The Casualties are a hardcore punk band formed in New York City in 1990. It… Read Full Bio ↴The Casualties are a hardcore punk band formed in New York City in 1990. It was formed by vocalist Jorge Herrera, Hank (guitar), Colin Wolf (vocals), Mark Yoshitomi (bass) and Yureesh Hooker (drums). Hank's last name of several is unknown. Jorge Herrera is the only remaining member of the originals. During the early years of the band, the members were very fluid.

Early years
The Casualties were formed in 1990, with original members Jorge Herrera (vocals) Hank (guitar), Colin Wolf (vocals), Mark Yoshitomi (bass) and Yureesh Hooker (drums). The members aimed to return to what they viewed as the "golden era" of street punk, embodied by bands such as The Exploited and Charged GBH which they believed had disappeared by 1985.[3] During the early years, the lineup was fluid, with several changes. That first year, Colin stepped out for several months to finish his education while Rachel, TheRivits' singer, took his place.[3]
In 1991, Hank left the band, to be replaced by Fred (last name unknown) on guitar. Colin, Jorge, Yureesh, Hank and Mark put together a demo, titled Political Sin, for the Benefit for Beer compilation.[4] After making this recording, Fred left to go to school and Steve, from Distraught, fills in for a short time, until Fred returns to the band full-time. The 4 song EP, 40 Oz. Casualty was recorded at the end of 1991 and self-released.[3] 1992 saw the band touring and building up a fan base in NYC. In 1993, Mark and Fred left the band and were replaced by Mike (last name unknown) on bass and Jake Kolatis on the guitar, followed by the departure of Yureesh and Colin in 1994, to be replaced on drums by Shawn, while the band went down to a single vocalist.[3][4] 1994 sees the recording of the 4 song EP, Drinking Is Our Way Of Life, however it would not be released. The songs would later appear on the Casualties "early years 1990-1995" CD in 1999.[4] In 1995, the band's second release, the 4 track A Fuckin' Way Of Life E.P. was released on Eyeball Records. After recording A Fuckin' Way of Life, Shawn left the band, and Marc Eggers (nicknamed Meggers) of the Rivits became the regular drummer. The line-up of Jorge, Jake, Mike and Meggers continued until 1997.
In 1996 the Casualties became the first American band to appear at the "Holidays in the Sun" Festival in London. 1997 saw the release of the band's debut album, For the Pun is released on Tribal War Records, and the band embarks on its first American tour with The Varukers. Mike (the bassist) left the band in 1998, to be replaced with Johnny Rosado, from The Krays.[4][5] They released their second LP that year, Underground Army, and begin a world tour. Jon leaves the band during the European leg of the tour, to be temporarily replaced by Dave Punk Core.
Present lineup
After the world tour, Dave would be replaced by Rick Lopez from the band, Manix. The line-up was now solidified for the band and would continue to the present day.[6] The end of the millennium, 1999, saw the band produce a compilation album, Early Years 1990-1995, which included tracks which appeared on earlier ED's, as well as never before released songs, such as the four songs they had recorded on the never released EP Drinking is Our Way of Life back in 1994.
The 2000s have seen the band continue to tour[3][6] and produce albums (an album list can be seen below). They have toured with several other bands, such as The Exploited, GBH, Cockney Rejects, Slaughter & the Dogs,[4] and the English Dogs.[6] In December 2009, The Casualties toured alongside Hatebreed, The Acacia Strain, Crowbar, and Thy Will Be Done as part of the Stillborn Fest.[3] In the summer of 2012, The Casualties co-headlined the Tonight We Unite tour along with Nekromantix, where they played For The Punx in its entirety, the first time they had played the album through since its release in 1997.[3] Later that year, The Casualties released their new album titled Resistance through Season of Mist.[7][8] In 2013, The Casualties played at the largest Punk Rock festival in the world,[9] the Rebellion Festival in Blackpool, England, where they shared the stage with The Exploited, Special Duties, Chron Gen and Anti-Establishment, and others

Depression
The Casualties Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

DEPRESSION, UNEMPLOYMENT LINE Nowhere to work
DEPRESSION, UNEMPLOYMENT LINE Nowhere to live
DEPRESSION, UNEMPLOYMENT LINE We're all alone
DEPRESSION, UNEMPLOYMENT LINE Because of
DEPRESSION, UNEMPLOYMENT LINE

Most children are told they can do it all
and be what they want when they grow old

but we knew better plain guys like me
what's the point of dreaming we'll only be controlled
JUSTICE & LIBERTY What's the point of dreaming
TAKEN FROM YOU & ME We'll only be controlled
JUSTICE & LIBERTY What's the point of thinking
NO JUSTICE NO LIBERTY

Years later you'll do anything
to make a living and to stay alive
washing dishes, cleaning cars taking any job
never have a feeling of safety or control
JUSTICE & LIBERTY Now I'm left wondering
TAKEN FROM YOU & ME How to make a buck
JUSTICE & LIBERTY I find my self lost
NO JUSTICE NO LIBERTY

DEPRESSION, UNEMPLOYMENT LINE My broken back
DEPRESSION, UNEMPLOYMENT LINE My mind is lost
DEPRESSION, UNEMPLOYMENT LINE My dirty clothes
DEPRESSION, UNEMPLOYMENT LINE Because of
DEPRESSION, UNEMPLOYMENT LINE

A confused and a hopeless state
that's driving people to desperate lengths
being nothing but professionally poor
a broken man, always covered in dirt
JUSTICE & LIBERTY How much can i take
JUSTICE & LIBERTY How much can i endure

JUSTICE & LIBERTY before i explode
NO JUSTICE NO LIBERTY

Overall Meaning

The Casualties' Depression is a pessimistic commentary on the state of the working class and the disillusionment that comes with it. The lyrics are a reflection of the trials and tribulations of the unemployed, the constant struggle to make ends meet, and the psychological toll that it takes. The song opens up with the lines, "DEPRESSION, UNEMPLOYMENT LINE Nowhere to work, DEPRESSION, UNEMPLOYMENT LINE Nowhere to live," setting the stage for the theme of the song. The lyrics proceed to discuss the unfulfilled dreams and aspirations of the working class, and how they have become victims of circumstance, emphasizing the lines, "Most children are told they can do it all and be what they want when they grow old but we knew better plain guys like me what's the point of dreaming we'll only be controlled."

The chorus of the song further highlights the despair of the situation, with constant repetition of the lines "DEPRESSION, UNEMPLOYMENT LINE" emphasizing the bleak scenario that the working class finds themselves in. The lyrics go on to discuss how the state of unemployment leads to a loss of control over one's life, with the lines "Years later you'll do anything to make a living and stay alive washing dishes, cleaning cars taking any job never have a feeling of safety or control," reiterating the theme of powerlessness. In the final verses, the lyrics enumerate the physical and psychological impact of unemployment and the extent of the pressure and the hopelessness that it creates.

Line by Line Meaning

DEPRESSION, UNEMPLOYMENT LINE Nowhere to work
Lack of adequate job opportunities

DEPRESSION, UNEMPLOYMENT LINE Nowhere to live
Housing and accommodation crisis

DEPRESSION, UNEMPLOYMENT LINE We're all alone
The feeling of abandonment and isolation

DEPRESSION, UNEMPLOYMENT LINE Because of
Resulting from the current economic situation

DEPRESSION, UNEMPLOYMENT LINE
The harsh reality of joblessness and poverty

JUSTICE & LIBERTY What's the point of dreaming
Questioning the purpose of ambition and hope

TAKEN FROM YOU & ME We'll only be controlled
The powerlessness of the working-class

JUSTICE & LIBERTY What's the point of thinking
Limitations on creativity and ideas

NO JUSTICE NO LIBERTY
The absence of fairness and freedom

JUSTICE & LIBERTY Now I'm left wondering
Uncertainty about the future

TAKEN FROM YOU & ME How to make a buck
Struggling to make a living