Given the long-running nature of the band, many participants in the D.C. hardcore scene had gone through G.I.'s membership. Government issue featured Brian Baker of Minor Threat, as well as Mike Fellows of Rites Of Spring and many others.
The G.I.s, as they were known, became one of the longest-running bands in the D.C. hardcore scene. After numerous line-up changes, the band broke up in 1989, vocalist John Stabb (aka: "Fruit Loops", he also had a band called Betty Blue in the mid-'90s, around 96-98, not sure of the status of that group, however) and guitarist Tom Lyle formed an experimental outfit called Glee Club and made two records. In addition, Tom Lyle made two solo records that were a more straight-ahead hard rock in 1990 and 1992.
Tom Lyle, Bassist J. Robbins, and drummer Peter Moffett regrouped to record two unrecorded G.I. songs. This was released as the Rollkicker Laydown E.P.
Bassist Jay Robbins went on to form Jawbox. Robbins later began Burning Airlines with G.I. drummer Peter Moffett.
Stabb formed the D.C. quintet The Factory Incident in 2000.
Fashionite
Government Issue Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I was you I wouldn't be seen
You say that my clothes are strange
But don't your jeans give your ass a pain?
You're all a bunch of fashionites
Tran and follow the next big trend
You're lower than a parasite
Shops in all the high class stores
All you are is high class whores
Georgetown's where you spend your time
Think you're cool but you're just slime
The lyrics of the song 'Fashionite' by Government Issue talk about the obsession with fashion and style in society. The opening lines speak of a woman who always wears tight jeans and those who associate with such people are warned not to be seen with them. The lyrics then go on to criticize those who follow fashion trends blindly and who shop at high-end stores for the sake of status. The overall tone of the song is that people who are obsessed with fashion are shallow and lacking in substance.
The use of language in the song is quite aggressive, with terms such as 'parasite' and 'slime' being used to describe those who follow fashion trends. This language helps to reinforce the idea that fashion is a trivial and unimportant aspect of people's lives, and that there are more important things to focus on. The song is meant to be a critique of society's obsession with fashion and style, and an encouragement to focus on more meaningful pursuits.
Line by Line Meaning
Always wears her tight ass jeans
This person always wears form-fitting jeans.
If I was you I wouldn't be seen
The singer thinks wearing such jeans would be unfavorable.
You say that my clothes are strange
Someone criticized the singer's style.
But don't your jeans give your ass a pain?
The artist thinks that tight jeans must be uncomfortable.
You're all a bunch of fashionites
The artist addresses a group of people who follow trends.
Tran and follow the next big trend
These individuals like following the latest style craze.
You're lower than a parasite
The singer thinks that fashion followers are unimportant and insignificant.
'cause all you are is a fashionite
The artist confirms that these individuals are simply fashion followers
Shops in all the high class stores
These individuals prefer to shop at upscale, designer stores.
All you are is high class whores
The artist is criticizing this group's materialistic values.
Georgetown's where you spend your time
These individuals hang out in elite, trendy neighborhoods.
Think you're cool but you're just slime
The artist sees these individuals as shallow and uncool, despite their efforts to appear otherwise.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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