Current line-up:
Chris Doherty – Vocals, Guitar (July 1980 – present)
Mike Earls – guitar (1996 – 1998; 2007 – present)
Walter Gustafson – drums (Feb 1984 – Sep 1985, Feb – Aug 1991, 1996 – 1998; 2005-present)
Matt Sandonato – Bass (1996 – present)
Past lineups
In 1985 Doherty reemerged with an all new Gang Green lineup consisting of himself (vocals, guitar), Chuck Stilphen (guitar, vocals), Glen Stilphen (bass, vocals) and Walter Gustafson (drums). This second lineup is the most famous nationally as it was both the first to tour and the one that recorded the classic songs "Alcohol" and "Skate to Hell". This edition of Gang Green released the Another Wasted Night LP on Taang! Records in 1986. It is regarded as one of the definitive hardcore records of its time.
By 1987, when they were signed by Roadrunner Records the band’s musical style had become to lean more toward heavy metal and the personnel of the band, save Doherty, had changed completely. This incarnation of Gang Green consisted of Doherty, Fritz Erickson (guitar), Joe Gittleman (bass) and former Jerry's Kids drummer Brian Betzger. In 1989 Gittleman left to devote more time to The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and was replaced by Josh Pappe, formerly of Dirty Rotten Imbeciles.
After touring the United States with Social Distortion in 1990 Gang Green experienced a few more lineup shuffles before being dropped by Roadrunner and going on hiatus for several years in which Doherty founded the bands Klover (Mercury Records) and Hamerd.
In 1996 Gang Green surfaced yet again with 5 reunion dates on the east coast with the Stilphen brothers which included shows at The Rat and CBGB's. With Walter Gustafson remaining on drums, along with newcomers Mike Earls (guitar, vocals) and Matt Sandonato (bass, vocals), the band re-signed with Taang! Records and in 1997 released Back & Gacked (EP) and Another Case Of Brewtality. These records saw the band returning their punk roots and even moving in a pop direction. Gang Green toured Europe and the U.S. extensively in 1997 and 1998. Chris Doherty moved from Boston to Cincinnati shortly afterwards and in the early 2000s Gang Green played only once or twice a year in Boston and NYC.
Current
In 2005 Chris Doherty and a new Gang Green lineup supported the Dropkick Murphys’ tour of the U.S. west coast tour. The band began a European tour in 2007. The same year, they announce that they were working on a new album set to be released summer of that year.
In 2009 Chris Doherty formed a Cincinnati chapter of the band with a lineup featuring Chris Donnelly, Matt Bryant and Troy Bryant and began playing a few local shows. It was announced in 2010 that the band is working on their new album in studio and also preparing for several live dates.
Kill a Commie
Gang Green Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kill a commie x2
I don't wanna die!
Kill a commie x2
I don't wanna go to war!
Before he kills you!
Kill a commie x2
That's all I wanna do!
Kill a commie x2
I don't wanna die!
Kill a commie x2
I don't wanna go to war!
Kill a commie x2
Before he kills you!
Kill a commie x2
That's all I wanna do!
Kill a commie x2
I don't wanna die!
Kill a commie x2
I don't wanna go to war!
Kill a commie x2
Before he kills you!
Kill a commie x2
That's all we have to do!
The lyrics to Gang Green's song "Kill a Commie" are straightforward and explicit. The lyrics contain a series of grim repetitions, urging the audience to kill a communist before they kill you. The song is a rallying cry, calling for all people to rise against communism and eradicate it by any means necessary.
At one level, the lyrics can be interpreted as the singer's fear of being drafted during times of war. The lyrics explicitly state that the singer does not want to die or go to war, but instead wants to kill a communist. This fear is a common sentiment among young men who were subject to the draft during the Vietnam War.
However, the lyrics are also a reflection of the prevailing attitude towards communism during the Cold War era. The song taps into the anti-communist hysteria that was prevalent at the time, and the lyrics are a call to arms to fight against the communist threat. The song captures the simple, us-vs-them mentality that characterised the Cold War era, with communists being painted as the enemy that needed to be destroyed.
Overall, the lyrics to "Kill a Commie" can be seen as a reflection of the zeitgeist of the Cold War era, where the fear of communism and the urge to eradicate it were strong motivating factors in popular culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Kill a commie x2
Expressing the desire to eliminate communist ideology and those who support it. Repeated for emphasis.
I don't wanna die!
Fear of personal harm or death resulting from communist ideology.
Kill a commie x2
Reiteration of the desire to eliminate communism and its supporters to prevent harm or death.
I don't wanna go to war!
Avoiding the use of military action and advocating for the elimination of communism through alternative means.
Before he kills you!
Highlighting the perceived threat of communism and its potential for violence against those who oppose it.
Kill a commie x2
Restating the primary goal of eliminating communism and its supporters.
That's all I wanna do!
Affirming the singular focus on eradicating communism and rejecting any other alternatives.
Kill a commie x2
Repeating the central directive of eliminating communism and its supporters.
I don't wanna die!
Reiterating the fear of personal harm or death resulting from communism.
Kill a commie x2
Reasserting the determination to eliminate communist ideology and those who believe in it.
I don't wanna go to war!
Continuing to reject military action to combat communism.
Before he kills you!
Emphasizing the perceived threat of violence from communist ideology.
Kill a commie x2
Reemphasizing the primary goal of eliminating communism and its supporters.
That's all we have to do!
Suggesting the simplicity of the solution to the issue of communism and its harmful effects.
Contributed by Savannah V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.