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.
Spineless Majority
The Faction Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pretty much nothing to do
The others are so many it's fuckin' scary
The things that they could to you
They feed on mtv, shaping paths of thought
About the third world war and things they should have bought
Smart ass people they're all the same
You're slightly different so today is the day
Perfect mamma's boys in their perfect daddy's cars
Twenty bucks a ticket to see rock stars
You're a minority 'cause you use your head
The spineless majority wants you dead
They'll kick your teeth in for praise and glory
but when it's one on one it's a whole different story
The spineless majority's for a spineless world
Spineless majority, join for the thrill.
The Faction's song "Spineless Majority" is an aggressive and passionate rebellion against the mainstream culture that values conformity over individual thought. The lyrics describe the isolation and vulnerability that can come with being different in a society that punishes non-conformity. The lines "You're all alone and by yourself, pretty much nothing to do" and "You're a minority 'cause you use your head" both address the feeling of being alienated from the larger group because of one's own values and beliefs.
The song also attacks the idea that popular media, such as MTV, creates a "spineless majority" of people who mindlessly consume and conform to the ideas presented to them. The lyrics suggest that this majority is not only spineless but also dangerous, as they will turn on those who stand out or challenge their beliefs. This is echoed in the lines "The spineless majority wants you dead" and "They'll kick your teeth in for praise and glory".
Overall, "Spineless Majority" is a passionate and unapologetic call to arms for those who refuse to conform to popular culture and the dangerous status quo it creates. It is a rallying cry for individuality and non-conformity, ultimately rejecting the idea that popularity and conformity are more valuable than authenticity and personal beliefs.
Line by Line Meaning
You're all alone and by yourself
You feel isolated and disconnected from others
Pretty much nothing to do
You are bored and lack purpose
The others are so many it's fuckin' scary
There are too many people around you and it's overwhelming
The things that they could to you
You fear what others might do to you
Spineless Majority
The majority of people lack courage and conviction
They feed on mtv, shaping paths of thought
The media influences popular opinion and beliefs
About the third world war and things they should have bought
The media distracts people with trivial concerns and consumerism
Smart ass people they're all the same
People who think they know everything are uniform and narrow-minded
You're slightly different so today is the day
Your individuality makes you a target for criticism and ridicule
Perfect mamma's boys in their perfect daddy's cars
Privileged people who lack authenticity and character
Twenty bucks a ticket to see rock stars
People spend money on superficial entertainment
You're a minority 'cause you use your head
Thinking for yourself makes you a minority.
The spineless majority wants you dead
The majority of people dislike those who challenge their beliefs.
They'll kick your teeth in for praise and glory
Some people will use violence to gain approval and recognition.
but when it's one on one it's a whole different story
People act differently when confronted individually.
The spineless majority's for a spineless world
The world is becoming dominated by weak and cowardly people.
Spineless majority, join for the thrill.
Some people lack conviction and just want to belong to a group.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nick Alex
Lyrics speak to every punk heart.
bedtimefordemocracy
I love this song, thanks for posting. This band is so under credited it's not even funny.