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)
Off Your Knees
F-Minus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lyrics of F-Minus's song Off Your Knees seem to be a steadfast call to action for the listener. It begins with a phrase often used as a coping mechanism: "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em." However, the phrase is not being used here as a suggestion to give up, but rather as an acknowledgment that sometimes the establishment seems too powerful to overthrow. Nevertheless, the singer asserts that they are not going back down "on [their] fucking knees." This line can be seen as a metaphorical reference to the idea of giving in and accepting the status quo. The singer rejects this idea, insisting that time is running out and one cannot waste what they have left by being subservient.
The lyrics then turn to an exploration of power dynamics and exploitation. The chorus makes it clear that those in power are not above abusing their position, but rather depend on their subordinates letting them get away with it. The singer asserts that they are not afraid to take a stand, pointing out that technology can be a weapon that can be used to level the playing field. With a finger on the trigger and an axe that can swing both ways, the singer hints at a revolution that is brewing. The last line of the chorus, "we're onto something bigger," suggests that these small acts of rebellion are part of something greater than ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. that's what they're telling me.
People are suggesting I join the oppressive group because I can't defeat them alone.
but I ain't ever goin' back there. back down on my fucking knees.
I refuse to be submissive again and will not return to a powerless state.
time is running out. what have you got?
There is limited time to make a change, and we must act now to make a difference.
they use you till you're wasted. your scared and pretend you don't see.
The oppressive group takes advantage of your vulnerabilities and fear, and you pretend not to notice.
they use you cause you let them. scared just like I used to be.
The oppressors use you because you allow them to, and you're scared just as I once was.
you know technology's a weapon. got my finger around a trigger.
Technology can be used as a powerful tool, and I have the power to use it to my advantage.
this axe swings both ways you see. and we're onto something bigger.
I have the ability to use force against oppressors, and we are working towards a greater goal.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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