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.
Hole in the Scene
Government Issue Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bottled veils
Dark circles under eyes
Empty lies
There's a hole in the scene
When the brain used to be
Man unkind
Images get swallowed up
Power erupts
The lyrics of "Hole in the Scene" by Government Issue addresses the disillusionment and disconnection within society, particularly in the music scene, conveying a sense of despair and hopelessness. The first part of the verse describes the physical manifestations of depression with "loneliness in their nails" and "dark circles under eyes." The second half of the verse references a feeling of deception and falsehood with "bottled veils" and "empty lies."
The chorus brings the central message of the song with the lines "there's a hole in the scene, when the brain used to be." The "hole" refers to the emptiness that has replaced the intellectual and artistic components that used to be part of the music scene.
The song continues with a mention of "a new state of mind" and "man unkind," which points to a society where people have become selfish and destructive. The line "images get swallowed up, power erupts" speaks to the idea that the images that people create can consume them, leading to a desire for power and control.
Overall, "Hole in the Scene" conveys a sense of cynicism and disappointment with the state of society as a whole, particularly in the music scene, and highlights how the loss of intellectualism and artistic spirit has left an empty shell of what used to be a thriving community.
Line by Line Meaning
Loneliness in their nails
The feeling of isolation is so deeply ingrained in their personality that it's like it's hanging from their very fingertips
Bottled veils
They are repressing their true selves and hiding behind a superficial facade
Dark circles under eyes
Their exhaustion and lack of sleep is evident in their physical appearance
Empty lies
Their words are hollow and meaningless
There's a hole in the scene
Something is missing or lacking in this environment or community
When the brain used to be
When critical thought and individuality were valued and encouraged
A new state of mind
A shift in perspective or mindset is necessary to move forward
Man unkind
Humanity can be cruel and unsympathetic
Images get swallowed up
The constant onslaught of media and imagery can be overwhelming and consuming
Power erupts
Those in positions of authority or influence can abuse their power and cause destruction
Contributed by Kayla A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.