The Faction was a punk rock band from San Jose, California who were closely… Read Full Bio ↴The Faction was a punk rock band from San Jose, California who were closely linked to the underground skateboarding culture. The band played primarily during the years 1982 to 1985, although a different lineup recorded three songs and played two shows in 1989, and then another lineup played numerous shows and recorded 4 new songs in the early 21st century. Steve Caballero, one of skateboarding's brightest stars, played bass, and then guitar, in The Faction. Caballero probably attracted a lot of young skateboarders' interest to the band, but the music kept them coming back for more, and he wasn't the only skater in the band. Singer Gavin O'Brien was a heavy local at Winchester Skatepark and was more than able to hold his own in any session: vert, street, banks, whatever. Adam "Bomb" Segal's trademark high top Vans in all the bright, cool colors of the day had ollie holes on both shoes-the dude was doing switch tricks before anyone. Keith Rendon (drummer #1), Ray Stevens, II (bass) and Craig Bosch (drummer #2) were all accomplished skaters; Craig even has a trick named after him: the Bosch (a invert to blunt on a curb, ledge, etc).

Catching onto the then-noteworthy idea of touring , the band gained notereity through repeated exposure in the skateboarding world, which helped on tour, and which helped create a national fanbase. Thrasher Magazine's MoFo compiled the first Skate rock tape, which featured several Faction songs, as well as songs by JFA and the Big Boys, the two other most established skate punk bands. Other bands included were Riot .303, Minus One, Los Olvidados, Skoundrelz, featuring Tony Alva, Anvil Chorus, Free Beer, featuring San Francisco's Tony and Tommy Guerrero, and others.

The Faction recorded two 7" records, an LP, an EP, and a posthumous EP, and contributed songs to a 7" compilation single, From The Valley Within. Their song Skate and Destroy was also featured in the first skateboarding video, Powell-Peralta's "Bones Brigade Video Show." Except for the Thrasher Skate Rock tapes and the posthumous "Epitaph" EP, which was released on Mystic Records, all the Faction's music was released on IM Records. This label was owned by guitarist Adam Segal, and financed by Arly. Primarily due to musical evolutional differences in the band, they broke up in 1985. In 1989 they reformed with pro skateboarder Jeff Kendall on guitar instead of Adam Bomb. They played two shows, recorded "Accelerate" (used in the "Stoked: The Gator Story") and for whatever reason it didn't go any further.

In 1994, Mark Waters, of Goldenrod Records, approached the band with the idea to compile the Faction's musical history into one complete CD package. The resulting "Collection" gathered most of the band's studio recordings along with some live and radio recordings, along with Gavin's complete list of every show the band ever played, complete lyrics, and what most of the band called their first good artwork. In 2001, the band started playing shows here and there, with original guitarist Russ Wright on guitar. One show led to more, and between 2001 and 2005 the band played a handful of shows, including gigs in Dortmund and Munster Germany, Vancouver B.C., Aberdeen Scotland, Seattle (with X), San Diego and Anaheim with the Adolescents and Strung Out, Sacramento, and numerous San Jose and San Francisco shows.

The Faction's song 'Skate And Destroy" is featured in the Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4 video game.

I Decide For Me
The Faction Lyrics

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I don't remember anyone dying leaving you to run my life

what's this trip running through your head,
you're not a mom a pop or even a wife

go ahead and impress the clowns, you're in a circle of babbling sheep

I see you talking to a friend of yours,

was it by chance you were looking at me

You should go away

And take your judgment with you because you decide
for you, and I decide for me

Go back to your glittering discos, and take your judgment with you

I think I could understand if you were God up in heaven above

But you're just a goon I try to ignore,
you're the hawk that killed the dove

Just why are you so concerned with what goes on, is it really a sin?

I look at you and I say to myself, how could you be from the valley within.

Overall Meaning

The Faction's song "I Decide For Me" is a hard-hitting and thought-provoking track that calls out the idea of people trying to run or control one's life without their consent. The opening line, "I don't remember anyone dying leaving you to run my life," makes a strong statement, implying that no one has any right or authority to dictate one's life. The song's message is crystal clear: it's about taking charge of your own life and making your own decisions, without anyone else trying to influence or control your choices.

The lyrics also seem to suggest that there are people out there who are always trying to impose their opinions and views on others, even when they have no right to do so. The lines "go ahead and impress the clowns, you're in a circle of babbling sheep" suggest that some people are more concerned with fitting in and impressing others than living their lives on their terms. And the lines "take your judgments with you because you decide for you, and I decide for me" reinforces the idea that one should not allow anyone else to judge or dictate their choices.

Overall, "I Decide for Me" is an empowering anthem that encourages individualism, self-determination, and breaking free from the societal pressures to conform.

Line by Line Meaning

I don't remember anyone dying leaving you to run my life
I am in charge of my own life, and no one else has the right to control me.

what's this trip running through your head, you're not a mom a pop or even a wife
I don't understand why you are so involved in my life, as you are not my parent or partner.

go ahead and impress the clowns, you're in a circle of babbling sheep
You are trying to impress people who are foolish and shallow, and you are part of a group that mindlessly follows trends.

I see you talking to a friend of yours, was it by chance you were looking at me
I am aware of you speaking about me behind my back, even though you try to hide it.

You should go away
I want you to leave me alone and stop trying to control me.

And take your judgment with you because you decide for you, and I decide for me
I don't need your opinion or judgment, as I make my own choices and decisions.

Go back to your glittering discos, and take your judgment with you
You should focus on your own life and interests, and not try to intervene in mine.

I think I could understand if you were God up in heaven above
If you were a higher power, such as God, I would accept your authority over me.

But you're just a goon I try to ignore, you're the hawk that killed the dove
You are simply a nuisance that I try to avoid, and your actions are harming others instead of helping them.

Just why are you so concerned with what goes on, is it really a sin?
I question why you are so invested in my life, and wonder if my actions truly have a negative impact on anyone else.

I look at you and I say to myself, how could you be from the valley within.
I am surprised that someone who appears so superficial and shallow could come from the same place as me.

Lyrics © TENEBRAE MUSIC

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