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.
To Understand
GBH Lyrics
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you get a little bit, you just want more.
Go on destroying what little we got,
two steps forward three steps back.
In this crazy world you get no chances,
no-one bothers with the new dances.
Gotta get on with the pain of living,
don't look for handouts there's none been given.
It's easier to hate than to understand,
it's easier to hate than to understand.
A clenched fist or an open hand,
it's easier to hate than to understand.
Confusion reigns in vicious circles,
too much violence too many hurdles.
Peace of mind isn't much to ask for,
hangs in the air like burnin' sulphur.
There's carrots dangling everwhere,
the price you pay for a livin' nightmare.
The stench of death in every nation,
decay, disillusion and desperation.
.. sanity's just a state of mind
The lyrics of GBH's "To Understand" start off with the admission of guilt by the singer, indicating that he has also been a part of the problems afflicting the world. He refers to the greed and insatiable desire for more that is found in humans, leading to the destruction of whatever little the world possesses. The singer laments that in this crazy world, there are no second chances nor anyone interested in learning new things or ways of life. The only option is to learn to live with the pain and struggles of life since one cannot depend on anyone else's help.
The chorus of the song emphasizes that it is much easier to hate than to try to understand someone or something. It's easier for one to resort to violent means or to reject something without making an effort to understand it. However, it's harder to extend an open hand of agreement or to remain non-judgmental.
The second verse of "To Understand" refers to an ongoing cycle of confusion, violence, and hurdles that humans face. The singer states that he is not asking for much but only desires peace of mind. He compares this fleeting peace to the smell of burning sulfur hanging in the air as a reminder of the impending chaos. The lyrics go on to state that there are always opportunities dangling in front of us in the form of benefits, but these opportunities come at a cost, such as the slow decay of our souls and minds.
GBH's "To Understand" speaks of the ongoing chaos, disillusionment and desperation that pervades the world, making sanity a mere fleeting state. It portrays the vicious cycle of destruction and confusion in the world, but rather than succumb to this cycle, it pleads for a world where peace and understanding reign.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been guilty too, I ain't so pure,
Admitting to one's own mistakes and lack of purity.
you get a little bit, you just want more.
Human nature is insatiable; we always desire more.
Go on destroying what little we got,
Humanity is continuously destroying its own resources and possessions.
two steps forward three steps back.
Despite some progress, there is still an overall lack of progress as we keep making mistakes.
In this crazy world you get no chances,
The world is so unpredictable and unfair that we cannot rely on it giving us opportunities.
no-one bothers with the new dances.
Most people ignore and are indifferent to new trends and ideas.
Gotta get on with the pain of living,
Enduring the difficulties and hardships of life is necessary.
don't look for handouts there's none been given.
People should not expect others to give them favors or help, as they are unlikely to receive any.
It's easier to hate than to understand,
Empathy and understanding require effort, whereas hatred and ignorance come naturally.
A clenched fist or an open hand,
There are two ways to approach life; with anger and strife, or with peace and cooperation.
it's easier to hate than to understand.
Repeating the previous line to emphasize its message.
Confusion reigns in vicious circles,
Society is stuck in a cycle of violence, hatred and misunderstanding.
too much violence too many hurdles.
There are too many problems and obstacles that need solving, especially rampant violence.
Peace of mind isn't much to ask for,
Mental harmony and tranquility should be a common, basic request for all.
hangs in the air like burnin' sulphur.
However, due to all the chaos and toxicity in society, peace of mind is difficult to achieve.
There's carrots dangling everwhere,
The world dangles many incentives or rewards that people can use to improve their lives.
the price you pay for a livin' nightmare.
However, these rewards or incentives are only temporary and do not make up for the suffering one endures in life.
The stench of death in every nation,
Every nation is tainted by death and loss, be it literal or metaphorical.
decay, disillusion and desperation.
Society is plagued by many negative emotions and situations that cause its gradual deterioration.
.. sanity's just a state of mind
Closing line that emphasizes the notion that sanity or mental wellness is subjective and varies for each individual.
Contributed by Samuel S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.