Fifteen released their first record in 1991 on Lookout records. It was singer/guitarist Jeff Ott's vision to create music that didn't just rock, but had something important to say as well. After four records on Lookout, two on Grass Records, three on Sub City Records, and three more on indefinite self-published labels, Fifteen were viewed as the leaders in the political-punk music scene. They tackle such burning issues as homelessness, drug abuse, needle exchange, environmental destruction and the government's use of counterintelligence measures to violate activist's civil rights. Fifteen first broke up in 1996 after the self-released "extra medium kickball star."
They reformed in 1998 and released Hush and Survivor then disbanded 2000 with Jeff Ott stating that the anti-commercial DIY ethics of punk rock made it too expensive for him to have a band while raising a family.
The band had a total of fifteen members during its existence: Jeff Ott, Jack Curran, Mikey Mischief, Mark Moreno, Jean Repetto, Lucky Dog, Chris Flanagan, John Ogle, Jessie Wickman, Joe Cable, John Quintos, Scott Pierce, Jim Prior, Lisa D. and Vanessa Bain.
Armed Gangs
Fifteen Lyrics
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Tell the police to go home
No more guns in (your town here)
Tell the police to go home
How many times do I have to get fucked up, how many times
How many times do we gotta get Jacked up,
Before we realize we all need to be on the same team
This place used to feel like my home
This place used to feel like my home
Now I'm living in an OCCUPIED ZONE
How many times do you gotta get Jacked-up how many times
How many times do we gotta get jacked up before we realize we need to be on the same team
MORE COPS IS MORE GUNS IS MORE CRIME IS
MORE VIOLENT DEVASTATION
REMOVAL OF SOMEONE FROM OUR LIVES
The lyrics of Fifteen's song "Armed Gangs" describe a situation where armed gangs have taken over the town, and the police are unable to control the violence. The singer pleads with the gangs and the police to stop the violence and leave the town. The lyrics suggest that the violence is spiraling out of control and innocent people are getting hurt.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Tell the police to go home" and highlights the frustration of the singer with the police's inability to stop the gang violence. The lyrics also suggest that the singer and others in the town feel helpless and trapped in their own community. They long for a time when the town felt like home, but now it feels like an occupied zone.
Furthermore, the lyrics touch on the theme of unity and how it can help solve problems like gang violence. The singer asks, "How many times do we gotta get jacked up before we realize we need to be on the same team." This suggests that if the community works together, they can overcome the violence and feel safe once again.
Overall, "Armed Gangs" is a powerful song that highlights the devastating impact of gang violence and the difficulty of finding a solution.
Line by Line Meaning
Armed gangs out of (your town here)
We need to get rid of armed gangs from our town.
Tell the police to go home
The police are not doing their job properly, so we should ask them to leave.
No more guns in (your town here)
We need to impose strict gun laws to prevent any more violence in our town.
How many times do I have to get fucked up, how many times
How many more times do I need to suffer from the actions of armed gangs and their violent acts?
How many times do we gotta get Jacked up,
How many more times do we need to experience being robbed or attacked by these gangs?
Before we realize we all need to be on the same team
We need to unite against these gangs and work together towards a safer community.
This place used to feel like my home
Our town used to be a peaceful and safe place for us to call home.
Now I'm living in an occupied zone
The presence of armed gangs has made it feel like our town is occupied and not safe anymore.
MORE COPS IS MORE GUNS IS MORE CRIME IS
Increasing the number of cops and guns will only escalate the amount of crime and violence in our town.
MORE VIOLENT DEVASTATION
This would result in even more destruction and violence.
REMOVAL OF SOMEONE FROM OUR LIVES
The violence caused by armed gangs often results in the loss of loved ones from our lives.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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