With frontman Lance Hahn always at its core, J Church began in San Francisc… Read Full Bio ↴With frontman Lance Hahn always at its core, J Church began in San Francisco in 1992. The original lineup was completed by bassist Gardner Maxam (who was in The Sharx, and played with Lance in his previous band, Cringer) and drummer Aaron Olson.

The group was named for the San Francisco Muni Metro line that Hahn took down Church Street to work, as well as to band practice in the the early days. Through the years, Lance was joined by a vast array of musicians in an ever-evolving J Church lineup.

Lance Hahn was also a punk rock history writer, writing many pieces for Maximum Rock 'n' Roll, the San Francisco music zine. Additionally, he also found time to run Honey Bear Records and work on a book compiling various writings on anarcho-punk bands. Lance Hahn passed away on October 21, 2007, aged 40, after falling into a coma nine days earlier due to complications from kidney dialysis.

Band Members included:

Guitar / Vocals
Lance Hahn (1991-2007)

Second Guitarist
David DiDonato (2002-2005)

Bass Players
Ben White (2002-2007)
Jeff Bursley (1999-2002)
Scott Bradley (1998-1999)
Gardner Maxam (1991-1998)

Drummers
Chris Pfeffer (2002-2007)
Adam Pfahler (1998-2002)
Andee Connors (1997-2000)
Reed Burgoyne (1995-1997)
Wade Arnold Driver Jr (1994-1995)
Brendan Murdoch (1992-1994)
Adam Pfahler (1992-1993)
Aaron Olson (1991-1992)

http://www.j-church.com

Bottom Rung
J Church Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Me, I'm part of the machine,
The bottom rung of the company,
The only time I start to worry,
Is when the machine becomes part of me

Me and my self esteem...
I'd like to go back to sleep,
But even my dreams these days,

Have work related scenes

Friday night I went out for a drink,
Saturday and Sunday I was free,
Free to sleep,
Free to read,
Freedom from security

They take away my whole day,
They're taking my soul away,
Taking my heart and soul,
For products useless anyway

Me, when I was younger I thought I was free,
How much wronger could I be?
The company will grind on careless,
With or without me

Friday night I went out for a drink,
Saturday and Sunday I was free,
Free to read,

Free to drink,
Freedom from security

Overall Meaning

The song Bottom Rung by J Church is a commentary on the dehumanizing and soul-sucking nature of corporate work. The singer of the song is a low-level employee, represented by the metaphor of the "bottom rung of the company." He laments his lack of agency within his job and the oppressive nature of corporate culture, where even his dreams are filled with work-related scenes. The singer shows a sense of resignation towards his work, with the only time he starts to worry being when he becomes too entrenched in the machine.

The song takes on an even more cynical tone when the singer reflects on his past, reminiscing about how he thought he was free when he was younger. However, he acknowledges that the company will "grind on careless, with or without me." This line illustrates the futility of many jobs, where employees feel replaceable and insignificant. The singer reveals that he finds some solace in finding freedom from the security of his job on his weekends, where he can finally read and drink in peace.

Overall, Bottom Rung is a melancholic reflection on how many jobs can strip individuals of their autonomy, creativity, and sense of self-worth. The song highlights the inhumane nature of a capitalist society that values profit over people, where employees are reduced to just another cog in the machine.

Line by Line Meaning

Me, I'm part of the machine,
I am a mere cog in the system

The bottom rung of the company,
I occupy the lowest rank in the organization

The only time I start to worry,
I fret only when my identity merges with my job

Is when the machine becomes part of me
It's only concerning when work consumes me completely

Me and my self esteem...
I struggle with my self-worth

I'd like to go back to sleep,
I wish to escape from reality

But even my dreams these days,
Even my unconscious thoughts are plagued by work

Have work related scenes
My mind is consumed by workplace scenarios

Friday night I went out for a drink,
I took a break on a Friday night

Saturday and Sunday I was free,
Weekends offer relief

Free to sleep,
I can finally rest