(1) The … Read Full Bio ↴Youth Brigade can refer to two different punk music groups.
(1) The first was a punk music trio formed by brothers Mark Stern, Adam Stern, and Shawn Stern, in Hollywood, California in 1980. The band has broken up and subsequently re-formed a number of times. They have been together again for several years as of 2006, and playing shows throughout California. Youth Brigade have only released a few records, but were influential as the founders of the Better Youth Organization, an independent record label and concert booking firm.
(2) Youth Brigade was also another, unrelated punk band from Washington D.C., who released a 7" EP on Dischord Records in 1981. This band subsequently, during their short life, called themselves DC Youth Brigade. Youth Brigade DC also has 3 tracks featured on the 1982 Dischord compilation Flex Your Head. An unreleased song entitled "I Object" is also featured on the 20 Years of Dischord compliation set. Although only around for a short period of time the DC Youth Brigade played shows with the legendary Minor Threat. Their style is also now considered a classic example of American hardcore punk.
Brigade Song
Youth Brigade Lyrics
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We're moving in, we're taking over
We're gonna have some fun tonight
If you can't take the heat, stay outta the street
Yesterdays heroes are forgotten today
And today's won't be remembered tomorrow
All the ideas must be swept away
No time for pity or sorrow
We're gonna kick some heads tonight
If you don't have friends you better take cover
The crews all here tonight
We've moved in, we've taken over
It don't matter how long you've been around
You're either real or just a wanna be
It's time for all you kids to realize
You either join or be left behind
We're gonna kick some heads tonight
If you don't have friends you better take cover
The crews all here tonight
We've moved in, we've taken over
It don't matter how long you've been around
You're either real or just a wanna be
It's time for all you kids to realize
You either join or be left behind
The lyrics of Youth Brigade's "Brigade Song" are filled with aggression and rebellion against societal norms. The song seems to be centered around a fight or a confrontation that is planned for the night. The singers are moving in and taking over, indicating that they have a clear plan of action. They warn that if you can't take the heat, you should stay out of the way. Society's heroes of yesterday are forgotten, and today's heroes won't be remembered tomorrow. The lyrics suggest that all your ideas must be swept away, indicating that it's time for a new order.
The song talks about the crew being together, and if you don't have friends, you better take cover. There is no room for the weak, and it's time for kids to realize that you either join or be left behind. The lyrics seem to be a call to arms for a new generation to rise up and challenge the current societal order. They proclaim that it doesn't matter how long you've been around, you're either real or just a wanna be. The lyrics are filled with anger and frustration, calling out for a new order to be established by any means necessary.
Line by Line Meaning
Gonna be a fight tonight
There will be a physical altercation this evening
We're moving in, we're taking over
We are entering and gaining control of the situation
We're gonna have some fun tonight
We will enjoy ourselves tonight
If you can't take the heat, stay outta the street
If you cannot handle the intensity of the situation, then do not participate
Yesterdays heroes are forgotten today
Those who were once admired are no longer remembered or valued
And today's won't be remembered tomorrow
Those who are currently in the limelight will eventually be forgotten
All the ideas must be swept away
All preconceived notions and plans must be discarded
No time for pity or sorrow
There is no time for compassionate or sorrowful emotion
We're gonna kick some heads tonight
We will physically assault individuals tonight
If you don't have friends you better take cover
If you are alone, protect yourself from harm
The crews all here tonight
All members of our group are present this evening
We've moved in, we've taken over
We have established our control and authority over the situation
It don't matter how long you've been around
The length of time spent in the situation is irrelevant
You're either real or just a wanna be
A person is either authentic or a pretender
It's time for all you kids to realize
All individuals should understand and accept the reality of the situation
You either join or be left behind
A person must either participate or be excluded or left out
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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