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
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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 song "Fight American Justice" by Scream is a commentary on the American justice system and the injustices that are often perpetuated within it. The opening lyrics suggest a sense of frustration and aggression towards an unknown party, with the singer feeling trapped or hemmed in, and a desire to fight their way out. The chorus then asserts the importance of fighting for what one believes is right, and the need for unity in that struggle.
The second half of the song takes on a more specific target, as the singer describes being harassed by law enforcement while walking down the street. The lyrics decry the flaws and prejudices of the justice system, noting that even the truth may not be enough to prevent one from being unfairly punished or imprisoned. The final verse focuses on the issue of class and race in the criminal justice system, highlighting the disproportionate impact that poverty and racism have on who is incarcerated and who is not.
Overall, "Fight American Justice" is a powerful critique of the American justice system, and a call to action for listeners to fight for change and justice.
Line by Line Meaning
Look at me, I look at you
We are two individuals confronting each other.
What the fuck you gonna do?
What action do you plan to take?
I feel boxed in, well, I just wanna fight
I feel restricted, but I still want to stand up for what I believe in.
Through the problems in the night
Even during difficult times, I will not back down.
Fight (for what you think is right)
Stand up and defend what you believe in.
Hey, all ye crunchcloths, we all say
Hey, everyone who is listening, we are speaking together.
Fight for the united way
We must stand up for a united cause.
Fight together, fight as one
We must stand together and fight as a group.
Fight forever till we've won
We must keep fighting until our goal is achieved.
To unite
Our goal is to come together and unify.
I'm walking down the street just a-minding my own
I am walking alone and not bothering anyone.
In a strange town, a thousand miles from home
I am in an unfamiliar place and far from where I live.
When I'm searched by the man, and he says to me
A police officer has stopped and searched me and is now talking to me.
That 'I am the law' and that's the way it's gonna be
The police officer is telling me that he has the power and authority to enforce the law.
It's called American justice
This is referred to as the justice system in America.
But we know the truth
We know that there is more to the justice system than what is portrayed.
No matter what's the truth, they're gonna put you away
Regardless of the truth, the authorities will make sure you are punished.
Push you around, no matter just what you say
They will intimidate and use force against you, regardless of any dialogue or explanation.
It's them against you, but you're not just alone
It may feel like it's you against the world, but there are others who will stand up for you.
Even though it seems your only friend is the telephone
The only way to seek help and support may be through a phone call.
They're never wrong, only mistaken
The authorities will never admit when they are truly wrong, only that they made a mistake.
It don't replace your rights that have been taken
Their mistake does not give back the rights that were wrongfully taken from you.
They throw the book away, you've been forsaken
The law is not on your side, you have been abandoned.
For American justice has just been faking
The justice system in America is not as just as it claims to be.
If you got no money then you're just out of luck
If you cannot afford a good lawyer, you are at a disadvantage.
'Cause the lawyers and legal aid, they just don't give a fuck
Lawyers and legal aid do not care if you cannot pay them enough.
That's why the jails are full of the poor and black
The justice system discriminates against the poor and black populations, leading to overrepresentation in prisons.
And once they get out, you know they end up just going back
After being released from prison, people often end up returning to jail.
Yeah, what can we do about American Justice?
What options do we have for making changes to the corrupt justice system in America?
American Justice
The corruption and imbalances in the justice system in America.
Contributed by Ryan Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.