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
Get Off My Back
The Casualties Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I won't let you do it
You say you know whats best for me
I'm gonna make you prove it
Your always complaining at me
Get off my back
Why won't you just let me be
Tell me this and tell me that I've heard it all before
You still bitch my back is turned I'm walking out the door
Your always complaining at me
Get off my back
Why won't you just let me be
Get off my back
Your always bitching all the time
You want my time you know its mine
Your always jumping on my back
Just let me be myself
I talk and talk you won't listen your stubborn as a wall
You always bitch you make me nuts I'm gonna take a fall
Your always complaining at me
Get off my back
Why won't you just let me be
Get off my back
You wanna take control of me
I won't let you do it
You say you know whats best for me
I'm gonna make you prove it
Your always complaining at me
Get off my back
Why won't you just let me be
Get off my back
Your always bitching all the time
You want my time you know its mine
Your always jumping on my back
Just let me be myself
You wanna take control of me
I'm gonna let you do it
You say you know whats best for me
I'm gonna make you prove it
The Casualties's song Get Off My Back is an anthem against control and manipulation. The lyrics speak of a person who is fed up with someone constantly telling them what to do, how to act, and what is best for them. The first verse establishes the singer's defiant attitude, stating that though the other person wants to control them, they will not allow it without a fight. The chorus reinforces this sentiment, insisting that the other person leave them alone and let them be themselves.
In the second verse, the singer addresses the fact that they have heard all the other person's complaints and orders before, and that they're tired of it. They refuse to engage in any further conversation or argument and simply walk out. The remainder of the song repeats the chorus and ends with a reversal of the first verse, suggesting that the singer might eventually give in to the other person's demands, but only if they can prove they know what's best for them.
The song is a commentary on the pressures and expectations that come with societal norms, as well as authority figures who try to impose their will on others. It encourages listeners to take a stand for their own autonomy and resist control from those who don't have their best interests at heart.
Line by Line Meaning
You wanna take control of me
You want to take over my life and make decisions for me without my consent
I won't let you do it
I won't allow you to manipulate me or control me
You say you know whats best for me
You claim to understand my needs better than I do
I'm gonna make you prove it
I need to see evidence to back up your claim before I believe it
Your always complaining at me
You are constantly criticizing me and finding fault with everything I do
Get off my back
Stop nagging and pressuring me, give me space to breathe
Why won't you just let me be
I need to be allowed to live my life without constant interference and control from you
Tell me this and tell me that I've heard it all before
I am tired of hearing your unsolicited advice and opinions
You still bitch my back is turned I'm walking out the door
Even when I am not around, you still find reasons to complain and criticize me, which makes me want to leave
Your always bitching all the time
You are constantly complaining and never seem to be satisfied with anything I do
You want my time you know its mine
You want me to focus all my time and energy on you, but I need to prioritize my own needs as well
Your always jumping on my back
You are always nagging, criticizing, and trying to control me
Just let me be myself
I need the freedom to be who I am without feeling constantly judged or criticized
I talk and talk you won't listen your stubborn as a wall
I try to communicate with you and express my feelings, but you are unwilling to listen or understand me, like an immovable object
You always bitch you make me nuts I'm gonna take a fall
You are always complaining and criticizing me, which is driving me crazy and making me feel like I'm going to have a mental breakdown
I'm gonna let you do it
I will allow you to control my life and make decisions for me, but only if you can prove that it is in my best interest
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Retro Gameplay & Music Mixes
Just discovered this band and I'm kind of bummed that I didn't discover them before. What epic f**** music
ChopHerringSalad
As someone who started listening to punk with this vid almost 20 years ago, it does seem like there aren't as many bands around like The Casualties anymore (they're still around though, albeit with a new singer). You should check out Escape From the Zoo though! They have a sliiightly different style but you might like them if you like this. They still actively play/tour/release new music too! Their parent band Days 'n Daze is phenomenal also, although they're significantly different since they only play with folk instruments. Still worth a listen!
Emily
So much talent in these dudes. LOVE THE CASUALTIES! OI!
Interior Crocodile
I preformed my first stage dive to this song, THESE GUYS ARE FUCKING KILLER LIVE!!!
Marco Broi
I love his voice
FilipinoMillennialHobbyist
love the Casualties, I think they're gonna be one of the most influential modern hardcore punk band in the future...
Venox Edits
Sadly no 😔
Едуард Ященко
@Venox EditsJorge best🤟new frontman🤮
vanessa escobar
love this song!