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.
FBI
Fifteen Lyrics
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So I checked out the FBI website
They said Earth First! is a terrorist organization
I guess you're either in favor of the Earth or the nation
It said if you try to stop violence, against the land
Then you are engaged in domestic terrorism
But if your company clears 95% of the trees from the face of the earth
Then you are engaged in righteous and holy production
Truth is obedience, Fear is sanity
I proceeded on down the list
It said the AIM is terrorist
It said they might become a big problem
Cuz we only killed 99% of them and we hear a few might have guns
They say if your race tries to survive
Then you're engaged in domestic terrorism
But if we commit a little genocide
We are engaged in righteous and holy imperialism
Peace is violence, Freedom is slavery
Truth is obedience, Fear is sanity
The earth will rebel against you, you have been warned
The song "FBI" by Fifteen has powerful lyrics that critique the actions and beliefs of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The song starts with the singer stating he couldn't sleep and turned to the FBI website for distraction. The lyrics "I guess you're either in favor of the Earth or the nation" highlights the conflict between those who want to protect the environment and those who prioritize economic growth.
The song then delves into the idea that if you try to stop violence against the land, the government considers it domestic terrorism. The irony is that if a company destroys 95% of trees, the government deems it "righteous and holy production." These lyrics emphasize the skewed priorities of the government which prioritize profit over environmental protection, and make it seem like peaceful protestors who aim to protect the earth are viewed as more dangerous than companies that profited from destroying it.
The song also touches upon the idea of race and oppression, and how the government considers it terrorism if minority groups push for their own survival. But the lyrics emphasize that when the government engages in genocide, they see it as "righteous and holy imperialism". Through these lyrics, Fifteen brings to light the hypocrisy and neglect of the government towards its people, the environment, and justice.
Line by Line Meaning
I couldn't get to sleep at all last night
The poet's insomnia has led him to browse the internet out of boredom
So I checked out the FBI website
The poet visits the Federal Bureau of Investigation's official website as a source of entertainment
They said Earth First! is a terrorist organization
The FBI labels environmental activist group Earth First! as a terrorist organization
I guess you're either in favor of the Earth or the nation
The poet implies that one must choose between being a nationalist or an environmentalist
It said if you try to stop violence, against the land
The FBI views attempts to protect the environment against any harm as domestic terrorism
Then you are engaged in domestic terrorism
The FBI's logic rebrands environmental activism as domestic terrorism
But if your company clears 95% of the trees from the face of the earth
Companies are permitted to destruct the environment, felling most trees, and this is considered commendable
Then you are engaged in righteous and holy production
Destructive actions, while destructive to the environment, are praised as beneficial, thus the use of the word 'holy'
Peace is violence, Freedom is slavery
The FBI's labelling of environmental activists as 'terrorists', while validating corporations harm to the environment rebrands peace as violence and freedom as slavery
Truth is obedience, Fear is sanity
The FBI advocates that believing in their perceptions and obeying them is the truth and any alternatives are irrational and sinister.
I proceeded on down the list
The poet continues to search the list from FBI's website to see what else is considered terrorism
It said the AIM is terrorist
The FBI deems the American Indian Movement (AIM) as a terrorist group
It said they might become a big problem
The FBI perceives that the American Indian Movement might become a significant challenge in the future.
Cuz we only killed 99% of them and we hear a few might have guns
The FBI suggests that they have eliminated a vast majority of the American Indian Movement, but perceives that some survivors still persist, and continue to arm themselves.
They say if your race tries to survive
The FBI means to say that if any marginalized group dares to fight oppression and survive, it will label them as terrorists.
Then you're engaged in domestic terrorism
The FBI official labels any (attributed with a certain race) attempt to survive as domestic terrorism
But if we commit a little genocide
The FBI insinuates that genocide is of no concern to the US government
We are engaged in righteous and holy imperialism
The FBI uses the term 'righteous and holy imperialism' to justify and praise forceful expansion and oppression
The earth will rebel against you, you have been warned
The poet warns that the earth will follow the natural cycle to fight against the harmful force of humanity and the government will eventually face the backlash.
Contributed by Peyton C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ned the Mumbler
Look at his face when he gets pulled over . He has emotions.
Mirjana Mikšić
Only for himself, bad man..
TheGoodDivorceLawyer
We can all say that he's presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, but really believe he is GUILTY, well, because he is. His lawyers need to convince him that he has no chance of getting out of this and plea him out for life in prison with no chance of parole. Is there anyone who can't see the connections and believes a jury would actually acquit?
lynn hubbard
OJ, remember?
jabbermocky
Hear, hear.
Cpt Cabernet
So sad… he was clearly suffering from a very serious mental health condition that our society has to get better at identifying and treating. These social media applications have the ability now to help identify these people inadvertently or perhaps in this case proactively trying to ask for help. Many people who turn to serious narcotics are likely in the same boat. They are dealing with serious shit causing them to revert to self harm which is one step removed from hurting others. We have to help these people find the medical facilities and treatments they need to cure or at least contain these behaviours.
LBlush
It’s called better parenting and being involve and responsible for your kids. All mental issues start with recreational drugs in turn turns to hard drug. Stop feeling sorry for bad parenting and kids/adults choosing the path they chose. He lives in America and no one held a gun to his head and forced him to take drugs and kill people 🙄. Maybe it is all of the Hollywood crap including Netflix who always glamorizes these killers that f with the kid’s development. Then it comes back to parenting and how involved you are in politics to prevent Hollywood and Netflix to promote this stuff.
Nancy Chace
Agree. Also improving and building new and better resources is also needed.
Octavia Walker
The glare and stare he has is scary. Nothing is there, kind of like empty like.
liz lee
Thank you for this very interesting discussion. It's good to hear analysis about this awful case without the gossipy speculation so common in online comments.