JFA was formed around March of 1981. Pendleton, then in the band The Deez and Cornelius, then in the band Jr. Chemists, knew each other from shows around Phoenix, Arizona and from skateboarding. They began playing together after a D.O.A. concert during the band's Hardcore 81 tour. Bam-Bam later joined after meeting Pendleton at an "Industrial Dance" in Phoenix, and bestowed the moniker on the band, which is a reference to his second-cousin's, John Hinckley, Jr., attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan.
The band's first show was opening for Black Flag at an Industrial Dance which was one of a series of early Phoenix punk shows. Their first song of the night was Pipetruck.
Placebo Records released their debut EP "Out Of School" in late 1981. The band toured the west extensively and played many local shows. Their first national tour was in the summer of 1983 following the release of their first album "Valley ot the Yakes".
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Too Late
JFA Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you can't understand what is real
tell us about our nazi games
all you want is stupid fame
we want to survive not destroy
too late too late you coagulate
times running out on your pitiful state
you say what we do is stupid
you say it's not the right way
then you say destroy authority
i'm sure no way
Frank Sue and Henry too
don't act stupid I'm talking to you
you think you're the new way
but you're really yesterday
The song "Too Late" by JFA is a strong statement against those who criticize and misunderstand the punk culture. The opening lines "You can't understand what we feel, you can't understand what is real" emphasize the idea that mainstream society fails to comprehend the emotions and attitudes of the punk community. The lines "Tell us about our Nazi games, all you want is stupid fame" may be interpreted as a response to accusations that punk culture advocates for violence and rebellion. It can be argued that JFA is not condoning Nazi behavior, but instead, exposing the ignorance of those who use this label to attack the punk movement.
The chorus of the song reinforces JFA's efforts to survive in a hostile environment that urges conformity and marginalizes those who dare to be different. The repetition of "too late" implies that the opposition will eventually lose their ability to suppress the punk culture. The lines "Your time ran out in 78, you say what we do is stupid, you say it's not the right way" suggest that the mainstream culture has already become irrelevant and stuck in outdated ways of thinking. The final lines directly address those who pretend to belong to the punk community while following their own misguided agenda, warning them that they are not the "new way" JFA represents.
Overall, "Too Late" captures the essence of the punk subculture's fight against oppression, conformity, and misunderstanding. It is a cry for recognition, an assertion of identity, and a warning to those who seek to co-opt or suppress the punk culture.
Line by Line Meaning
You can't understand what we feel
We are in a position where you would not be able to comprehend our emotions
you can't understand what is real
You don't have the capacity to recognize what is actually happening around us
tell us about our nazi games
You continue to harp on our past mistakes and make it seem like we are still playing those games
all you want is stupid fame
You only care about becoming famous and not about our well-being
we want to survive not destroy
Our only aim is to survive, and we are not interested in harming anyone else in the process
too late too late you coagulate
The time you had to take action has already passed, and now you are only causing more problems
times running out on your pitiful state
Your current situation is dire, and you don't have much time left to rectify it
your time ran out in 78
You missed your chance to make things right back in 1978
you say what we do is stupid
You criticize us for the decisions we make, despite not knowing our circumstances
you say it's not the right way
You claim that our methods are incorrect, without suggesting alternatives
then you say destroy authority
You advocate for the destruction of authority without considering the aftermath
i'm sure no way
I am certain that your suggestion is not the correct course of action
Frank Sue and Henry too
This is a message to all of you who do not see our perspective on things
don't act stupid I'm talking to you
Don't feign ignorance; I am addressing you specifically
you think you're the new way
You act like you have found a new and better way of doing things
but you're really yesterday
In reality, you are just repeating the mistakes of the past
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MELANIE SAFKA, PETER SCHEKERYK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind