Formed in 2004 by Dan 86 (guitar), Mat (guitar), JEEE-P (vocals) and Pierre-Luc (vocals), the group originally got together as an excuse to drink and party. But following a self-released demo (2005) and a self-titled full length (2006 on Troika Records), it soon became evident that this union was particularly apt at creating solid punk rock. Many shows followed, both in and out of town, and Hold A Grudge garnered a strong fan base.
After going through countless lineup changes, notably with Pierre-Luc leaving the group in 2008, the band finally settled as a 5-piece with Dom (of Self Control) on drums and Steve (of …And The Saga Continues) on bass. Now the strongest recording to date, “Doing Time” will be released on Insurgence Records on March.17th.
What sets Hold A Grudge apart from the rest of the pack is the unique way they blend all subgenres of punk rock in one cohesive, energetic entity.
Their love and respect for punk, oi! and hardcore bands of yesteryear is evident and contagious, yet they manage to build something new and refreshing.
www.myspace.com/holdagrudge
www.insurgence.net
Dogs Bark
Hold a Grudge Lyrics
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The air grows thicker as sweat runs down my back
Too late to stop, there's no turning back
Got caught already, tonight I won't get sacked
I've done nothing wrong, why won't they let me be
Wouldn't it be wiser to fight the real enemy
Try to lock me up & prove yourself a man
Will you ever let us be
We just want to be free
Won't ever go in your cell
I'd rather rot in hell
A siren blasts, a pack of dogs bark
The air grows thicker as sweat runs down my back
Too late to stop, there's no turning back
Got caught already, tonight I won't get sacked
I've done nothing wrong, why won't they let me be
Wouldn't it be wiser to fight the real enemy
Try to lock me up & prove yourself a man
Abuse your authority and we'll take a stand
Will you ever let us be
We just want to be free
Won't ever go in your cell
I'd rather rot in hell
The lyrics of "Dogs Bark" by Hold a Grudge speaks about oppression and the abuse of authority in society. The opening line "A siren blasts, a pack of dogs bark" creates a tense and chaotic atmosphere, suggesting that something dangerous is happening. The singer describes feeling trapped, with no way out, and being caught up in the system that he perceives as unjust.
The phrase "Got caught already, tonight I won't get sacked" implies that the singer has been targeted by the authorities, possibly unfairly, and is resigned to his fate. He questions why he is being persecuted when there are bigger problems to solve. The line "Try to lock me up and prove yourself a man" suggests that the authorities are motivated by a need to exert power rather than to uphold the law.
The chorus "Will you ever let us be, we just want to be free" speaks to the idea of freedom and the desire to be left alone by those who seek to control and oppress. The song's message is a call to resist the abuses of authority and fight for a more just society. Hold a Grudge uses powerful and evocative language to convey the struggle against oppression and the fight for freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
A siren blasts, a pack of dogs bark
The authorities are coming and I am being pursued.
The air grows thicker as sweat runs down my back
I am scared and anxious about getting caught.
Too late to stop, there's no turning back
I have already committed to this path of resistance.
Got caught already, tonight I won't get sacked
I've been caught before and I won't make the same mistake again.
I've done nothing wrong, why won't they let me be
I feel like I am being unjustly targeted and oppressed.
Wouldn't it be wiser to fight the real enemy
The true enemy is the oppressive system, not individual people enforcing it.
Try to lock me up & prove yourself a man
The authorities are trying to assert their power and masculinity by punishing me.
Abuse your authority and we'll take a stand
I am not alone in my resistance and there will be consequences for the oppressors.
Will you ever let us be
I do not have hope that the oppressive system will ever change.
We just want to be free
The ultimate goal of our resistance is liberation and autonomy.
Won't ever go in your cell
I refuse to be oppressed and imprisoned by the system.
I'd rather rot in hell
I am willing to face any consequences for my resistance, even damnation.
Contributed by Julia S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.