(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.
Violence
Youth Brigade Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the God that made the world their way
In whose name they kill and teach
The sermons and the laws they preach
Violence, just for kicks
Violence, does it make any sense
Violence, can you stop it
Philosophy borne of the mind
Try to explain the problems of our lives
It can t explain away
That violence is here to stay
Say it's just our nature
We have to fightl
Doesn't matter we've been taught
That Might Makes Right
The lyrics to Youth Brigade's song Violence touch on the unfortunate cycle of violence that plagues our society. The opening lines reveal the irony of those who proclaim their faith in a higher power, yet use that faith to justify acts of violence. The song points out the hypocrisy of those who call others fascist, yet act in the same manner themselves. The lyrics suggest that the violence that we see around us is not just a result of our social or political circumstances, but is an inherent part of human nature.
The song also takes a critical stance on the philosophical explanations for violence. It argues that while philosophy may provide a way of understanding the root causes of violence, it cannot negate the fact that violence is embedded deeply within our society. The lyrics suggest that violence is inevitable, and we must accept that it is a part of our lives.
The chorus of the song is a series of questions about violence. The lyrics ask whether we can stop it, whether it makes any sense, and whether we even want to try. The repetition of the word "violence" in the chorus emphasizes the pervasive nature of this issue.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the futility of violence, and the need for humanity to move beyond the cycle of aggression and retaliation.
Line by Line Meaning
They call us fascist and then they pray
People label us as fascist and then hypocritically pray to their God who they believe approves of their conduct.
To the God that made the world their way
They believe in a God who they think created the world while, in truth, they have created their own world where they hold ultimate power.
In whose name they kill and teach
They kill and teach in the name of the same God they worship, whom they falsely believe sanctions their actions.
The sermons and the laws they preach
Their teachings and laws incite violence and justify all their immoral and unrighteous actions.
Violence, just for kicks
They resort to violence without reason, for their own amusement or sense of power.
Violence, does it make any sense
The use of violence is senseless, does not accomplish anything positive, and creates only destruction and suffering.
Violence, can you stop it
People have the power to stop violence, however, they do not want to put in the effort required to do so.
Violence, do you want to
The question of whether people really want to stop violence remains unanswered.
Philosophy borne of the mind
Philosophy emerges from our minds, providing explanations and guidance to help us in life's challenges.
Try to explain the problems of our lives
Philosophy aims to articulate and address the troubles and adversities of human existence.
It can t explain away
Philosophy cannot completely rationalize or justify the widespread existence and use of violence in our society.
That violence is here to stay
Violence is a deeply ingrained part of human nature and so will not disappear anytime soon.
Say it's just our nature
Some argue that violence is innate to human beings, rooted in our genetic makeup and evolutionary heritage.
We have to fight
They view violence as an impulse which must be indulged to thrive or to survive.
Doesn't matter we've been taught
Their disregard for the ethics and morals they have been taught is blatant and does not concern them.
That Might Makes Right
They believe that the one with the biggest fist or the most power automatically has the greatest morality and is always favored by God.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IAN HUNTER, MICHAEL GEOFFREY RALPHS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MrChattyO
That little kid on stage is just like me!!! My older sister took me to a Black Flag show In Philly in '82 , I was 7 yrs old (she was babysitting, hahahahaha!), and it changed my life forever even though I had to hide behind the bar!! All the punks fed me pizza and Dr. Pepper and kept me safe from all the fights.
KIRBY THE COMPUTER GUY
that kid is Little Bobby from Chicago ... those were the good old days at the Metro on Clark .... I see many of the old gang in this clip . Thank you for posting it !
MrThehelpdesk
@KIRBY THE COMPUTER GUY Little bobby is grown up now 🙂
Ebythe Beach
Best babysitter ever!
Abraham Valladsres
@KIRBY THE COMPUTER GUY
Jason L
I love classical music
ivan mdc
I think that was one of biggest show on Earth: Circle Jerks, Bad Religion, Youth Brigade, Social Distortion and Dead Kennedys... LET'S MAKE A MACHINE TIME!
arnjr73
All those bands played a show together? holy shit!! I think i have an extra flux capacitor laying around somewhere.
kt
I know All these bands didn’t play at this show. Circle jerks are on stage in this vid .
Draynged
Yeah he just named his favorite bands....lol.....That would of been the best show ever though if that were the line up!!