Formed by songwriter/guitarist Al Barile (then a machinist at the General Electric plant in Lynn, Massachusetts and a student at Northeastern University), SSD started performing at smaller venues throughout the greater Boston metropolitan area in the summer of 1981. The band quickly gained notoriety within the local music scene for intense, charged performances and the provocative antics of their core group of followers, the Boston Crew.
The original lineup was Al Barile on guitar, Springa (David Spring) on vocals, Jaime Sciarappa on bass and Chris Foley on drums. They released their debut LP The Kids Will Have Their Say on their own X-Claim label in 1982. Ian MacKaye of Minor Threat was a friend and supporter and his Dischord label's logo appeared on the back cover.
In 1983 they added second guitarist Francois Levesque and released the EP Get It Away. It is widely regarded to be their best record. The X-Claim pressings of it and The Kids Will Have Their Say are both highly collectable.
Like many hardcore bands - particularly those in the Boston area - SSD, as they were now officially called, were heading in a heavy metal direction. In 1984 they signed to the Boston label Modern Method and released the How We Rock EP which was rooted in the hardcore sound but exhibited overt heavy metal characteristics, such as a relatively high number of lengthy guitar solos. After signing to Homestead they released the Break It Up LP in 1985. It had both feet planted in the metal genre, leaving behind all trappings of punk and hardcore.
SSD broke up in 1985.
Jaime Sciarappa went on to play bass with the Boston hardcore band Slapshot for a short time.
After the breakup Springa went on to front the short lived band Razorcaine and the comedy rock projects Die Blitzkinder (with The Slaves) and Springa as Tom Jones. His flamboyant persona and lounge lizard lifestyle during this time stood in marked contrast to the straight edge rhetoric of SS Decontrol. In the early 1990s he would move to Chicago to pursue comedy further with The Second City.
In 1991 Al Barile compiled Power for Taang! Records. It spans SSD's entire career and is the only official release in print today. In the early 1990s he took up the bass guitar and he and Levesque formed the hardcore band Gage.
Chris Foley went on to play drums for Bulkhead, Jennifer Trynin and Star Ghost Dog. Today he plays with Heavy Stud.
In the summer of 2004 Springa was seriously injured in a car accident outside of Boston. A gala benefit featuring Evan Dando and reunions of The Outlets and Jerry's Kids raised money for his medical expenses. SSD did not perform.
Springa has since experienced a full recovery and is working on a rock opera.
~from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ss_decontrol
Who's To Judge
SS Decontrol Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't even know what's inside of me
Wear a badge and carry a gun
Be a punker have some fun
Men in blue, a job to fill
You think I'm dressed to kill
All aren't evil, all aren't good
Comdemn the world if you could
A new understanding must begin
We've all got to learn how to cope
You get out of life what you put in
Misinterpret my intentions
Have the wrong evaluations
Society judges by its cover
Turn the page try to discover
Wear what you want so will I
It only covers what's inside
You think you know but you don't see
The clothes I wear don't think for me
The lyrics of SS Decontrol's song "Who's To Judge" address the issue of snap judgments based solely on appearance and the need for society to look beyond surface-level impressions. The song reflects on the tendency of people to quickly assess and make assumptions about others without truly understanding who they are as individuals.
The opening lines, "Quick to judge on what you see, Don't even know what's inside of me," highlight the common practice of judging others based solely on their outward appearance. The songwriter suggests that this kind of judgment is unfair and incomplete, as it fails to consider the complexities and depths of a person's character.
The lyrics emphasize the role of societal authority figures, such as police officers, who often face judgment due to their chosen profession. The line, "Men in blue, a job to fill, You think I'm dressed to kill," suggests that even those who serve and protect can be misunderstood or unfairly labeled. This reflects the irony that one's appearance may not accurately reflect their true intentions or values.
The songwriter challenges the notion that all people can be easily categorized as either good or evil, highlighting the complexity and diversity of human nature. The line, "All aren't evil, all aren't good, Condemn the world if you could," suggests that it is unreasonable and misguided to label others based solely on limited knowledge and snap judgments.
The song encourages a more open-minded and compassionate approach, urging listeners to stop making judgments and instead strive to develop a deeper understanding of others. The lyrics emphasize the importance of personal growth and self-reflection, stating, "A new understanding must begin, We've all got to learn how to cope, You get out of life what you put in." This suggests that by looking beyond appearances and actively seeking to understand others, we can build a more empathetic and inclusive society.
In conclusion, "Who's To Judge" by SS Decontrol criticizes the tendency to judge others based solely on appearances and encourages listeners to reject snap judgments. The song calls for a more compassionate and understanding approach that recognizes the complexity and individuality of each person. By pushing for a deeper understanding and embracing diversity, we can move towards a more inclusive society that values people for who they truly are, rather than how they look.
Line by Line Meaning
Quick to judge on what you see
Hasty in forming opinions based solely on appearances
Don't even know what's inside of me
Lack of understanding of one's true character or intentions
Wear a badge and carry a gun
Being part of a position of authority and power
Be a punker have some fun
Embracing the rebellious and non-conformist lifestyle for enjoyment
Men in blue, a job to fill
Police officers fulfilling their duty
You think I'm dressed to kill
Assumption that my appearance suggests violent intentions
All aren't evil, all aren't good
Not everyone is entirely good or entirely evil
Condemn the world if you could
Expressing desire to pass judgment on the entire world
The judgments you make must stop
Ceasing the act of making judgments
A new understanding must begin
Necessity for a fresh perspective and comprehension
We've all got to learn how to cope
Learning to handle and deal with life's challenges
You get out of life what you put in
Reaping the consequences of your actions or efforts in life
Misinterpret my intentions
Misunderstanding or misconceiving my motives
Have the wrong evaluations
Incorrect assessments or judgments
Society judges by its cover
Society tends to judge based on appearances
Turn the page try to discover
Changing perspective and seeking to uncover the truth
Wear what you want so will I
I will dress as I please, just like you
It only covers what's inside
Clothing only conceals what is within a person
You think you know but you don't see
Presuming understanding without truly comprehending
The clothes I wear don't think for me
My apparel does not dictate my thoughts or beliefs
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Al Barile, Chris Foley, David Spring, Jaime Sciarappa
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind