Bad Religion’s Biography

Bad Religion formed in the northern suburbs of Los Angeles in 1980, comprising guitarist Brett Gurewitz, vocalist Greg Graffin, bassist Jay Bentley, and drummer Jay Ziskrout. Gurewitz established his own record company, Epitaph, to release the band's records. Between their self-titled EP and their first full-length record, Pete Finestone replaced Ziskrout as the group's drummer. Into the Unknown, their debut album, was released in 1983 and gained them some attention on the national U.S. hardcore scene. After its release, the group's lineup changed, as bassist Paul Dedona and drummer Davy Goldman joined the group. 

In the meantime, the band's lineup was undergoing some more shakeups. Gurewitz had to take 1984 off to recover from various substance abuse problems, leaving Graffin as the band's only original member. In addition to Graffin, the 1984 incarnation of the band featured former Circle Jerks guitarist Greg Hetson, bassist Tim Gallegos, and returning drummer Pete Finestone. Bad Religion's next release, the harder, punkier Back to the Known EP restored faith among the group's devoted fans. After its release, the group went on hiatus for three years.

When Bad Religion returned in 1987, the band featured Gurewitz, Graffin, Ziskrout, Hetson, and Finestone. They released Suffer the following year, a record that re-established the group as prominent players in the U.S. underground punk/hardcore scene. They followed with No Control (1989) and Against the Grain (1990). By the time of their 1993 album, Recipe for Hate, alternative rock had become popular with the mainstream; in addition, the band's following was quite large. These two factors contributed to Bad Religion signing a major-label contract with Atlantic Records. Recipe for Hate was originally released on Epitaph, but it was soon re-released with the support of Atlantic. The group's first proper major-label album was 1994's Stranger Than Fiction; it was also Gurewitz's last album with the group. Before the release of Stranger Than Fiction, Epitaph had an unexpected hit with the Offspring's Smash, causing Gurewitz to spend more time at the label; reports also indicated that he was displeased with Bad Religion's major-label contract. The group replaced Gurewitz with hardcore veteran Brian Baker for their supporting tour, which proved to be their most successful to date. 

Bad Religion released their second major-label album, The Gray Race, in early 1996, but it didn't achieve the same results as its predecessors. No Substance followed in 1998, and two years later the band returned with New America, which was produced by Todd Rundgren. Although it featured Bad Religion's best work in years, Atlantic subsequently dropped the band, which returned to the Epitaph label. In the summer of 2001, Gurewitz rejoined the lineup after a six-year absence, and the group began work on The Process of Belief.

Bad Religion then returned in June of this year with Empire Strikes First, a typically acerbic LP that reflected the surge of anger and defiance in the punk and indie music communities toward the policies of the Bush administration Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide.

http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/bad_religion/bio.jhtml

American Jesus – Bad Religion

1. Fill in the gaps.

I don't need to be a global _________ ₁,
'Cause I'm blessed by nationality,
I'm a member of a ___________ ₂ populace,
We enforced our popularity
There are things that seem to ________ ₃ us under and
There are things that ­­­­­­________ ₄ us down,
But there's a power and a ________ ₅ presence
That's lurking all around

We've got the American Jesus
See him on the _____________ _6,
We've got the American Jesus
He helped _________ ₇ the president's estate

I feel sorry for the earth's _______________ ₈ 

'Cause so ______ ₉ live in the U.S.A,
At least the foreigners can copy our ______________ ₁₀,
They can visit but they cannot stay,
Only _______________ ₁₁ few can garner our prosperity,
It makes us walk with renewed ________________₁₂,
We've got a place to go when we die
And the architect resides __________ ₁₃ here

We've got the American Jesus
Bolstering their ________ ₁₄ of faith
We've got the American Jesus
__________________ ₁₅ millions every day

2.Put in the correct order.

1. And the kids with no moms (We win)
2. He's the motive and the conscience of the murderer (He can redeem your sins)
3. He's the farmer barren fields, (In God)
4. He's the fuel that drives the Klan, (Cave in) 
5. He's the nuclear bombs, (You lose)
6. The false sincerity, (Clear mind)
7. He's the preacher on TV, (Strong heart) 
8. The force the army wields, (We trust) 
9. The form letter that's written by the big computer, (And indefinitely kind)
10. The expression in the faces of the starving millions, (Because he's one of us)
11. And I'm fearful that he's inside me (He is our champion)
12. The power of the man. (Break down)
 

1. Fill in the gaps.

We've got the American Jesus
See him on the _____________ ₆
We've got the American Jesus
Exercising his ______________ ₁₆
We've got the American Jesus
Bolstering their ________ ₁₄ of faith
We've got the American Jesus
__________________ ₁₅ millions every day

One nation under God(x10)

3. Questions:

1. What is the name of their label?

_______________________________________________________ 

2. What other band is on the same label?

_______________________________________________________ 

3. What is the name of their last album?

_______________________________________________________ 

4. Who is the American Jesus for you?

________________________________________________________ 

5. Do you think that they are proud of being American? Why? 

________________________________________________________ 

6. Take from the text 2 ironic parts.

________________________________________________________

 7. What does Klan mean?

________________________________________________________

8. Do you agree with the idea of the second verse?

________________________________________________________

9. Make a criticism about the current government.

________________________________________________________

 10. Do you think that the name of the band has something with religion? Why?

________________________________________________________

American Jesus

I don’t need to be a global citizen
Because I’m blessed by nationality
I’m member of a growing populace
We enforce our popularity
There are things that
Seem to pull us under
And there are things
That drag us down
But there’s a power
And a vital presence
Thats lurking all around
We’ve got the american jesus
See him on the interstate
We’ve got the american jesus
He helped build the
President’s estate
I feel sorry
For the earth’s population
’cuz so few
Live in the u.s.a.
At least the foreigners
Can copy our morality
They can visit but they cannot stay
Only precious few
Can garner the prosperity
It makes us walk
With renewed confidence
We’ve got a place to go when we die
And the architect resides right here
We’ve got the american jesus
Overwhelming millions every day
(exercising his authority)
He’s the farmers barren fields
The force the army wields
The expession in the faces
Of the starving children
The power of the man
He’s the fuel that drives the clan
He’s the motive and conscience
Of the murderer
He’s the preacher on t.v.
The false sincerity
The form letter that’s written
By the big computers
He’s the nuclear bombs
And the kids with no moms
And I’m fearful that
He’s inside me

Created by Natalia Yukie 2°B & Paula Tonetto 2°B 2004

You can listen to this song here. It can be used for educational purposes ONLY.
Bear in mind that all the musicians live on the sales of their songs. If you appreciate this song,
buy the CD!!!

© 1995 Epitaph