The Virus formed in February 1998, with Mike Virus on vocals, Chris on lead guitar, Fat Dave on guitar, Jarrod on drums, and Geoff on bass. The band played their first concert a month later. During the band's first six months, they performed several concerts, including one in Philadelphia with the band Special Duties, and a another at the now-closed Coney Island High in New York City.
In July 1998, they recorded two songs for a split CD with New York band The Manix (with members of The Devotchkas and The Casualties). Only 130 copies of the CD were made, and they sold out quickly. Shortly thereafter, original bass player Geoff was asked to leave the band. After trying out several bass players, it was decided that Fat Dave’s longtime friend Paul would join.
In February 1999, the band recorded five songs for their first 7", called Global Crisis, and for the Punx Unite 2 compilation on Charged Records. The 7" sold out fairly quickly, and they started getting a lot more gig offers. In May, lead guitar player Chris and the band had a falling out, with Chris leaving the band. The band continued to perform regularly all over the east coast United States as a quartet.
In September, the band added a new member, Mike Authority of local Philadelphia band, No Authority. In March 2000, the band recorded 12 songs for their first full-length CD/LP, Still Fighting For A Future, on Charged Records. After the album was recorded, singer Mike Virus left the band and Paul took over vocals. The band then recruited Tim from the Jersey band the Oi Scouts.
In June, the band left for a six-week USA tour with The Casualties, Endless Struggle, Antidote and Funeral Dress. After returning from the tour, Tim informed the band that the road life wasn’t for him, but he agreed to help out until the band replaced him. In December the band brought in Josh, who was a fan of the band. In March 2001, the band recorded four new songs for a limited picture disc 7" to be released on Charged Records. Punk Core Records bought the rights to release the picture disc from Charged Records, and released the 7" in October 2001, along with a Singles & Rarities CD .
In June 2000, the band played the Promote Chaos festival in Atlanta, Georgia alongside bands like: Anti-Nowhere League, The Crack, and Peter and the Test Tube Babies. A month later they went to to Morecambe, England to play at the Holidays In The Sun festival alongside bands like The Exploited, The Partisans, GBH, UK Subs, Resistance 77, Threats and Cock Sparrer.
Late August saw the band on a short East Coast US tour with Antidote from Holland. After the tour, the band took five months off to write and record their second 12-song CD/LP titled Nowhere To Hide on Punk Core Records. During those five months, Fat Dave left the band. In February 2002, the band recorded their second full-length album. Drew joined the band on bass, and Josh moved to guitar On February 15, the band played in Philadelphia with Slaughter & The Dogs.
After that, they were back to playing regular weekend gigs all over the American east coast. In April, the Nowhere To Hide CD & LP was released. In July, the band again played at the Holidays In The Sun festival in England. They then went on a short west coast US tour with The Riffs from Portland. Then the band played the HITS fest in Asbury Park, New Jersey in early September. A highlight of the festival for the band was having Wattie Buchan of the Exploited join the band onstage to sing The Exploited song I Believe In Anarchy. The band returned to California at the end of the year to play three concerts in Hollywood, Pomona and San Diego with the Riffs & The Voids. Shortly thereafter, however, the band split up entirely.
The Time Is Now
The Virus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I won't play your games of which is which
There's too many rules and I won't be restricted
By these political games, no I won't fall victim
It's time to fight for what you believe in
If you know what I mean, then you know what you're missing
Now we ain't gonna live by your rules no more
Some kids today, well they don't know shit
There minds don't work and their ignorance fits
No use for any kind of education
Silver spoon in hand and their minds on vacation
It's time to fight for what you believe in
If you know what I mean, then you know what you're missing
Now we ain't gonna live by your rules no more
But we gotta figure out what we're fighting for
Ring wing, left wing each is wrong
Won't play these fu*king games where I never belong
I wanna learn learn to use my own mind
I'm not missing out, I'm not wasting my time.
It's time to fight for what you believe in
If you know what I mean, then you know what you're missing
Now we ain't gonna live by your rules no more
But we gotta figure out what we're fighting for
The Virus's song "The Time Is Now" speaks about the frustration of living in a world filled with rules, politics, and ignorance. The lyricist refuses to play any "games" and be restricted by the political games and rules of society. He urges listeners to fight for what they believe in, to stop living by the rules set by others and to find out what they are fighting for. A sense of rebellion can be noted throughout the lyrics, especially with the lines that mention not fitting in with either left-wing or right-wing politics.
The lyrics also highlight the importance of education and using one's own mind. The line "Some kids today, well they don't know shit" expresses the songwriter's belief that many people today lack the critical thinking skills necessary to make informed decisions. The chorus reinforces the message of fighting for what you believe in, implying that only those who fight for what they believe in truly know what they are missing.
Overall, The Virus's song "The Time Is Now" is a call to action for listeners to break free from societal restrictions and fight for their own beliefs. The lyrics reflect a sense of frustration and rebellion, calling for critical thinking and individualism.
Line by Line Meaning
What'd you say you son of a bitch?
I will not tolerate being manipulated by political forces
I won't play your games of which is which
I refuse to be misled by political propaganda
There's too many rules and I won't be restricted
Political games aim to restrict my freedom
By these political games, no I won't fall victim
I won't let these political games deceive and sway me
Some kids today, well they don't know shit
Some youth of today have become ignorant and uneducated
There minds don't work and their ignorance fits
Their minds are closed and their ignorance fits them well
No use for any kind of education
These youth have no interest in gaining knowledge or education
Silver spoon in hand and their minds on vacation
They are privileged but lack the drive to use their intellect
Ring wing, left wing each is wrong
Partisan politics is flawed and misguided
Won't play these fu*king games where I never belong
I refuse to indulge in these political games that do not represent my ideals
I wanna learn learn to use my own mind
I want to learn how to think independently
I'm not missing out, I'm not wasting my time.
I am not missing out on anything by refusing to indulge in political games
It's time to fight for what you believe in
It is time to stand up for one's beliefs
If you know what I mean, then you know what you're missing
If you understand my perspective, you'll realize what is at stake
Now we ain't gonna live by your rules no more
I refuse to be confined by your political rules any longer
But we gotta figure out what we're fighting for
We must determine what principles we stand for and fight for them
Contributed by Natalie I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@breestone6607
Dammm I remember this.... ...
@udunn0jb
Bree Stone welcome back
@oddfutureisdopeasfk
Wanna pogo?
@Wolferatu_World
Paul's era was the best!
@happymike420
Is. Since he's still going things with this band.
@PunkSka420
Just heard this live last night. (Video posted)
@udunn0jb
2020
@MarioGarcia-wl3zm
yup
@FucileCarico
it's a great song!
@oddfutureisdopeasfk
Decontrol Banx