The Germs disbanded following Crash's suicide on December 7, 1980. Their music was influential to many later punk rock acts. Pat Smear went on to greater fame performing with Nirvana and the Foo Fighters.
In 2005, actor Shane West was cast to play Crash in the Germs biographical film What We Do Is Secret (named after a song by the Germs). He performed with Smear, Doom, and Bolles at a production party for the film, after which the Germs reformed with West as singer. The new lineup of the band has performed a number of tours in the United States, including performances on the 2006 and 2008 Warped Tours.
On January 16, 2019, bassist Lorna Doom (born as Teresa Ryan) passed away.
What We Do Is Secret
The Germs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Defects in a defect's mirror
And we've been here all the time
Real fixations
Hidden deep in the furor
What we do is secret, secret!
We're influential guys for the D.C.C
And we've got a party line
To every call
It's a very short circuit
What we do is secret, secret!
Licensed to drill with the torch
In our lives
Walking on shallow water
Progressed to the
Point of no distinction
Dementia of a higher order
What we do is secret, secret!
The opening lines of The Germs' song "What We Do Is Secret" introduce the band essentially as misfits, standing in line as "abberations" and "defects". The use of the term "defect's mirror" suggests they feel alienated and viewed in a negative light, even by those who may also be considered to be societal outcasts. However, despite these feelings of being out of place, the Germs are confident in their individuality and intensely dedicated to their cause, which is referred to as a "real fixation". The repetition of "What we do is secret, secret!" underscores a sense of exclusivity and importance among those who are part of the Germs' movement.
The next stanza hints at the political dimension of the Germs' activities. They are "influential guys for the D.C.C", which could be seen as a reference to the Democratic Central Committee, a political organization in California. The band members present themselves as skilled manipulators, able to "lie so perfect" and maintain a "party line" in their communications. The reference to a "short circuit" underscores the idea that the Germs' activities are not completely straightforward or sustainable. Ultimately, the song suggests that the Germs are operating in a complex and volatile world, where their activities are necessary but dangerous.
In later stanzas, the lyrics become more surreal and impressionistic. The band members are described as being "licensed to drill with the torch", suggesting that they have access to powerful tools or information. The phrase "walking on shallow water" is a poetic way of saying that the Germs are navigating treacherous territory, where the slightest misstep could be disastrous. The song closes with the line "dementia of a higher order," which confirms that the Germs' activities are offbeat and risky, but also necessary for their cause.
Line by Line Meaning
Standing in the line we're abberations
Our presence in society is abnormal and goes against the norm.
Defects in a defect's mirror
Our flaws are a reflection of society's flaws.
And we've been here all the time
We have always existed, but have been overlooked or rejected by society.
Real fixations
Our interests and passions are genuine and important to us.
Hidden deep in the furor
Society's chaos and confusion conceal our true identities and worth.
What we do is secret, secret!
Our lives and actions are private and unknown to those who reject us.
We're influential guys for the D.C.C
We have power and influence within our own group or community.
We can lie so perfect
We can deceive others without difficulty, either for self-preservation or amusement.
And we've got a party line
We have a shared ideology or set of beliefs that unites us.
To every call
We are always ready and willing to support our cause, whatever it may be.
It's a very short circuit
Our beliefs and actions are simple and straightforward, without a lot of complexity or nuance.
Licensed to drill with the torch
We have the tools and skills necessary to break through societal barriers and achieve our goals.
In our lives
Our individual experiences and struggles shape who we are.
Walking on shallow water
We are on the brink of disaster or failure, but remain resilient and steadfast.
Progressed to the point of no distinction
We have transcended societal norms and expectations to become something unique and distinct.
Dementia of a higher order
Our madness or unconventional behavior is actually a sign of our intelligence and creativity.
What we do is secret, secret!
Our true motives and aspirations are hidden from those who would seek to harm or oppress us.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Darby Crash, Georg Ruthenberg
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dunya4372
This is one of my favorite songs ever written. I like everything about it, but the way Darby sings it I just love🤘
@Twatty
Pat smear is so underrated as a guitarist
@catholicneurologits
Everything and everyone in YouTube is "underrated". Recently I read even root beer is "underrated"...! Pat Smear played for Nirvana at their apex, and now play in one of the most polpular pop rock band of all time... what you need? To see him everyday quoted in the newspaper?
@oliveredwards1368
@Catholic Neurologist I feel like a lot of people are only here becuase of pat being in nirvana
@catholicneurologits
@oliver edwards Most of people listen to what is famous, often they don't even do their own research for what they may like... they are passive listeners.
@markpearson6391
Says who? Not anyone who knows punk Kurt Kobain loved him!!!
@Whitehorse_crimefighter
After the movie what we do is secret came out they toured and after the show I was full of beer and I was going to beat the shit out of this one scumbag and pat smear stopped me and told me "punx should unite and not fight" I said "pat smear you are absolutely correct"
That same dude I was going to fight got stabbed to death and died in the street like a dog by someone else not too long ago.
I love the punk scene
I hate the punk scene
The Germs FOREVER!
@channel7plan98
I remember when the word went around school in So Cal that darby had killed himself.. The Germs were messed up nihilists but also true pioneers of hard core punk rock and this song and Media Blitz are masterpieces of the genre.
@kipponi
What amazes me in his singing he sung like there is almost no melody.
No one else can't do this.
@86eastbay
Tim Armstrong