Scream was formed in Northern Virginia in 1981 by singer Peter Stahl, his brother Franz Stahl on guitar, bassist Skeeter Thompson and drummer Kent Stax. They are considered one of the benchmark bands in the history of the Washington, D.C. hardcore music movement. Along with bands such as Minor Threat and Government Issue, Scream ultimately merged the attributes of the movement, which were blinding speed, heavy political and social connotations in the lyrics, unpretentiousness of attitude, and shunning of commercialism. Their music is faithful to the roots of rock, but spun itself into other genres by employing sounds that predate the raunchiness of grunge, while saluting reggae and speed metal. Scream hated the classification of bands into certain types and considered what they played as simply 'music.' Recording their music in the basement of the now legendary Inner Ear Studios in Arlington, Virginia, Scream became the first band on the Dischord label to release a whole album, Still Screaming, as opposed to singles or 12 inch EPs. Like the hardcore band Bad Brains, they could play clearly at breakneck speed, but also played mid-tempo songs like "American Justice" and "Hygiene," which were metal-tinged reggae.
For their second album Scream added another guitarist to their line-up, Robert Lee "Harley" Davidson, to thicken up the sound in the studio and in their live performances. In turn this eventually led to a powerful dual-lead guitar style, with complex guitar tracking, a more powerful live sound and an over-all crunchier sound for their third album. For a few compilation efforts and some live shows they added a keyboard player, Bobby Madden, who was a colleague of Davidson's from the same metal scene.
After the third album Banging the Drum, Kent Stax left the band for personal reasons and was replaced by local drummer Dave Grohl, who then played on Scream's 4th album No More Censorship. The band then toured Europe; with their May 4, 1990 show in Alzey, Germany being released by Tobby Holzinger as Your Choice Live Series Vol.10. Scream then recorded their fifth and final studio album Fumble, (which was much later released in 1993 on Dischord Records) and then called it quits in late 1990. Pete and Franz moved to North Hollywood and started rock band Wool, while Grohl joined Grunge band Nirvana. In 1997, Franz Stahl joined Dave Grohl's newly formed group, the commercially successful Foo Fighters, for a two year stint. During this time Pete Stahl worked as a road manager for both the Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stone Age, while continuing to record albums with several bands, including the Earthlings? and Goatsnake. Skeeter Thompson remained in the D.C. area and continued to work in bands, as did Kent Stax with the Skinhead/Oi! -tinged bands: the Suspects, United 121, Spitfires United, and Alleged Bricks. Stax has also committed himself to a family life. Davidson continued in the band Angelstorm, (in Huntsville, Alabama), from 1993–1995 and created the new bands Orangahead, Festival of Fools, (with Madden in 1998) and two different bands both named God Is Dead, (one in D.C. and one in Huntsville, Alabama) from 2002-2005.
The original line-up of the band played a reunion show on December 20, 2009 at the Black Cat nightclub in Washington, D.C.
On February 7, 2011, the band supported Foo Fighters on a special show at the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles, when the Foo Fighters showcased their new album Wasting Light for the first time from beginning to end.
Current members
Peter Stahl – lead vocals (1981–1990, 2009–present)
Franz Stahl – guitar, backing vocals (1981–1990, 2009–present)
Skeeter Thompson – bass, backing vocals (1981–1990, 2009–present)
Kent Stax – drums, percussion (1981–1986, 2009–present)
Former members
Dave Grohl – drums, percussion (1986–1990)
Robert Lee Davidson – guitar, backing vocals (1984–1989)
Fight/american Justice
Scream Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What the fuck you gonna do?
I feel boxed in, well, I just wanna fight
Through the problems in the night
Fight (for what you think is right)
Hey, all ye crunchcloths, we all say
Fight together, fight as one
Fight forever till we've won
Fight (for what you think is right)
To unite
I'm walking down the street just a-minding my own
In a strange town, a thousand miles from home
When I'm searched by the man, and he says to me
That "I am the law" and that's the way it's gonna be
It's called American justice
But we know the truth
It's called American justice
But what can we do?
No matter what's the truth, they're gonna put you away
Push you around, no matter just what you say
It's them against you, but you're not just alone
Even though it seems your only friend is the telephone
And it's called American justice
But we know the truth
It's called American justice
But what can we do?
They're never wrong, only mistaken
It don't replace your rights that have been taken
They throw the book away, you've been forsaken
For American justice has just been faking
If you got no money then you're just out of luck
'Cause the lawyers and legal aid, they just don't give a fuck
That's why the jails are full of the poor and black
And once they get out, you know they end up just going back
It's called American justice
But we know the truth
It's called American justice
But what can we do?
Yeah, what can we do about American Justice?
American Justice
The lyrics to Scream’s song Fight/American Justice explore the themes of fighting for what is right and the flawed American justice system. The opening lines, “Look at me, I look at you, what the fuck you gonna do?” suggest a confrontation or challenge to stand up for one’s beliefs. The lines, “I feel boxed in, well, I just wanna fight, through the problems in the night, fight for what you think is right” convey a sense of frustration and the desire to fight for what is right even in the face of darkness.
The verse about the American justice system describes experiences of being searched and confronted by authority, and the feeling of being alone and helpless in facing the system. The chorus, “It’s called American justice, but we know the truth,” reveals the underlying themes of the song – the false promises of justice and the injustice faced by those who cannot afford legal representation. The repeated question, “What can we do?” conveys a sense of hopelessness and desperation.
The song ends with a powerful statement, “Yeah, what can we do about American Justice? American justice” suggesting that even though the problems with the American justice system are immense and complicated, acknowledging them and starting the conversation is the first step towards creating change.
Line by Line Meaning
Look at me, I look at you
An aggressive challenge to the listener to confront the problems they face.
What the fuck you gonna do?
A rhetorical question that challenges the listener to take action and stand up for themselves.
I feel boxed in, well, I just wanna fight
The singer feels trapped and wants to fight against the problems they face, rather than give up.
Through the problems in the night
Acknowledges that the problems faced are difficult and may require tenacity to overcome.
Fight (for what you think is right)
Encourages the listener to fight for their beliefs and values.
Hey, all ye crunchcloths, we all say
Addressing a group the singer belongs to, with a common cause.
Fight for the united way
Encourages the group to fight together for a common cause
Fight together, fight as one
Emphasizes the strength of unity when fighting for something.
Fight forever till we've won
Promises to fight against the problems faced until a solution is reached.
To unite
Emphasizes the importance of coming together to fight for a common cause.
I'm walking down the street just a-minding my own
The singer is going about their own business and not causing any trouble.
In a strange town, a thousand miles from home
The singer is in an unfamiliar and potentially dangerous situation.
When I'm searched by the man, and he says to me
The singer is a victim of unjust profiling and harassment by the authorities.
That "I am the law" and that's the way it's gonna be
The authority figure exerts their power over the singer and threatens them.
It's called American justice
The singer uses irony to criticize the flaws and dishonesty of the American justice system.
But we know the truth
The singer and their group are aware of the injustice in the system.
No matter what's the truth, they're gonna put you away
The system is rigged against those who do not have power or money.
Push you around, no matter just what you say
The authorities disregard the opinions and voices of those who have no power or influence.
It's them against you, but you're not just alone
Although the system is rigged, the singer assures the listener that they are not alone in fighting against it.
Even though it seems your only friend is the telephone
The singer acknowledges the difficulties in fighting against the system, but encourages the listener to reach out for help.
They're never wrong, only mistaken
The authority figure will never admit to being wrong because they believe that they are always right.
It don't replace your rights that have been taken
The excuse of being 'mistaken' does not account for the violation of rights.
They throw the book away, you've been forsaken
The authorities use books of law to their advantage, disregarding the harm they cause to individuals and groups.
For American justice has just been faking
The title of the song is reiterated as a criticism of the dishonesty in the American justice system.
If you got no money then you're just out of luck
The system is rigged against poor people who cannot afford to pay for legal aid.
'Cause the lawyers and legal aid, they just don't give a fuck
The people who provide legal aid are not motivated to help those who cannot pay.
That's why the jails are full of the poor and black
The system discriminates against poor people and people of color, putting them at a disadvantage.
And once they get out, you know they end up just going back
The effects of being locked up are long lasting, leading to a cycle of incarceration and disadvantage.
Yeah, what can we do about American Justice?
Reiterates the question of how to fix the injustice in the American justice system.
Contributed by Anthony P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.