Guitarist Walter Schreifels' later musical endeavors include Quicksand, Rival Schools, and Walking Concert. Frontman Civ became the singer for eponymic hardcore punk group CIV and is currently the owner of a New York City tattoo studio called Lotus Tattoos.
Gorilla Biscuits disbanded around 1991. They reformed for a benefit show at CBGB's, New York, in 1997 and August 14,2005.
They did a nationwide reunion tour in 2006, playing almost every song they wrote at every show. In 2007 they did a month-long European tour.
Degradation
Gorilla Biscuits Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell me who's right.
Tell me the last time you fought a fair
Fight. A loser's way to find some friends,
You look like a skin but that's where it
Ends. True, they're always at our shows,
It doesn't mean we fit in with their hatred
And racism shit. They ruin our name, you
Degrade our scene.
You know you can kiss my ass before I
Read your zine. There's no good side to
This white power scene. Kids beat down
For standing up. Your turn will come
Because we've all had enough. You look
Like kids we know. You're not welcome
Here. You don't like music and we don't
Like fear. I guess it's your right to be
Proud that you're white. Are you here for
Music or just to pick fights.
Don't fool yourself cause you don't fool
Me. It's not just blacks you hate, it's
Everyone you see. Rich, poor, young
And old, whoever's in your way. What a
Boring life, hating every day.
YOU'VE GOT NOTHING BUT HATRED!
The song "Degradation" by Gorilla Biscuits contains lyrics that call out white supremacists who attend their shows and attempt to spread their hateful ideology within the punk rock scene. The lyrics speak to the importance of inclusivity and non-discrimination within the punk rock community, highlighting the fact that the band has no interest in associating with those who promote hatred and bigotry. The song also brings attention to the fact that these individuals are not only a threat to the safety and peace of mind of others, but that they are also ultimately losers who seek validation in the form of a sense of belonging through their hateful beliefs.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me who's pure.
Who among us can claim to be truly without fault?
Tell me who's right.
Who among us has the absolute and objective truth?
Tell me the last time you fought a fair
Fight.
When was the last time you engaged in a conflict without resorting to underhanded tactics?
A loser's way to find some friends,
You look like a skin but that's where it
Ends.
Joining a hate-based group because of a sense of loneliness or insecurity will not solve your problems, and it does not change the fact that your beliefs are abhorrent.
True, they're always at our shows,
It doesn't mean we fit in with their hatred
And racism shit.
Just because the white supremacists attend our concerts does not mean we condone or agree with their discriminatory beliefs and actions.
They ruin our name, you
Know what I mean. Racial supremicists
Degrade our scene.
The association with white supremacists damages the reputation and integrity of our music scene as a whole.
You know you can kiss my ass before I
Read your zine.
I have no interest in reading your publication or engaging with your hateful ideology.
There's no good side to
This white power scene.
There is no justification for white supremacy or any other form of discrimination and hate.
Kids beat down
For standing up.
Your turn will come
Because we've all had enough.
Those who stand against hate are often met with violence and intimidation, but we will not back down or tolerate such behavior any longer.
You look
Like kids we know.
You're not welcome
Here.
Your appearance may be familiar to us, but your hateful beliefs and actions are not welcome in our community.
You don't like music and we don't
Like fear.
We are here for the music and the community it fosters, not for a culture of fear and hatred.
I guess it's your right to be
Proud that you're white.
Are you here for
Music or just to pick fights.
While having pride in one's ethnic background is not inherently wrong, using that pride as an excuse to spread hate and incite violence is unacceptable.
Don't fool yourself cause you don't fool
Me.
Your attempts to justify your bigotry are unconvincing and downright wrong.
It's not just blacks you hate, it's
Everyone you see.
Your hate knows no bounds and extends to anyone who does not fit your narrow worldview.
Rich, poor, young
And old, whoever's in your way.
What a Boring life, hating every day.
Your hatred is a senseless and unproductive pursuit that ultimately leads to a miserable existence.
YOU'VE GOT NOTHING BUT HATRED!
In the end, your hate will leave you with nothing but emptiness and misery.
Lyrics © KNOW YOUR RIGHTS, Songtrust Ave
Written by: WALTER SCHREIFELS, TRADITIONAL (PD)
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind