After debuting on Century Media Records in 2006 with the critically acclaim… Read Full Bio ↴After debuting on Century Media Records in 2006 with the critically acclaimed 'Death To Tyrants' album and celebrating their 20th anniversary in the same year, SICK OF IT ALL certainly deserve being labelled a “living legend”, and still prove that classic New York hardcore is alive and kicking! With a career spanning 20 years and hundreds of thousands of albums sold worldwide, the band’s highly anticipated new album 'Based On A True Story' will add an exhilarating new chapter to the SICK OF IT ALL legend.

Doubtlessly the band’s hardest hitting effort to date, 'Based On A True Story' easily meets the high quality of its predecessor and offers tons of soon-to-be-classic hardcore hymns like 'Dominated', 'Long As She’s Standing', 'The Divide' and 'Lowest Common Denominator. It features the most catchy and powerful material the band has ever written. It’s astonishing to see the band still boiling with rage at a world gone wrong and successfully transforming this natural and honest aggressiveness into hardcore hits. Two decades of experience as skilful songwriters, endless touring, plus an undying hardcore spirit make SICK OF IT ALL anno 2010 sound stronger and more determined than ever. 'Based On A True Story' is undeniable proof that the quartet is simply unstoppable and unrivalled within the hardcore scene in terms of quality and sheer impact.

Formed during 1986 in Queens, the band released their first self-titled EP on Revelation Records and began to accumulate a strong local following by playing famous clubs like CBGBs ('A Month Of Sundays' actually pays tribute to these glorious days at this legendary venue). Soon after, the band released their first full-length record 'Blood Sweat And No Tears' on In-Effect Records. Often revolving around politics, social injustices and life on the streets of New York, the band wore their heart on their sleeve and made no apologies, often including threads of positivity. When their second album 'Just Look Around' was released in 1992, it was a benchmark for the band and the New York hardcore scene, and kicked off their globe-trotting expansion with tours in Europe, South America and Japan. They released their breakthrough album 'Scratch The Surface' in 1994 on Atlantic, followed by the seminal album 'Built To Last' in 1997. After releasing three albums on Fat Wreck Chords, as well as a live album and a collection of rarities, the band took on the challenge to push themselves further. 'Death To Tyrants' was the band’s first cooperation with Century Media and was mixed by renowned metal producer Tue Madsen (The Haunted, Heaven Shall Burn, Dark Tranquillity,) adding a refreshingly heavy edge to the band’s trademark NYHC sound. 'Death To Tyrants' was extremely well received by media and fans alike and followed up with three years of relentless touring.

The new album was also recorded with Tue Madsen, this time at Starstruck Studios in Copenhagen in Copenhagen, Denmark, resulting in a massive metallic heaviness which increases the punch and drive of the new opus. Craig Ahead (bass) comments: “The end result of our three and a half weeks in the studio is something that we are all very proud of. An album that is pure SICK OF IT ALL and will stand up against any of our previous work and I believe raises the bar to a new standard. I hope you enjoy our offerings. We look forward to its release so we can again stomp the world. See you on tour!“ To walk the talk, the band plays a European tour with Dropkick Murphys in January/February 2010, followed by a UK run with AFI in April. More festival shows and touring activities are in the works.

'Based On A True Story' is another sonic statement that SICK OF IT ALL are an institution of hardcore. Their longevity and conviction has kept the band’s reputation untarnished and legendary. As Metal Hammer (UK) puts it: “SICK OF IT ALL – despite their ever-increasing age and fierce competition – are still the finest spokesmen for hardcore’s social conscience and values”, and this new release will allow them to maintain this leading position for many years to come!

Pete's Sake
Sick of It All Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I don't fucking understand you
You always tell me to think for myself
But when I disagree with what you say
You turn around and put me down
I don't know why you have to play These high and mighty power trip games

Your double standards are pissing me off
You've got a set of rules for you and another for us

You're no better, you're no worse
But it's time you stop acting like a fucking jerk

I don't fucking understand you
You always tell me to think for myself
But when I disagree with what you say
You turn around and put me down
I don't know why you have to play
These high and mighty power trip games

I really wish you would quit
'Cause we know you're full of shit

Overall Meaning

In the song "Pete's Sake" by Sick of It All, the lyrics describe a frustrating relationship with someone who claims to want others to think for themselves, but becomes combative when there is disagreement. The singer expresses feeling confused and irritated with this person's behavior, which involves exerting power over others and holding double standards. Through the lyrics, the singer calls out this person's hypocrisy and asks them to stop acting like a "fucking jerk" because they are "full of shit."

The theme of the song is about standing up for oneself and recognizing toxic behavior in others. The frustration and anger in the lyrics convey a sense of being tired of dealing with the same patterns of behavior repeatedly. The use of expletives is deliberate, conveying the intensity of the emotions being expressed.

The song is a classic example of Sick of It All's style, which is known for its directness, hard-hitting sound, and socially conscious lyrics. The band is considered one of the pioneers of hardcore punk along with other bands like Agnostic Front and Minor Threat. With their powerful sound and politically charged lyrics, Sick of It All has influenced many punk and metal bands over the years.

Line by Line Meaning

I don't fucking understand you
I am puzzled by your behavior

You always tell me to think for myself
You encourage me to form my own opinions

But when I disagree with what you say
However, if I have a different viewpoint

You turn around and put me down
You belittle me and don't respect my perspective

I don't know why you have to play
I don't understand your motive for engaging in

These high and mighty power trip games
these arrogant and controlling behaviors

Your double standards are pissing me off
Your hypocrisy is making me angry

You've got a set of rules for you and another for us
You have different expectations for yourself than you do for others

You're no better, you're no worse
You are not superior nor inferior to anyone else

But it's time you stop acting like a fucking jerk
However, it's necessary for you to stop behaving like an abusive and selfish person

I really wish you would quit
I truly desire for you to cease these negative behaviors