Crashdog were known for their very direct lyrics, which they used to make social commentaries and discuss political issues of their day. Their albums included both strongly Christian songs and overtly political songs, often with a liberal bent. They were one of the first Christian bands to do this; later Christian old-school punk and hardcore bands followed suit.
In 1998 they released 8 Years to Nowhere, a selection of songs from previous recordings (originally called 8 Years from Nowhere to Nowhere). After its release, they decided to go on a one-year hiatus because their drummer, Greg Jacques, was starting a new record label, 2 Jake Records.
During their hiatus, they started another band, Ballydowse, which featured a mix of Celtic music and punk rock along with other styles. As of 2006, they still consider themselves to be on an "indefinite hiatus", but it is unlikely that they will re-form as a band.
Members
Andrew Mandell - lead vocals (originally played guitar)
Greg Jacques - drums
Brian Grover - bass
Jason Burt - guitar
Mike Perlmutter - guitar
Former members
Spike Nard (born Tim Davis) - lead vocals
Mike Simicek - bass
Discography
Hard Knocks for Hard Heads (Grrr records/Rrrough, 1990)
Humane Society (Grrr recordS/Word Entertainment, 1990)
The Pursuit of Happiness (Grrr recordS/Word Entertainment, 1993)
Mud Angels (Grrr recordS/R.E.X. Music, 1994)
Cashists Fascists and Other Fungus (Grrr recordS/R.E.X. Music, 1995)
7 Inch Finch Pinch (2Jake Records/Sin Club Records/Grrr Records, 1996)
Outer Crust (2 Jake Records/Grrr recordS, 1997)
8 Years to Nowhere (Grrr recordS, 1998)
Live at Cornerstone 2002 (authorized indie CDR)
Who?
Crashdog Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is a contrary phrase
When a criminal is sentenced
But the innocent pays
The guilty are pampered
Their rights protected
While the victim gets life
And is left neglected
Who fills the jails?
Who breaks the laws?
And who holds the scales?
An innocent man
Convicted of a crime
He was black and poor
At the wrong time
It's not a mistake
It's not judicial error
It's simply a system that don't care
As long as justice and mercy
Are held in the hands of mere men
In this twisted land
Guilty or innocent
Is what it 's not about
Just who has the money
Or who has the clout
In the song "Who?" by Crashdog, the lyrics explore the flawed American justice system that often sees innocent people paying a high price while the guilty go free. The lyrics ask important questions about the power dynamics of the justice system and who ultimately benefits from it. The singer critiques the way the guilty are protected by the system while the victim, often an innocent person, is neglected and left to suffer. The song also touches on issues of race and socioeconomic status, highlighting how these factors play a significant role in determining who is punished and who is not.
The lyrics "Who makes the laws?" and "Who holds the scales?" are powerful questions about the individuals and institutions that hold power over the justice system. The reference to the innocent black man who was falsely convicted shows the deep-seated racial biases that exist within the system. The line "It's simply a system that doesn't care" highlights the lack of empathy for those who have been wrongly accused, further emphasizing how people of lower socioeconomic standings are often ignored and unfairly treated.
Overall, "Who?" is a powerful song that speaks out against the injustices that are prevalent in American society. It calls attention to the ways in which those in power are often more interested in protecting themselves than they are in ensuring that justice is served.
Line by Line Meaning
American justice
The justice system in America
Is a contrary phrase
Is contradicting itself
When a criminal is sentenced
When someone is convicted of a crime
But the innocent pays
But often times the innocent suffer the consequences
The guilty are pampered
Those who are convicted of crimes are given better treatment than the innocent
Their rights protected
The rights of those convicted are protected by law
While the victim gets life
While the person who was wronged is left to suffer their entire life
And is left neglected
And often times ignored by the justice system
Who makes the laws?
Who is responsible for creating the laws in the justice system?
Who fills the jails?
Who is responsible for the overpopulation of jails and prisons?
Who breaks the laws?
Who is responsible for breaking the laws in the justice system?
And who holds the scales?
Who is responsible for balancing the justice system?
An innocent man
Someone who is not guilty of a crime
Convicted of a crime
Wrongly accused and found guilty
He was black and poor
A reference to the systemic racism and poverty present in the justice system
At the wrong time
In the wrong place and at the wrong time
It's not a mistake
This is not a one-time error or mistake
It's not judicial error
This is not an error on the part of the justice system
It's simply a system that don't care
It is a system that does not care about innocent people and their rights
As long as justice and mercy
Regardless of justice and compassion
Are held in the hands of mere men
Are left to be decided by people who are not infallible
In this twisted land
In America
Guilty or innocent
Doesn't matter whether someone is guilty or not
Is what it 's not about
The justice system is not about actually finding out who is guilty
Just who has the money
It's all about who has the power and money
Or who has the clout
Or who has the influence and connections
Contributed by Christian T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.