of loneliness and sweet revenge
bullion78
How was this song ever a B side? It is comfortably in my top 5 BR songs ever.. and that is an illustrious top 5!
bullion78
All 3 b sides of Who we are, leaders and followers, shattered faith are in my top 5. Other 2 I'll nominate, struck a nerve and... Umm.... I'll go with "You"
Thisanawadee Cook
professional curiosity, what is your top 5?
Wyatt
The two best songs from Bad Religion’s best album weren’t even on the album
DrugSlingingCat
My goodness, how this song didnt make it to the actual albums is beyond me.
Attila Vörös
It became some sort of a habit that I try and watch this on my birthdays. Today I'm 31. The music and the video still means the same to me as they meant several years ago when I first saw it. Ageless.
Drevei Cambit
thats a lovely tradition, and i may try it out. This video hits me very existentially.
James Herring
This song rocks and meaningful to me....plus Brooks is the best drummer.
Joaquin Ballen
It's cold again, it looks like rain
A procession of humanity, strikingly simian
Saunters by, I can't explain
Why it's troubling to see them so
Oh better than who we are with mania
And yearning for and learning from
Oh better than holiness and candy aisles
Of loneliness and sweet revenge
A cigarette, a memory
All connections to the permanent are burning
The pedestal gets in the way
And cannot withstand our honest scrutiny
Oh better than who we are with mania
Or standing for or dead against
Oh better than holiness and candy aisles
Of loneliness and sweet revenge
SpongeBath ShitPants
1:52 Sometimes Jay's bass fills give me heart palpitations.