Frontman Raymond "Raybeez" Barbieri was the band's only consistent member through the vast majority of its years. He joined the band as the drummer in 1983 (the same year he played drums on the debut Agnostic Front 7" EP United Blood), later taking over vocal duties after Warzone had already been in existence for two years (noting later, "in a band that [had] been running for so long, there has to be something there"). Raybeez remained the singer of Warzone until his death on September 11, 1997 due to pneumonia. A U.S. Navy veteran, he was receiving treatment in a VHA facility when the illness damaged his liver and took his life at the age of 35. A tribute sign reading "R.I.P Ray" hung outside CBGB for some time following his death, and for more than a year afterward, every release on Victory Records was dedicated to his memory, as were two independent compilations. These albums, as well as benefit concerts, raised funds for several non-profit groups Ray had worked for which helped at-risk youth."
Locked Out
Warzone Lyrics
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Have you forgot the past
When you first came around
And you tried to fit in
And be part of what's going on
Now who the fuck do you think you are
Cutting down kids that are new in the scene
Won't cut them no slack
who the fuck do you think you are
Telling everyone how long you've been around
Wanting people to kiss your ass
And every time there a show
You come around
Acting like you're all king of the town
so here's a wake up call
For everyone like you
Cause now we all know you're not true
All the lies you told, all you said
In our scene forever you'll be dead
I've seen your kind every where I go
And tall the troubles you cause at shows
Putting things down but you'll never know
All the shit you talked will one day blow
in your face for all to see
Now you think you're better than me
Tell everyone you've been around for years
That means nothing if no one hears
so you say you want respect
Cause you've put in years of time
But that means nothing
If you don't hear the sounds
All the kids screaming from the underground
what will happen years from now
When those kids are still around
No one will care about you at all
That's when you'll take your big fall
the tables are turning back
Now the kids are on the attack
Locked out no where to go
You've been banned from all our shows
"Locked Out" by Warzone is a punk rock song that discusses the issue of people who enter the musical scene and claim superiority over the newer arrivals. The singer seems to address an individual or group of people who are acting like they rule the scene when, in reality, they were once new and unknown like everyone else. The lyrics criticize these individuals for mistreating the new kids and trying to cut them down.
The singer accuses them of being fake and lying about their authenticity in the scene. The lyrics suggest that all their efforts to portray themselves as superior means nothing if they don't respect the new talents and sounds coming from the underground. Warzone seems to call out these individuals for their arrogance and sense of entitlement, suggesting that it will ultimately cause them to be locked out of the punk scene they once claimed to rule.
Overall, the lyrics send a strong message about the importance of respecting everyone in the scene, regardless of how long they have been around or their level of popularity. It denounces those who feel a sense of entitlement without doing the work to earn it and promotes the idea of inclusivity rather than exclusivity.
Line by Line Meaning
So who the fuck do you think you are
Questioning the listener's entitlement and superiority.
Have you forgot the past
Wondering if the listener has forgotten their own story of trying to fit in at the beginning.
When you first came around
Recalling the listener's initial arrival in the scene.
And you tried to fit in
Remembering the listener's desire to be a part of the scene.
And be part of what's going on
Elaborating on the listener's desire to be included.
Now who the fuck do you think you are
Calling out the listener's shift in attitude and behavior.
Cutting down kids that are new in the scene
Accusing the listener of belittling and disrespecting newcomers.
Won't cut them no slack
Not allowing room for error or growth.
Always kicking them in the back
Metaphorically assaulting the newcomers without regard for their journey.
Telling everyone how long you've been around
Pointing out the listener's arrogance about their experience.
Wanting people to kiss your ass
Exposing the listener's expectation of deference and admiration.
And every time there a show
Noticing the listener's consistent presence at events.
You come around
Highlighting the listener's regularity in the scene.
Acting like you're all king of the town
Calling out the listener's sense of self-importance and entitlement.
So here's a wake up call
Providing a harsh reality check for the listener.
For everyone like you
Addressing anyone who behaves similarly to the listener.
Cause now we all know you're not true
Declaring that the listener's actions are not genuine or sincere.
All the lies you told, all you said
Accusing the listener of being dishonest and insincere in their interactions.
In our scene forever you'll be dead
Threatening the listener with being ostracized and rejected by the community.
I've seen your kind every where I go
Observing that the listener's behavior is common and not unique.
And tall the troubles you cause at shows
Enumerating the negative consequences of the listener's destructive behavior.
Putting things down but you'll never know
Pointing out the listener's ignorance and blindness to their own negative impact.
All the shit you talked will one day blow
Warning the listener that their negative actions will have consequences one day.
In your face for all to see
Implying that the listener's negative consequences will be public and humiliating.
Now you think you're better than me
Accusing the listener of feeling superior to the singer.
Tell everyone you've been around for years
Mocking the listener's self-important proclamations about their experience.
That means nothing if no one hears
Insinuating that the listener's experience is irrelevant if not shared with and recognized by others.
So you say you want respect
Highlighting the listener's desire for respect and recognition.
Cause you've put in years of time
Justifying the listener's expectation of respect based on their claimed experience.
But that means nothing
Pointing out that experience alone is not enough to deserve respect and admiration.
If you don't hear the sounds
Emphasizing the importance of being in tune with the community and culture.
All the kids screaming from the underground
Highlighting the passionate and authentic voices of the new generation in the scene.
What will happen years from now
Asking a rhetorical question about the future consequences of the listener's behavior.
When those kids are still around
Assuming that the new generation will still be an important part of the scene.
No one will care about you at all
Predicting that the listener's influence and relevance will diminish over time.
That's when you'll take your big fall
Anticipating the listener's downfall and loss of power and status in the scene.
The tables are turning back
Observing a shift in power and influence in the scene.
Now the kids are on the attack
Noticing a new generation of aggressive and assertive individuals in the scene.
Locked out no where to go
Excluding the listener from events and activities in the scene.
You've been banned from all our shows
Announcing the listener's official rejection and banishment from the community.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
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