Current members:
Chris Hannah – vocals, guitar (1986–present)
Jord Samolesky – drums (1986–present)
Todd Kowalski – bass, vocals (1997–present)
Sulynn Hago – guitar, vocals (2015–present)
Former members
Scott Hopper – bass, vocals (1986–89)
Mike Braumeister – bass (1989–91)
John K. Samson – bass, vocals (1991–97)
David Guillas – guitar, vocals (2006–2015)
1993 - How to Clean Everything
1996 - Less Talk, More Rock
2001 - Today's Empires, Tomorrow's Ashes
2005 - Potemkin City Limits
2009 - Supporting Caste
2012 - Failed States
2017 - Victory Lap
Anti‐Manifesto
Propagandhi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It seems we're only here to entertain.
A rebellion cut-to-fit. I refuse to be the soundtrack to it.
While we entertain we're still knee-deep in shit.
There's something wrong inside.
We've played it safe, enjoyed the ride.
You won't like this but I've something to confide.
We stand for something more than a faded sticker on a skateboard.
And I don't even care any fucking more.
Witness this pair in accomplice.
Witness this pair; lethargic, unconscious.
No brows furrowed in question, complacent, completing their tasks
(no questions asked)
Consider this critic a cretin,
Just resting on laurels completely invented.
Word acrobatics performed with both harness and net.
I am so full of shit.
But I will remain until this self-awareness fades
Until I defeat the purpose of this soapbox that you made.
That you made.
Hope, perseverance, a vision (some doubt).
Green ink, a 26 oz., a bad case of big-mouth.
A sum of our parts and I've never laughed harder.
A song in our hearts and I've never laughed harder.
It don't really matter 'cause nothing's ever felt as right as this.
(by the way, I stole this riff)
In Propagandhi's song "Anti-Manifesto," the lyrics articulate a rejection of the idea that the punk rock movement is just a form of entertainment or rebellion without substance. The opening lines suggest a superficiality in punk culture when they say "Dance and laugh and play. Ignore the message we convey," calling out the idea that punk music and culture merely exist to entertain without a deeper meaning or purpose. The lines "A rebellion cut-to-fit. I refuse to be the soundtrack to it" suggest that punk culture can become commodified and watered down, losing its original purpose and intensity.
The next lines, "While we entertain we're still knee-deep in shit. There's something wrong inside" underscore the idea that punk rock should be an authentic expression of one's beliefs and that society is far from perfect. The line "You won't like this but I've something to confide. We stand for something more than a faded sticker on a skateboard" suggests that the band's message is not popular or conventional, but that they are committed to their cause.
The final lines "Hope, perseverance, a vision (some doubt). Green ink, a 26 oz., a bad case of big-mouth" suggest that even in uncertain times or when the odds are against them, the band is committed to their vision and will express their beliefs no matter what. The use of humor in the line "It don't really matter 'cause nothing's ever felt as right as this. (by the way, I stole this riff)" underscores the irony in the fact that they are fighting for a serious cause while still being a part of the punk rock culture that can seem to value appearances over substance.
Line by Line Meaning
Dance and laugh and play. Ignore the message we convey.
We're here to entertain, so don't pay attention to what we're saying.
It seems we're only here to entertain.
Our primary function is to make you have a good time, but we have something to say too.
A rebellion cut-to-fit. I refuse to be the soundtrack to it.
I won't let my music be co-opted into some pre-packaged rebellion.
While we entertain we're still knee-deep in shit.
Even though we're on stage, we're dealing with real-life problems just like everyone else.
There's something wrong inside.
I'm feeling uneasy about what we're doing, and it's bothering me.
We've played it safe, enjoyed the ride.
We've been coasting along, not really challenging anyone or anything.
You won't like this but I've something to confide.
I have something uncomfortable to say that might upset you.
We stand for something more than a faded sticker on a skateboard.
Our message is more meaningful than just an image on a piece of wood.
Now we've rained on your parade and we're out the door.
We've said what we needed to say and we're leaving now.
And I don't even care any fucking more.
I'm tired of trying to get through to people and not being heard.
Witness this pair in accomplice.
Look at us two, we're in this together, for better or worse.
Witness this pair; lethargic, unconscious.
We might appear lazy, but there's more going on beneath the surface.
No brows furrowed in question, complacent, completing their tasks (no questions asked).
We're not questioning anything, just going through the motions of life.
Consider this critic a cretin, just resting on laurels completely invented.
Don't take me too seriously -- I might be criticizing, but I'm not perfect either.
Word acrobatics performed with both harness and net.
I'm using clever language and wordplay, but I'm not doing it just to show off.
I am so full of shit.
I admit that I'm not perfect and sometimes what I say doesn't match up with what I do.
But I will remain until this self-awareness fades, until I defeat the purpose of this soapbox that you made.
I'll keep trying to be self-aware and to speak out until I've become part of the problem myself.
Hope, perseverance, a vision (some doubt). Green ink, a 26 oz., a bad case of big-mouth.
Our message is one of hope and perseverance, but we're not always sure if it will work. We're fueled by cheap beer and bravado.
A sum of our parts and I've never laughed harder. A song in our hearts and I've never laughed harder.
We're having a great time making music and speaking out, and the sum of our efforts is more than the individual parts.
It don't really matter 'cause nothing's ever felt as right as this. (by the way, I stole this riff)
Even though our message is complex and uncomfortable, we're doing exactly what we want to do and it feels amazing. Oh, and sorry for stealing that guitar riff.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JOHN MCSNORD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind