Their first release was a 7" EP on Porcell's label Schism (which he ran along with Side By Side/Gorilla Biscuits guitar player Alex Brown) entitled New York Crew. The record featured five songs, one of which was a cover of "Warriors" by the British oi!/punk band Blitz. On this recording, the band was merely a two-piece, featuring Porcelly on bass and guitar, and Ferraro on vocals and drums. But with the addition of bass-player Jimmy Yu (of Mike's former band Death Before Dishonor, which eventually evolved into Supertouch) and drummer "Lukey" Luke Abbey (Warzone/Gorilla Biscuits), they got together a fully functional live line-up.
The band received much criticism due to their militant Straight Edge lyrics, especially from fanzines like San Francisco's Maximum Rock'N'Roll. The militant lyrics were a conscious move on the band's part, as they were sick of seeing bands like Youth Of Today, who in reality had a very positive message, get slagged for being too militant. So they decided to give the nay-sayers exactly what they wanted – the most militant Straight Edge band imaginable. Mike Ferraro has later on admitted that provocation was an important aim for the band.
Judge was not just heavy in message, the music had very metal-influenced riffing, but remained close to its hardcore roots, without going all out metal, such as bands like Agnostic Front and DRI.
With a new line-up of Sammy Siegler (Side By Side/Youth Of Today/Project X etc.) on drums and Matt Pincus on bass, the band proceeded to record their full-length LP Bringin' It Down for Revelation Records at Chung King Studios in New York City. The recording was finished, but the band were so unhappy with the result that they decided to scrap it and re-record it at Normandy Sound in Rhode Island, where The Cro-Mags had recorded their Best Wishes album. Revelation did however put out a limited pressing of the original recording, fittingly titled Chung King Can Suck It (LP). It was given to people who had pre-ordered the record, and with only 110 copies pressed (all on white vinyl), it is one of the most sought-after hardcore records in existence, going for as much as $6,600 USD on online auction sites such as eBay. Eventually, Bringin' It Down was released in 1989. Judge continued touring up until 1991, and even released another 7" EP, There Will Be Quiet, featuring "The Storm" and "Forget This Time" (the CD-version also contains a cover-version of "When the Levee Breaks", originally by Led Zeppelin).
In May 2013 Judge have reunited and played two sold out shows in NYC. In 2014 and 2015 the band have continued to play shows in United States as well as in South America and Europe.
Take Me Away
Judge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
THE TIMES I'VE BEEN THROUGH
WHY DIDN'T I FALL?
I WAS BELIEVING IT WAS MY LUCK
DISBELIEVING IN WHAT I COULDN'T TOUCH
(CHORUS)
WAS I LOOKING FOR THE ANSWERS
SO I CAN SAVE THE TRUTH?
SO I CAN GET OVER ON A FOOL
TAKE ME AWAY!
I'VE BEEN AROUND
AND I'VE SEEN ENOUGH
THE POOREST OF THE POOR
THE WEAK AND THE TOUGH
THEY SAY NOT TO QUESTION
BUT I GOTTA ASK WHY
I CAN STILL REMEMBER
THE LAST TIME I CRIED
(CHORUS)
CAN YOU TAKE ME AWAY?
I SAW ALL THE GOOD
GET CAUGHT IN A RAGE
IT LEFT ME DOWN-I'M DOWN
IT LEFT ME DOWN AND CONFUSED
I FACED ODDS SO STRONG
THAT I USED BOTH FISTS
NOW I'M ASKING
CAN YOU HELP ME?
CAN YOU HELP ME STAY CLEAN?-HELP ME
BECAUSE WHAT'S MY PROTECTION
IF I GIVE UP MY FISTS?
WHEN IT HURTS
WILL YOU EASE THE PAIN?
WHY AM I UNDER OBSERVATION?
I THOUGHT YOUR LOVE WAS FOR FREE
The lyrics to Judge’s “Take Me Away” speak to feelings of confusion and frustration with one’s surroundings and the world at large. The singer reflects on all the experiences they have had and wonders why they haven't fallen yet. They question their belief in their own luck and their inability to touch certain things. The chorus suggests a need for answers and the desire to save the truth. They don't want to become wise just so they can take advantage of others, but rather to gain a better understanding of the world.
The second verse describes the different types of people the singer has encountered: the poorest of the poor, the weak, and the strong. They question why they shouldn't question things and express their confusion about being under observation despite the supposed free love that they were promised. In the final lines, the singer asks for help to stay clean, questioning what their protection is if they give up their fists. They want to know if help will be given when it hurts and if someone will ease their pain.
Overall, “Take Me Away” is a song that reflects on the struggles and questions that many people face in their lives. It highlights the importance of seeking answers and understanding the world, while also acknowledging the difficulties and pain that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
I WAS THINKING OF IT ALL
Reflecting on my past experiences and struggles
THE TIMES I'VE BEEN THROUGH
All of the hardships and challenges I have encountered
WHY DIDN'T I FALL?
Wondering why I was able to overcome those struggles
I WAS BELIEVING IT WAS MY LUCK
Thinking that my success was simply a result of luck
DISBELIEVING IN WHAT I COULDN'T TOUCH
Doubting the importance of things that I couldn't physically experience
WAS I LOOKING FOR THE ANSWERS
Questioning if I was searching for the truth
SO I CAN SAVE THE TRUTH?
Trying to find a way to hold on to the truth once I discover it
NOT TRYING TO GET WISE
Not attempting to become smarter or more knowledgeable
SO I CAN GET OVER ON A FOOL
In order to trick or deceive someone else for my own benefit
TAKE ME AWAY!
Asking for help and escape from my struggles
I'VE BEEN AROUND
Having a lot of life experience
AND I'VE SEEN ENOUGH
Witnessing a lot of negative situations
THE POOREST OF THE POOR
Seeing the individuals with the least amount of resources struggle the most
THE WEAK AND THE TOUGH
Observing the strong defeat the weak, but also seeing the weak overcome their struggles
THEY SAY NOT TO QUESTION
Being told not to ask questions or doubt the conventional wisdom
BUT I GOTTA ASK WHY
Desiring to ask questions to understand the world better
I CAN STILL REMEMBER
Reliving memories of past pain and sadness
THE LAST TIME I CRIED
Recalling the last time I expressed my emotions
CAN YOU TAKE ME AWAY?
Asking for assistance in escaping my struggles
I SAW ALL THE GOOD
Observing the positive actions and behaviors of others
GET CAUGHT IN A RAGE
Seeing good people become angry and violent
IT LEFT ME DOWN-I'M DOWN
Feeling hopeless and defeated as a result of these negative experiences
IT LEFT ME DOWN AND CONFUSED
Feeling uncertain and unsure due to these negative experiences
I FACED ODDS SO STRONG
Dealing with extremely challenging obstacles
THAT I USED BOTH FISTS
Using physical force to try and overcome those obstacles
NOW I'M ASKING
Requesting help and assistance
CAN YOU HELP ME?
Asking for support and guidance from others
CAN YOU HELP ME STAY CLEAN?-HELP ME
Asking for help in maintaining a healthy and positive lifestyle
BECAUSE WHAT'S MY PROTECTION
Questioning the point of self-defense if it ultimately leads to negative consequences
IF I GIVE UP MY FISTS?
If I choose not to rely on physical force
WHEN IT HURTS
When I experience emotional pain
WILL YOU EASE THE PAIN?
Asking for compassion and support during difficult times
WHY AM I UNDER OBSERVATION?
Wondering why I feel like I am being judged and watched
I THOUGHT YOUR LOVE WAS FOR FREE
Feeling betrayed by someone who I believed cared about me unconditionally
Lyrics © KNOW YOUR RIGHTS, Songtrust Ave
Written by: MICHAEL FERRARO, JOHN PORCELLY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind