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'Bad Religion' is an American punk rock band that was originally formed in Southern California in 1980 by Jay Bentley (bass), Greg Graffin (vocals), Brett Gurewitz (guitars), and Jay Ziskrout (drums). The band is often credited for leading the revival of punk rock during the late 1980s, as well as influencing a large number of other punk and rock musicians throughout their career. In the 27 years since its inception, Bad Religion has had numerous lineup changes, and Graffin has been the only constant member.
To date, Bad Religion has released fourteen studio albums, two EPs, three compilation albums, one live recording, and two DVDs. Their 1988 album ''Suffer'' is often considered one of the highest selling albums in the history of punk music,[1] although it was not charted in Billboard. Bad Religion's popularity grew in 1994 with their major-label release ''Stranger Than Fiction'', containing the popular hits "21st Century (Digital Boy)" and "Infected", which are often considered concert staples. Between Gurewitz's departure in 1994 and return in 2001, Bad Religion did not achieve much commercial success and poor record sales continued until the release of ''The Process of Belief'' in 2002. Their latest album, ''New Maps of Hell'', came out in 2007.
They are particularly known for their sophisticated use of style, metaphor, vocabulary, imagery, and vocal harmonies (the ''oozin' aahs''), whether reflective of matters of personal feelings or of personal or social responsibility. Perhaps paradoxically, at least at first thought, despite the band's name, Bad Religion may be accurately characterized as far more thematically concerned with questions of the essential character and implications of freedom than with religion or atheism in the more conventional and narrower sense of those terms.
History
Early career and hiatus (1980-1985)
The album cover for ''How Could Hell Be Any Worse?'' (1982), the band's first full-length studio release.
Bad Religion was formed in Los Angeles, California in 1980 by high school students Greg Graffin (vocals, keyboards), Jay Bentley (bass guitar), Jay Ziskrout (drums), and Brett Gurewitz, also known as "Mr. Brett" (guitar). The band's major influences stemmed from earlier punk acts such as The Ramones, The Adolescents, Black Flag, The Germs, and The Sex Pistols. Outside of the punk scene, their influences ranged from Elvis Costello, The Jam, and Nick Lowe to authors like Jack Kerouac.[2] Greg Graffin called his influences "pop sounding rock tunes that were not necessarily commercial."[3]
In 1981, the band released their eponymous debut EP on their own newly-formed label, Epitaph Records, which is managed and owned by Gurewitz. 1982 saw the release of their first full-length album, ''How Could Hell Be Any Worse?'', gaining the band a sizeable following. During the recording of ''How Could Hell Be Any Worse?'', Jay Ziskrout left the band and was replaced by Peter Finestone.
In 1983, the band released ''Into the Unknown'', a keyboard-driven progressive rock album that was enormously unpopular with the band's core fanbase. It is now officially out of print, after almost all of the 10,000 copies were surreptitiously sold out of the warehouse they were being stored in by Suzy Shaw, an ex-girlfriend of Gurewitz.[4] The record has since become a collectors item, and has also gained acceptance from some fans. It can be seen going for more than 100 dollars on eBay, but is often pirated. A common sign of a pirated version of the LP is the bluish hue on the cover, instead of the reddish hue.
In 1984, Greg Hetson of Circle Jerks fame, who had played the guitar solo for "Part III" on ''How Could Hell Be Any Worse?'', joined to replace Gurewitz, who had gone into rehab for his drug problem. Bad Religion returned to a somewhat mellower, rock and roll version of their original sound with the ''Back to the Known'' EP, but disbanded temporarily soon after.
Reunion (1986-1992)
The album cover for ''Suffer'' (1988), one of the highest selling albums in the history of punk music.1
The band slowly reformed out of the 1984 ''Back to the Known'' lineup when Greg Graffin called Jay Bentley and asked him to return. Bentley's response was tentative, but after being assured that the setlist consisted mostly of tracks from ''How Could Hell Be Any Worse?'', he agreed to return for one show, and ended up staying on because he had so much fun. A freshly rehabilitated Gurewitz was eventually convinced to come back aboard, and with Pete Finestone returning on drums and Greg Hetson on second guitar, Bad Religion was back.4
The reunited band released ''Suffer'' in 1988, cementing their comeback in the punk community. Not only is this album often cited as one of their very best by fans, but it is credited with "saving" the Southern California punk rock scene by fans and Bad Religion's contemporaries alike.[5]
''No Control'' (1989) and ''Against the Grain'' (1990) further increased the band's popularity, followed by ''Generator'' (1992). Before recording sessions for ''Generator'' commenced, drummer Pete Finestone left Bad Religion in 1991 to focus on his other band, The Fishermen, which had signed with a major label, and Bobby Schayer joined the band as his replacement.
Also during 1991, Bad Religion released a compilation album, ''80-85'', a repackaging of their debut album, ''How Could Hell Be Any Worse?'', their two EPs, ''Bad Religion'' and ''Back to the Known'' and the band's three track contributions to the ''Public Service'' EP. This compilation did not include ''Into the Unknown''. ''80-85'' is now out of print and has been replaced by the 2004 re-issued version of ''How Could Hell Be Any Worse?'' with the same track listings.
Bad Religion's "crossbuster" logo
Mainstream success (1993-1995)
The album cover for ''Stranger Than Fiction'' (1994), the band's last recording with Gurewitz, until ''The Process of Belief'' (2002).
With alternative rock and grunge breaking into the mainstream, Bad Religion left Epitaph Records for Atlantic Records and quickly re-released their seventh full-length studio album ''Recipe for Hate'' (1993) on the major label. Also in 1993, the band recorded the song "Leaders and Followers" for the soundtrack for the Kevin Smith film, ''Clerks''. 1994's ''Stranger Than Fiction'' followed, but Gurewitz left the band shortly following its release. Officially, he cited the increasing amount of time he was spending at Epitaph's offices as The Offspring became one of the biggest bands of the mid-1990s, but it was well known that his departure was not on good terms. Gurewitz, along with many fans, accused the band of selling out for leaving Epitaph to seek greater financial success despite the fact that Gurewitz was making millions off of The Offspring alone.[6]
As tensions increased, Graffin would sing alternate lyrics during concerts such as "I want to know where Brett gets his crack" or "I want to know why Gurewitz cracked," on the song "Stranger Than Fiction".[7] These barbs referred to Gurewitz's struggles with crack, heroin and other addictions which plagued him for years. Brett discussed his drug use in an interview on the band's ''Suffer'' tour documentary, ''Along the Way'', and is now clean and sober. In response, Gurewitz recorded a song with his new band The Daredevils entitled "Hate You", reportedly directed towards Jay Bentley.
Gurewitz was replaced as a guitarist by Brian Baker, a former member of bands such as Minor Threat and Dag Nasty. Since Greg Graffin and Gurewitz had split songwriting duties, Graffin was now Bad Religion's primary songwriter.
On March 4, 1998 "Stranger Than Fiction" became Bad Religion's first RIAA certified gold record for sales of over half a million in the U.S.
Post-Gurewitz period (1996-2000)
The album cover for ''The Gray Race'' (1996), the band's first recording with guitarist Brian Baker.
Bad Religion continued on without Brett Gurewitz and released three more albums for Atlantic. ''The Gray Race'' (1996), produced by former Cars frontman, Ric Ocasek. The album would score Bad Religion a minor U.S. radio hit with the song "A Walk" as well as the European release of "Punk Rock Song" (sung in both English and German). The band would find its greatest success in Europe, where the album would reach the German music charts at #6 and score the band their first European gold record for sales in Scandinavia alone.
Brian Baker (L) with Bad Religion, live in the Netherlands, 1995.
Bad Religion departed from Atlantic Records in 2001 and returned to Epitaph.
Reunion with Gurewitz (2001-present)
The album cover for ''The Process of Belief'' (2002), the band's first recording with Gurewitz in nearly eight years.
In 2001, Brett Gurewitz rejoined the band in time to record ''The Process Of Belief'' (2002). Graffin states, "there was a little bit of disappointment on my part when he left the band, but we never had any serious acrimony between the two of us. I can't say the same for the rest of the band. But he and I, being the songwriters from way back, we really wanted to try again."[10]
The return of Gurewitz helped create the album's unofficial title ''The Process of Belief'', as the original Bad Religion sound seemed to have returned.
Their next album, ''The Empire Strikes First'', was released in June 2004. Both albums are widely regarded by fans and critics as a return to form for the band, as opposed to their time on Atlantic.
The band also re-released digitally-remastered versions of several of their early albums on Epitaph Records, including ''How Could Hell Be Any Worse?'', ''Suffer'', ''No Control'', ''Against the Grain'', and ''Generator''. The ''How Could Hell Be Any Worse?'' re-issue, though reclaiming the original title of the band's debut LP, contained all of the same material as the previously issued ''80-85'' compilation, including their first EP, the ''Public Service'' EP (with different versions of the songs Bad Religion, Slaves, and Drastic Actions than the self-titled EP) and the "Back To The Known" EP.
On March 7, 2006, a live DVD, ''Live at the Palladium'' was released. This DVD featured a live show performed in late 2004 at the Hollywood Palladium, as well as extensive interviews, several music videos, and a photo gallery. During one of the interview segments, guitarist Brett Gurewitz says the band's next album might be a double length release.3
Greg Graffin released his second solo album, ''Cold as the Clay'', on July 11, 2006.
Bad Religion's recent studio album, titled ''New Maps of Hell'', was released on July 10, 2007.
On November 21, 2006, the band confirmed they would be part of the 2007 Warped Tour.[11]
On June 29, 2007 Epitaph Records started selling'' New Maps Of Hell'' at Warped Tour In Pomona, California.
Guitarist Greg Hetson formed a supergroup band called Black President, consisting of Charlie Paulson (from Goldfinger), Jason Christopher, Wade Youman (both from Unwritten Law) and Christian Black (from Dee Dee Ramone).[12]
Lyrics and ideology
Bad Religion in Stockholm, 2004
The majority of Bad Religion's lyrics are written by either Greg Graffin or Brett Gurewitz. Only on rare occasions will they co-write a song. Other band members, such as Jay Bentley, also contribute songs, but these constitute only a small percentage of the Bad Religion catalog.
Brett Gurewitz acknowledges attempting to emulate The Germs singer Darby Crash early on in Bad Religion's lyrical style. "He wrote some intelligent stuff, and didn't shy away from the vocabulary, which I thought was cool."[13] In addition to their use of atypically complicated vocabulary for a punk band, Bad Religion is also known for their frequent use of vocal harmonies, which they refer to in their album liner notes as the "oozin aahs". They took their cues from The Adolescents, in the way that they used three-part harmonies. Bassist Jay Bentley says, "Seeing The Adolescents live, it was so brilliant. So, in a way, the Adolescents influenced us into saying we can do it too, because look, they're doing it."4[14]
Social and political issues
Many of Bad Religion's songs are about different social ills, although they make attempts not to ascribe the causes of these ills to any single person or group. Greg Graffin believes that the current political situation in the United States can make it difficult to voice these concerns, as he doesn't want to feed the polarization of viewpoints.[15]
The band doesn't always restrict political commentary exclusively to metaphor. Brett Gurewitz pulled no punches when he attributed his anger towards US President George W. Bush as the major inspiration for ''The Empire Strikes First''. "Our whole album is dedicated to getting Bush out of office. I'm not a presidential scholar but I don't think you'll find a worse president in the history of the United States. He's probably one of the worst leaders in the history of world leaders. I just hate the guy."15
Religion
Despite the name of the band, the members do not consider themselves antitheist. Singer Greg Graffin states that more often than not, the band prefers to use religion as a metaphor for anything that doesn't allow for an individual's freedom to think or express themselves as they choose. In this way, their songs are more about anti-conformity than anti-religion.[16]
However, Greg Graffin himself is an atheist, and co-author of the book 'Is Belief in God Good, Bad or Irrelevant?'
Members
Line-ups
| Dates | Members & prominent instruments | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| (1980-1981) | ★ Greg Graffin - vocals ★ Mr. Brett - guitar ★ Jay Bentley - bass ★ Jay Ziskrout - drums | ★ Bad Religion's first incarnation. ★ Original drummer Jay Ziskrout contributed some tracks on the ''How Could Hell Be Any Worse?'' album. |
| (1981-1982) | ★ Greg Graffin - vocals ★ Mr. Brett - guitar ★ Jay Bentley - bass ★ Pete Finestone - drums | Though not yet credited as a member of the band, Greg Hetson did a guitar solo the song "Part III". |
| (1982-1984) | ★ Greg Graffin - vocals ★ Mr. Brett - guitar ★ Paul Dedona - bass ★ Davy Goldman - drums | The ''Into the Unknown'' line-up. |
| (1984) | ★ Greg Graffin - vocals ★ Greg Hetson - guitar ★ Tim Gallegos - bass ★ Pete Finestone - drums | The group briefly disbanded after the release of the disappointing ''Into the Unknown'', but reformed to record the ''Back to the Known'' EP, then (briefly) parted ways once again. |
| (1985) | ★ Greg Graffin - vocals ★ Mr. Brett - guitar ★ Tim Gallegos - bass ★ John Albert - drums | This line-up did not release any recordings. |
| (1986) | ★ Greg Graffin - vocals ★ Mr. Brett - guitar ★ Jay Bentley - bass ★ Lucky Lehrer - drums | This line-up did not release any recordings. |
| (1986-1991) | ★ Greg Graffin - vocals ★ Mr. Brett - guitar ★ Greg Hetson - guitar ★ Jay Bentley - bass ★ Pete Finestone - drums | ★ This is Bad Religion's "classic" line-up. ★ First line-up not as a four piece band. |
| (1991-1994) | ★ Greg Graffin - vocals ★ Mr. Brett - guitar ★ Greg Hetson - guitar ★ Jay Bentley - bass ★ Bobby Schayer - drums | |
| (1994-2001) | ★ Greg Graffin - vocals ★ Brian Baker - guitar ★ Greg Hetson - guitar ★ Jay Bentley - bass ★ Bobby Schayer - drums | Before returning properly, Brett co-wrote and played guitar on "Believe It" (from 2000's ''The New America''). |
| (2001-present) | ★ Greg Graffin - vocals ★ Mr. Brett - guitar ★ Brian Baker - guitar ★ Greg Hetson - guitar ★ Jay Bentley - bass ★ Brooks Wackerman - drums |
Member reunions
★ When Bad Religion reunited in 1984, Gurewitz was not part of the band, but he produced the ''Back to the Known'' EP. He rejoined the band in 1986 — while members of the ''How Could Hell Be Any Worse?'' line-up were reuniting — and recorded the albums between ''Suffer'' and ''Stranger Than Fiction'' before leaving once again in 1994. Many believed that he had left for good. His final return with Bad Religion was in 2001 and he is still a member of the band today. He did, however, co-write the song "Believe It" (from ''The New America'' album) before rejoining.
★ Bentley left Bad Religion in 1982 while they began work on their second album ''Into the Unknown'', but returned in 1986 and is still a member of the band today.
★ Finestone left Bad Religion in 1982 while they began work on their second album ''Into the Unknown'' as well, but returned in 1984 to record the ''Back to the Known'' before leaving again. His final return with Bad Religion was in 1986 and he recorded three more albums (''Suffer'', ''No Control'' and ''Against the Grain'') before leaving the band again for good in 1991. However, he briefly reunited with the band in a 2003 show in Las Vegas to play the drums for "Fuck Armageddon... This Is Hell".
Discography
Main articles: Bad Religion discography
External links
★ Official Website
★ Bad Religion at MySpace.
★ The Bad Religion Page Fan website, established 1995.
★ The Answer Wiki An Encyclopedia dedicated to Bad Religion.
★ Interview with Jay Bentley of Bad Religion
References
1. Bad Religion at IMDB.com
2.
3.
4.
5. Suffer Bad Religion Homepage
6. The Higher Calling Neal Rogers
7. Stranger Than Fiction The Bad Religion Page
8. The Atlantic Records Bad Religion Bio Page
9. Bad Religion: The Process of Labels Keith Carman
10.
11. Bad Religion Sign On For Warped Tour
12. In the January issue of the magazine Alternative Press,it was revealed that there 14th album will be released in late spring 2007.
Greg Hetson, Charlie Paulson form Black President
13.
14.
15.
16.
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