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.
Religious Ripoff
Government Issue Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where's your bible? where's your money?
You can't sell religion though the tube
Send you money we'd all get screwed
Religious ripoff/gospel scam
Ernest angeley/billy graham
Upside-down cross is what you should wear
TV evangelists put on a show
Trying to tell me what they know
Just send us money & you'll be saved
Pretty soon you'll be our slave
(chorus)
You say this program may change my life
When all you give me is song & dance
I can get that slime if I watch prime-time
What you do is a gospel crime
In "Religious Ripoff," Government Issue highlights the issue of religious hypocrisy and commercialization. The lyrics question the motives of televangelists who ask for money in exchange for salvation. The song encourages listeners to think for themselves and to avoid being fooled by those who claim to have all the answers. The line "Telling me how to live my life, where's your bible? Where's your money?" challenges the hypocrisy of those who preach about a simplistic life while being in a position of wealth and power. The song also makes a reference to two famous televangelists, Ernest Angley and Billy Graham, and suggests that they, too, are just part of the problem.
The group specifically points out television evangelists, who they think put on a show rather than practicing the religion. They also criticized those who appeared to be after personal gain rather than spreading the word of God. The song is advising people not to get duped by these people's talking when they ask them to send them money in exchange for salvation. The song's chorus suggests that the group's stardom movement constitutes a gospel scam. The song also encourages listeners to be wary of the upsurge of enticements for their means and the now common offer of a simple solution to all their problems.
Line by Line Meaning
Telling me how to live my life
The religious figures preach about how to lead their lives.
Where's your bible? where's your money?
The hypocrisy of religious figures who preach yet do not follow their own preachings is highlighted.
You can't sell religion through the tube
Religion cannot be sold on TV like other products.
Send you money we'd all get screwed
People who send money as donations to religious figures become victims of a scam.
Religious ripoff/gospel scam
The religious figures and organizations are involved in fraudulent activities.
Ernest angeley/billy graham
Examples of religious figures who are involved in scams are given.
Upside-down cross is what you should wear
The religious symbols are worn as a part of a fashion statement.
Religious ripoff is everywhere
Fraudulent practices are prevalent in the religious industry.
TV evangelists put on a show
Religious figures on TV perform for their audience.
Trying to tell me what they know
The religious figures try to educate people about their faith.
Just send us money & you'll be saved
The religious figures ask for donations and make false promises about saving people.
Pretty soon you'll be our slave
People who fall prey to scams become enslaved to the religious figures or organizations.
You say this program may change my life
The religious figures make false claims about the ability of their program to change someone's life.
When all you give me is song & dance
The religious figures do not provide any substantial help or guidance.
I can get that slime if I watch prime-time
The same deception can be found in other TV shows.
What you do is a gospel crime
The religious figures committing fraud are betraying the faith and the community they claim to be a part of.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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