Okay there is one freakin' fuckin' astonishing band, which impressed me once again!
BAD RELIGION!
I really really really really hate Greg Graffin and Brett Gurewitz for being so gifted! They write interesting lyrics consisting of allusions, metaphories and critical messages. and it's not only their texts, what is makin me so crazy about this band. Greg Graffin has this really interesting voice. It is between two poles: screaming and singing. On the one hand Graffin's voice sounds so hoarse and on the other hand it is so harmonic and even kinda touching. Really hard to describe but I'm sure, that you will know what I mean, if you listen to any Bad Religion song.
Bad Religion is one of the oldest punkbands. In 1979/80 the band was founded in California by Greg Graffin, Brett Gurewitz, Jay Bentley and Jay Ziskrout. In an interview in 2001 Graffin said, that the band had four rebirthes. There were some struggles and apart from that Gurewitz suffered a drug addiction. So they went through hard times but they found together – repeatedly.
What I didn't know is, that Mr. Gurewitz is the founder of „Epitaph Records“. It is my favourite punk/ skate punk/ hardcore label being responsible for bands like Social Distortion, The Offspring, The Distillers, Falling In Reverse, Pennywise, Rancid and and and. I love those bands so much and for me Epitaph made it to a really important record label. When I found out, that it was founded in 1981 by Gurewitz, I was like – what the fuck? He isn't only songwriter and guitarist of Bad Religion, he's also founder and owner of this label.
And now we come to Greg Graffin. What an outstanding person! When he's not singing on stages or in studio or wherever he sings, he is professor at university.
Okay, now just imagine please, that there stands the singer of one of the most important punkbands in front of you teaching you all about evolution. ....
- What the fuck? -
I'm not sure, if I could concentrate on his studies (well, they're interesting, no question!) knowing that my professor is one of my favourite musicians playing on huge festivals. You got the point?
Maybe I'm just a bit the groupie in this play. Whatever.
He even got the Rushdie Award from Harvard University. Like Mike Ness of Social Distortion Greg Graffin and his band really got me and still inspire me.
I could tell you so much more stories about Bad Religion and the six band members but instead to do that, I rather show you my favourite Bad Religion songs both of the latest and older records.
Classic is the following song called "American Jesus". For me it is THE punkrock hymn!
The music video of "Sorrow" gave me the perfect imagination of Bad Religion as band, who is telling with it's lyrics to all people on earth. It is a great and moving song to me.
"Infected" is another great song by Bad Religion
I listened to this song more than hundred times. It is perfect! Bad Religion together with Die Toten Hosen.
Last but not least from their new album the great song "popular consensus". The message is so good and true. I really enjoy the singalongs on this album. Great record! By the way it is their 16th studio album.
I'm so sad, that I won't see them live this year. But at least I got their new album. ;)