Shortly thereafter they were signed by Go-Kart Records and re-recorded the songs from "A Lesson" and re-released their album with the addition of some new tracks.
At the Fest VII in Gainesville, FL they were approached by Brendan Kelly of The Lawrence Arms and subsequently signed to Red Scare Industries.
They released their Red Scare debut EP "Hold On, Dodge" in 2009.
In April 2010, Chamberlain Waits was released, through Red Scare Records. In March and April they also toured in support of Against Me!.
On May 17, 2011 they announced that they had signed to Epitaph Records. Brett Gurewitz, founder of Epitaph Records and guitarist of Bad Religion said this about the signing of the band:
"These guys play the kind of pure punk rock that I grew up with. They are seriously talented songwriters and I'm happy to welcome them to the Epitaph family. I think the band is a great fit here."
They released their third full length album, On The Impossible Past, on February 21, 2012 via Epitaph Records.
The band currently lives in South Philadelphia, PA.
Band Members:
Tom May
Joe Godino
Greg Barnett
Eric Keen
Bad Catholics
The Menzingers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And drive around with just a half a pack of smokes
Bottle of Clear Eyes and appetite
We were pillaging the Turkey Hill on Main Ave in West Side
Wouldn't you guess the only thing we had to fear
Would be flashing their lights in the rearview mirror
This time they got us
It's all over now
But thank God for your father's last name
And all the connections that he's made
To everyone, you're such a sweet church girl
But I know your secret
Bad Catholics, weren't we, darling?
Always dipping out before communion started
Bad Catholics, weren't we, darling?
Always dipping out before communion started
Another summer and another church picnic
I watch a mother run around in a panic
Chasing a kid with his orange soda mustache
While his father's by the gambling wheel
There I saw you in the beer tent
Hanging with your new husband and your baby on the way
Oh it's kind of strange how it made me miss something
Long lost in the both of us now
You thank God that I found my way
You introduce me to what's his name
To everyone you're a sweet church girl, but I know your secret
Bad Catholics, weren't we, darling?
Always dipping out before communion started
Bad Catholics, weren't we, darling?
Always dipping out before communion started
Bad Catholics, weren't we, darling?
Always dipping out before communion started
Bad Catholics, weren't we, darling?
Always dipping out before communion started
The Menzingers' song "Bad Catholics" is a reflection on the past, specifically the reckless behavior of two ex-lovers who grew up in the same church community. The opening verse paints a vivid picture of the pair getting high and driving around with just a few supplies. The reference to "pillaging the Turkey Hill on Main Ave in West Side" gives a sense of the small-town setting where they grew up. Suddenly, their joyride comes to an end when they see the flashing red and blue lights behind them. The singer, a "sweet church girl" with a powerful father, desperately prays for deliverance, and it seems like they will be caught. However, they escape punishment thanks to her father's connections and their privilege. The second verse continues the theme of church events as the singer recalls attending another summer picnic and seeing his ex with her new partner and child. He cannot help feeling nostalgic for their shared past and melancholy about their current realities, which have caused them to drift apart. The chorus repeats the phrase "Bad Catholics, weren't we, darling?" highlighting their shared experience of being rule-breakers who refused to stick around for the important religious events.
Overall, the song seems to explore the ways that our past can continue to shape us, even as we move forward and make new choices. The title phrase "Bad Catholics" points to the tension between the rules and expectations of their church community and their own desire to rebel and experience life on their own terms. Despite their efforts to distance themselves from their religious upbringing, their shared history remains a powerful bond that they can't escape.
Line by Line Meaning
We should've never thought that we could get stoned
We made a mistake when we thought it was okay to smoke weed and drive
And drive around with just a half a pack of smokes
We were foolish to drive with only a few cigarettes and no plan
Bottle of Clear Eyes and appetite
We only came prepared with eye drops and hunger
We were pillaging the Turkey Hill on Main Ave in West Side
We were robbing a convenience store in a specific area
Wouldn't you guess the only thing we had to fear
The only thing we were afraid of was getting caught
Would be flashing their lights in the rearview mirror
The police were the only ones who could make us stop
This time they got us
We were finally caught by the police
It's all over now
We knew it was the end of the road for us
You were praying Hail Marys for an escape route
You were hoping for a way out and praying to God for help
But thank God for your father's last name
We were grateful that your father had connections
And all the connections that he's made
Your father had important relationships that benefited us
To everyone, you're such a sweet church girl
You have a good reputation as a religious person
But I know your secret
I know that you're not as innocent as you appear
Another summer and another church picnic
We went to another church event the following summer
I watch a mother run around in a panic
I observed a mother in a frenzied state
Chasing a kid with his orange soda mustache
The mother was trying to catch a child with a soda-covered face
While his father's by the gambling wheel
The child's father was gambling nearby
There I saw you in the beer tent
I saw you in the area where they were selling alcohol
Hanging with your new husband and your baby on the way
You were spending time with your spouse and awaiting the birth of your child
Oh it's kind of strange how it made me miss something
It was strange how being near you made me long for something we had lost
Long lost in the both of us now
Something we used to share is now lost between us
You thank God that I found my way
You were grateful that I got better and moved on
You introduce me to what's his name
You introduced your spouse to me, but I don't know their name
Bad Catholics, weren't we, darling?
We were not good Catholics
Always dipping out before communion started
We would leave church early before receiving communion
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GREG BARNETT, JOSEPH GODINO, ERIC JOSEPH KEEN, THOMAS F. MAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ben Moses
What a great slice-of-life song. I am not Catholic, or even of the Menzingers' generation, but I grew up in an area that had a high concentration of working-class Catholics, and I can see how this song would evoke nostalgia for my schoolmates who came from that world: church picnics, risky behavior, a father who was on the police force or had friends who were. Plus, the track has a killer hook. Well done, guys.
Jeremiah Rufini
Gen X Catholic dad, can confirm this song nails it
Bradley Taylor
Gold, pure fucking gold. 100% one of the best bands going right now.
Michael Tucker
As a kid from West Side in Scranton, I can relate to this! You guys fucking rock!! Going to see you on the 17th in Scranton, can't wait!
The Rebel Dottie
The Menzingers just continue to raise the fucking bar
Westley Cornwell
Sue me but I think this is their best album.
Ryan Poe
@Evan Feely I agree.
Evan Feely
This one and rented world are my favorites.
mirraco323
Apparently it was a last minute decision to put this song on the record. I'd say they made the right call, this song is such a jam!
Vin_ ska
Love the line"U thanked god i found my way, u introduced me to ol' whats his name"