The NYHC Breakdown started in Yonkers, NY just outside of NYC. It consisted… Read Full Bio ↴The NYHC Breakdown started in Yonkers, NY just outside of NYC. It consisted of Jeff (Vocals), Carl (Guitar), Don (Guitar), Rich (Bass), and Drago (Drums.) The band fused the thrash style of A7 style hardcore punk with a modern metallic crunch, influenced by crossover sound of bands like Crumbsuckers, Cro-Mags, and Agnostic Front. Their classic demo, released as a 7" and then CD on Blackout! Records set the stage for bands like Hatebreed and Madball. This first line up of Breakdown split up in 1988, Jeff continued with new musicians, releasing albums on Thorp and Eyeball Records while Carl, Drago, and Rich joined with Ex-NY Hoods Guitarist and Ex-Token Entry vocalist Anthony to form Raw Deal.

Vengeance
Breakdown Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You fucked with my friend
so now you gotta pay
gonna knock some sense into you
i guess violence is the only way
you fucked with my friend
so now it's your turn
get all that you deserve
some people never learn

gonna gut you down any way i can
you fucked with my friend
to prove that you're a man
you'd better change your ways, and quick
cuz all you are is a fucking dick

you fucked with my friend
so now you gotta pay
gonna knock some sense into you
i guess violence is the only way
you fucked with my friend
so now it's your turn
get all that you deserve
some people never learn

gonna gut you down any way i can
you fucked with my friend
to prove that you're a man

you'd better change your ways, and quick
cuz all you are is a fucking dick

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Breakdown's song 'Vengeance' are quite explicit about the retaliation of the singer towards someone who has messed with his friend. The lyrics start with the singer stating that the person 'fucked with' his friend, and as a result, he is going to make them pay. The singer claims that the only way to knock some sense into this person is through violence, indicating that he is not afraid to use force to teach a lesson. The lyrics suggest that the person who messed with the singer's friend is also primarily trying to prove their masculinity by doing so. The singer asserts that this person needs to change their ways and quickly at that, as they are nothing but a 'fucking dick.'

Throughout the song, the theme of retaliation is prominent, and the singer emphasizes that everyone gets what they deserve, and some people never learn. The repetition of the lyrics, "you fucked with my friend, so now it's your turn, get all that you deserve," emphasizes the message further. The singer expresses his anger, frustration, and a sense of protectiveness towards his friend by delivering violent consequences to the person who hurt them. The lyrics of 'Vengeance' depict a scenario where loyalty and righteousness are valued above all, and those who mess with others are met with forceful retaliation.

Line by Line Meaning

You fucked with my friend
You messed with someone important to me

so now you gotta pay
You will face the consequences

gonna knock some sense into you
I will instill understanding in you through force

i guess violence is the only way
Physical aggression seems to be the only solution

so now it's your turn
It's your time to face the music

get all that you deserve
You will receive what you deserve

some people never learn
Some individuals never grasp the lesson

gonna gut you down any way i can
I will eliminate you in any way possible

to prove that you're a man
To demonstrate your masculinity

you'd better change your ways, and quick
It's in your best interest to change your behavior soon

cuz all you are is a fucking dick
Because you are nothing more than a contemptible person