They started in 1995 with Brad Logan, Jen Johnson, Timmy Chunks and Awol. Not much happened until Sarah Lee replaced Timmy Chunks on guitar and named the band in 1996. As for the rest of 1996, it was still a slow start, due to Brad and Awol being gone most of the year, touring with the bands they worked with. They played a few shows here and there.
Then, in 1997, they finally started playing more shows and recorded a few compilation tracks. At that point, they figured it would be cool to start working on some stuff that they would actually put out. Chris Lagerborg replaced Awol on drums and they released their first two 7"s, Failed Society on Hellcat Records and Won't Bleed Me on Pelado Records.
In 1998, Adam Zuckert took over drum duties and Erica Daking replaced Sarah Lee on guitar. The rest of that year they worked on what would become their first full length, F-Minus-F-Minus F-Minus, or simply known as their self-titled album.
Then Brad, Jen, Erica and another new drummer, John Guerra, spent the rest of 1999 and 2000 touring the U.S. and Europe.
With the end of 2000 approaching and Brad and Erica now living in New York, they once again brought Adam Zuckert's drum skills back on board to write and record the second record, Suburban Blight. Adam and Jen on the West Coast and Brad and Erica on the East Coast. With the release of Suburban Blight in 2001, they continued touring the States and Europe.
At the end of 2002, it was once again time for a new record. Josiah Steinbrick replaced Jen on Bass and they recorded Wake Up Screaming in Chicago with Steve Albini. The record came out in 2003, and the band spent much of the year touring the U.S. and Europe.
In 2004, Jen briefly joined the band again to do a tour of Japan with Erica, Joe and Adam. The last F-Minus show to date was October 2004, at the Knitting Factory in Los Angeles. The line up consisted of Brad, Jen, Erica,A dam and Joe for a total of three guitars present that evening.
F-Minus were known for their dueling male and female vocals in songs that were sometimes as short as 12 seconds.
One of their noted primary influences is Nausea, where the vocal stylings no doubt descend from.
Throughout their career, they covered songs from several notable bands, to include Antidote, Black Randy, The Metro Squad, Negative Approach and Agnostic Front.
Albums and EP's
* Voice of Treason Cassette (Self Released, 1996)
* Failed Society 7" (Hellcat, 1997)
* Won't Bleed Me 7" (Pelado, 1997)
* Failed Society / Won't Bleed Me Cassette (Self Released, 1997)
* Self Titled LP/CD (Hellcat, 1999)
* Suburban Blight LP/CD (Hellcat, 2001)
* Split With Crack Rock Steady 7 - Baby Jesus Sliced Up In a Manger 10" (Knife or Death, 2001)
* Sweating Blood 7" (Bridge 9, 2003)
* Wake Up Screaming LP/CD (Hellcat, 2003)
* Won't Bleed Me / Failed Society CD (Alternative Tentacles, 2005)
Compilations
* Give Em' The Boot Volume 1 CD (Hellcat, 1997)
* Old Skars and Upstarts CD/LP (Alive, 1997)
* Give Em' The Boot Volume 2 CD (Hellcat, 1999)
* Vans Off The Wall Volume 3 CD (Vans, 2000)
* Tomorrow Seems So Hopeless CD (Eyeball, 2000)
* Give Em' The Boot Volume 3 CD (Hellcat, 2002)
* Against Police Justice CD (Non-Commercial, 2003)
* Punk O' Rama Volume 8 CD (Epitaph, 2003)
* Give Em' The Boot Volume 4 CD (Hellcat, 2004)
* Give Em' The Boot DVD (Hellcat, 2005)
Light at the End
F-Minus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lyrics of F-Minus's song "Light at the End" describe being in a dark and oppressive place, possibly referring to addiction, depression or another similar struggle. The opening lines describe this place as somewhere to begin, suggesting that the difficult reality the singer finds themselves in is actually a starting point for something new. However, the next line, "before you can say they're draggin' you in," indicates that they are being pulled back into this dark place against their will. Despite this, the chorus of "light at the end" offers hope that there is a way out.
The second verse continues to describe the struggle, referencing the idea that the worse things are, the more there is to say. This suggests that the singer is finding a voice in their struggles, perhaps by sharing their story with others. The line, "when they hand out the roles you will play the thief," suggests that the singer is recognizing negative labels others may be placing on them, and is questioning those labels.
The final chorus repeats the phrase "light at the end," but then points to the idea that there is "no way to escape all the ways we offend," indicating that even when we are trying to overcome something difficult, we may still make mistakes and hurt others. The last line of "the ruins of you, my light at the end" could refer to recognizing the brokenness in oneself as a starting point for moving forward, and seeing potential light in the midst of the darkness.
Line by Line Meaning
The place where you are, a place to begin.
Your current situation, no matter how bad, can be an opportunity to start fresh.
Before you can say they're draggin' you in.
Sometimes bad things happen so suddenly that you don't even have time to react.
Light at the end.
Hope or a way out is possible after going through difficult times.
So you come from a place deep underground where it's dark and it's better the worse things are. The more insane, the more to say. Light at the end.
You may have come from a tough background where the worse things were, the more you had to fight back. But even in those dark moments, there was still hope.
When they hand out the roles you will play the thief. Who will fight to be liar? Who will fight for cheat?
Society may force you into certain roles or labels, but you have the power to choose your own path and decide who you want to be.
I will never again care or see the things you are that ruin me. Light at the end.
You refuse to let negative people or situations bring you down anymore. You see the light at the end of the tunnel, a way out of the darkness.
No way to escape all the ways we offend. The ruins of you, my light at the end.
We all make mistakes and hurt others, but even in the midst of those broken relationships, there can be a way towards redemption and healing.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GARY TALLEY, KEN M. SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
UnsolicitedBirds
F-Minus is fucking sick. One of my all-time favorite band. They sound fucking amazing live, too.
MrRyrylarge
I fucking love this band. I wish I'd got to see them live.
A-MOK Skateboarding
LONG LIVE F-MINUS!
Darrin Hall
Greatest Band In The World 🌍
Darz K.
They really do live up to their name.
kevin still
dear Lord, i love this track.
mi san thrøpe
A wonderful thumbnail - a wonderful track !
"The ruins of you .... my light at the end."
divineactivity
goosebumps forever.
Clinton Kinsey
Dude, fuckin F-MINUS!!!! Seen em 3 times and got to chill with brad once cool fucking guy!
Cubehead666
I like their name; F-minus sounds like my typical report card.