Virtually unknown out of their hometown, the Crush released their classic debut on Lethal records, A World of Pain. Even their own label at the time (lethal) chose to ignore them, and instead chose to promote their better known acts like HFL, China White and Chuck. The World Of Pain CD ended up on FLIPSIDE's best of 1995 OC records lists as the NUMBER 2 record, behind only the US BOMBS and ahead of the Stitches 8 X 12 album.
Shortly after, the band's original drummer, Gino ended up in the Minnesota state prison system, George, the original BONECRUSHER guitarist, suffered as well, he ended up in the band ADZ. At this time the band was self-destructing with drug stints and jail time.
In late 1996, the Crusher returned invigorated with a new understanding of itself, where it has gained praise and momentum since, with the addition of HFL's, Pat Hall and the amazing Noah Lysek on drums, they went in the studio to record and produced one of OC's greatest recordings to date, this session went on to become the Animal ep and No Escape, both on Hostage records.
Every band has a defining moment, a point at which things can never be the same, and never go back to what they were...it can either ruin or make you. For Bonecrusher, their defining moment did both, simultaneously. It was one of those, "battle of the punk bands" shows at Malone's Club in Anaheim, put on to showcase the locals.
The Crusher showed up and proceeded to absolutely blow it out, and the frenzied crowd followed suit, a sea of people out of control. The club owners freaked, and pulled the PA plug, an undaunted Raybo, continued to wail the vocals, along with the crowd, sans a microphone, and the palace exploded with energy and chaos. The club owners called the police, who shut the club down and of course, the band came in 2nd place, they lost points for the riot. The band had solidified their spot in OC punk lore, however, now no promoter would touch them, it was a year before their next show.
In 1997, they finally got another live gig, at the now defunct, Clipper in Long Beach, which was promoted by Outsider. The band pumped with a year's worth of frustration, delivered in grand fashion, in fact Outsider was so impressed, they immediately stuck the band in the studio, to record what became the legendary Angry Youth single, released on their own label. Until the club's demise, the Crusher was somewhat of a house band, playing for free, once a month opening and proceeding to smoke a whole slew of headliners like the US BOMBS, Mindrot and the Battalion of Saints
Maximum Rock and Roll, Flipside, Skratch and 3rd Generation Nation magazines all began to rally around the band with great reviews and feature interviews, mid 1998 found the Crush back in the studio recording for their much anticipated follow-up CD, in true Bonecrusher fashion, they decided to do it themselves.
The Fight
Bonecrusher Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That I'm so alive and free
No matter what the hell you put me through.
Do you think I really care
That this world is so unfair
So don′t you try to tell me what to do.
In this life I've seen them come and I've seen them go.
I′ve seen the hardest man go down in burning flames.
On the darkest streets wrapped up in chains.
Through the sadness and pain, where I almost went insane,
In a pit of fire and hell that was my own.
Through the cold and bitterness
Seeking shelter from the storm
Had to find the strength to keep on marching on.
In this life!
Lt′s so obvious to me
That I'm so alive and free
No matter what the hell you put me through.
When you think I really care
That this world is so unfair,
Aint no one gonna tell me what to do.
Pulled my eyes out of the darkness from the bottom of my soul
With the fucking heart to keep on marching on.
In this life!
In the first verse of Bonecrusher’s song The Fight, the singer expresses a sense of confidence and freedom despite any difficult experiences he may have endured. He refuses to be told what to do by anyone, as he has already witnessed the fall of even the toughest individuals. He reflects on the hardships he’s faced and overcome, including feelings of sadness and pain that nearly caused him to lose his mind. He alludes to being wrapped up in chains, possibly symbolizing feelings of being trapped or held back in some way. However, he has found the strength to continue pushing forward, seeking shelter from the storm and reminding himself that he is alive and free.
In the second verse, the singer emphasizes his resilience and perseverance by declaring that he pulled himself out of darkness and continued to march on with his heart intact. This could be interpreted as overcoming personal demons or troubled times. His assertiveness in the chorus is even stronger this time around, as he repeats his disregard for the world being unfair and his unwillingness to be controlled by anyone else. The song overall could be seen as a battle cry of sorts for anyone who has faced adversity in their life and come out the other side stronger than before.
Line by Line Meaning
It's so obvious to me
I am fully aware of my own existence and my freedom of choice.
That I'm so alive and free
I feel fully alive and liberated in my actions and thoughts.
No matter what the hell you put me through.
I am unaffected by any obstacle or challenge that comes my way.
Do you think I really care
I am indifferent towards the opinions or beliefs of others.
That this world is so unfair
I understand that the world can be unjust and inequitable at times.
So don't you try to tell me what to do.
I refuse to be controlled or influenced by anyone else's directives.
In this life I've seen them come and I've seen them go.
I have witnessed people enter and exit my life over time.
I've seen the hardest man go down in burning flames.
I have witnessed even the strongest individuals crumble under pressure or adversity.
In this life I felt the wind go through these bones
I have experienced moments of vulnerability and exposure.
On the darkest streets wrapped up in chains.
I have been in some of the bleakest situations, feeling restrained and powerless.
Through the sadness and pain, where I almost went insane
I have endured immense suffering and reached the brink of mental breakdown.
In a pit of fire and hell that was my own.
I have faced and overcome personal demons and traumatic experiences.
Through the cold and bitterness
I have navigated through difficult circumstances and emotions.
Seeking shelter from the storm
I have searched for refuge and protection during turbulent times.
Had to find the strength to keep on marching on.
I have had to summon the courage and resilience to persevere.
When you think I really care
I remain indifferent to the judgments or criticisms of others.
Ain't no one gonna tell me what to do.
I refuse to allow anyone to dictate my actions or beliefs.
Pulled my eyes out of the darkness from the bottom of my soul
I have emerged from dark and despairing depths within myself.
With the fucking heart to keep on marching on.
I have persevered with a fierce and unwavering spirit.
Writer(s): George Paras, Mike Kanel, Noah Lysek
Contributed by Peyton C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@combatshock138
R.I.P. Raybo
@winnemuccamangler7657
This is their best song, don't argue, I am 100% correct!
@user-bg5ym8vg2d
ratz cavity Proud music! Antifascist Oi! from Athens, Greece!