Government Issue (often just G.I.) was an American hardcore punk band origi… Read Full Bio ↴Government Issue (often just G.I.) was an American hardcore punk band originating from the Washington DC scene, formed in 1980 and signed to Dischord Records. Many early songs were straightforward hardcore, clocking in at under the one-minute mark. Still, they later progressed into a more melodic song-focused outfit (citing The Damned as key to gaining this catchy sound) and often with lyrics critical of the short-sighted behavior of the scene they aided in creating.

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.

Reflection
Government Issue Lyrics

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Too many things are happening
But none of them are happening to me
So angry I just wanna scream
My head is gonna blow

Reflection in the mirror
Only I can see reflection in the mirror
It's all to clear to me

At first I couldn't figure it out
It all seemed so crazy

The past comes back to haunt
In the back of my mind

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Government Issue's song "Reflection" depict the frustration and anger that arises when one feels disconnected from the events happening around them. The singer paints a picture of feeling left behind with too many things happening, but none of them involving or affecting them. They feel so angry that they just want to scream and their head is about to explode. In such a situation, they turn towards introspection and see both their inner self and their reflection in the mirror. Here, they realise that only they can see themselves as they truly are. They understand that everything happening around them is a reflection of their own self, and it all becomes crystal clear to them.

The lyrics of this song focus on a theme that is ever-present in society- feeling left out and detached. The singer wants to express their frustration with the things happening around them, and their inability to connect with them. They are feeling mentally overloaded to the extent that they are on the brink of losing control. The use of the reflection created in the mirror is also symbolic. It is a representation of the reality of the world, and how we perceive and react to it.

ReflectionGovernment Issue Lyrics

Reflection
Government Issue Lyrics