1982 saw GBH's first LP, City Baby Attacked By Rats. The album was marked lyrically with harsh criticism of British and European culture, typical of UK punk. It was also full of violence, morbidity (especially in reference to the song "Passenger On The Menu", which describes in graphic detail the experiences of the passengers on the Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571), atheism, nihilism, social anarchism, and generalised absurdity. However not political, the album's lyrics do seem remarkably socially aware. This kind of content would later follow up in later GBH releases. Musically, the album was loud, and fast, with most songs staying under three minutes, typical of the hardcore punk genre. This is also a trademark of future GBH releases.
In 1983 the band changed their name to simply GBH, arguably just because the word "Charged" in front of their name had dropped from the lingo of many of their fans. (The name change was announced at a gig in the now defunct 'Golden Eagle' public house, where GBH were playing along with ex-Hawkwind sax player Nik Turner's 'Inner City Unit').
GBH are known to be pioneers of the UK82 second wave of British punk rock in the 1980s, along with fellow pioneers Discharge, Broken Bones, The Exploited, The Varukers. and The Skeptix.
The band has, for the most part, kept true to its original punk rock roots since its formation, unlike many other former punk bands, especially hardcore bands, who later formed the Post-Punk genre of the mid to late 80s. However the band has experimented with, alongside many other hardcore punk bands, notably The Exploited, a bit of what is known as metal crossover. Metal Crossover is when punk bands use riffs of heavy metal in their music, usually just as a break in the monotony of the traditional two and three chord, punk rock sound. Some punk rock purists argue that when punk bands do this they break from the original punk sound, and therefore become simply metal bands. The band, though, maintains that they are, in fact, still a punk rock band. However, the band has done this quite a lot, especially experimenting with it heavily in their 1992 release Church of the Truly Warped. This sound carried over even into their latest LPs. However, they have been falling back more on their original punk rock sound roots recently.
The band is still active and touring, even among many circulating rumours about a break up. The band maintains a strong cult following both in England and the rest of Europe, as well as in America and Japan, where some say that punk is still in its elementary to mid-stages.
Malice in Wonderland
GBH Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Burning down on me
Mountains rise and kiss the sky
Then crumble to the sea
But alas all's not well in Eden now
Things ain't what they seem
There's malice in Wonderland
Malice in Wonderland, and it's getting bad
He's got a tear in his eye
His only friend deserted him
Drank a Bourbon bottle dry
Heaven or hell go where you please
You'll live with your own curse
When Hell is full up to the brim
The dead shall stalk the earth
The lyrics to GBH's song "Malice in Wonderland" depict the darker side of life and the world around us. The opening lines describe the scorching sun and the majestic mountains, but then quickly shift to a more foreboding tone with the line "alas all's not well in Eden now." This line is a direct reference to the biblical story of Adam and Eve, where Eden was a paradise until the serpent brought sin into the world. Thus, the implication is that the world we live in is no longer the paradise it once was.
Line by Line Meaning
See the sun way up high
Looking up at the bright sun in the sky.
Burning down on me
Feeling the intense heat from the burning sun.
Mountains rise and kiss the sky
The majestic mountains ascend into the sky.
Then crumble to the sea
The mountains eventually erode and fall into the ocean.
But alas all's not well in Eden now
However, despite the beauty of the natural world, something is wrong.
Things ain't what they seem
The appearance of things is deceiving.
There's malice in Wonderland
There is a sinister presence lurking beneath the surface of Wonderland.
Malice in Wonderland, and it's getting bad
This malicious force is growing stronger and more dangerous.
The preacher man he looks oh so sad
The preacher is sorrowful and downtrodden.
He's got a tear in his eye
The preacher is shedding a tear.
His only friend deserted him
The preacher has been abandoned by his only companion.
Drank a Bourbon bottle dry
The companion drank all of the preacher's Bourbon.
Heaven or hell go where you please
People have the freedom to choose their spiritual destination.
You'll live with your own curse
However, the consequences of their actions will inevitably follow them.
When Hell is full up to the brim
A day will come when Hell is overflowing with the wicked.
The dead shall stalk the earth
At that point, the deceased will roam the world of the living.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GBH, Abrahall
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@danmichener8716
Still my favorite GBH song and a top 10 punk song. I wish someone would post the tab
@sparta0204
The best song ever from G.B.H. ! Still love it
@TheDanirvila
PARECE QUE NO HAY MUCHA GENTE QUE CONOZCA ESTA CANCION,GREETINGS FROM SPAIN
@codyford66
I was in high school when I got my hands on this record. Notice I said record? Not tape, not CD, not mp3. Even though I was in Fort Worth Texas, I was still apart of this sub culture, and still am. Most of us are dead or have the curse of growing old. Those issues that use to be so important, now mean nothing today. I've almost forgotten who that strung out, angry, kid was. Thanks for posting this track.
@vandalo6851
Love this band, Used to listen to this all the time back in the '80's..it still Kicks Ass!! Fuck YEAH from Firenze
@raymondprince2825
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@PatternistSlave
When hell is full up to the brim, the dead shall stalk the earth.
@enjoiskaterguy
Si'mon...greetings from the US
@PatternistSlave
Greetings from US.
@TRAPUERTO
Cuando el infierno esté lleno
los muertos acecharán la tierra