Bad Religion

Bad Religion

Bad Religion is a punk rock band from Los Angeles, United States, active from 1980 to the present. The group is known for lyrics with social and political commentary and is associated with hardcore punk, melodic hardcore, punk, punk rock and skate punk.

Early years and formation

The band forms in 1979 when high school students Greg Graffin, Jay Bentley, Jay Ziskrout and Brett Gurewitz start playing together in Los Angeles. Its early line-up includes Graffin on vocals, Bentley on bass, Ziskrout on drums and Gurewitz on guitar. In 1981, the band releases its self-titled debut EP on Epitaph, the label that Gurewitz founds and runs.

Albums and line-up changes

Bad Religion’s first full-length album, How Could Hell Be Any Worse?, follows in 1982 and brings the band a substantial following. During those sessions, Jay Ziskrout leaves and Peter Finestone replaces him on drums. In 1983 the band releases Into the Unknown, a keyboard-led psychedelic rock album that is rejected by much of its core audience and later goes out of print. It becomes a collector’s item and is often copied unofficially.

In 1984, Greg Hetson replaces Gurewitz. The band then releases Back to the Known, a more restrained rock and roll return to its earlier sound, before disbanding soon afterwards. Bad Religion reforms in 1987 and releases Suffer in 1988, which marks a major comeback. The album is widely regarded as one of the group’s key releases and is often credited by fans and contemporaries with helping revive the Southern California punk scene.

No Control appears in 1989, followed by Against the Grain in 1990 and Generator in 1992. Before Generator is recorded, Pete Finestone leaves to focus on The Fishermen and Bobby Schayer joins on drums. Recipe for Hate follows in 1993. As alternative rock becomes more mainstream, Bad Religion moves from Epitaph to Atlantic and reissues the album on the major label.

Stranger Than Fiction arrives in 1994, after which Gurewitz leaves again. Brian Baker, formerly of Minor Threat and Dag Nasty, replaces him. From that point, Greg Graffin becomes the sole songwriter. The band then releases The Gray Race in 1996, No Substance in 1998 and The New America in 2000. In 2001, it leaves Atlantic and returns to Epitaph.

Later activity

Following Bobby Schayer’s departure after a shoulder injury, Brooks Wackerman joins on drums. Gurewitz returns in time for The Process of Belief in 2002. The Empire Strikes First follows in 2004, and both records are described as a return to form. Later releases include New Maps of Hell and The Dissent of Man. In 2010, the band issues 30 Years Live for its 30th anniversary.

Bad Religion also reissues five early albums in digitally remastered form: How Could Hell Be Any Worse?, Suffer, No Control, Against the Grain and Generator. The How Could Hell Be Any Worse? reissue also includes the band’s first EP, the Public Service EP and Back to the Known.

Members and related activity

People associated with the band include Jay Ziskrout, Jay Bentley, Brett Gurewitz, Greg Graffin, Pete Finestone, Paul Dedona, Davy Goldman, Tim Gallegos, Greg Hetson, John Albert, Lucky Lehrer, Bobby Schayer, Brian Baker and Brooks Wackerman. Gurewitz continues to run Epitaph and records with the band for local shows, though he does not tour with them. Hetson also continues with the Circle Jerks and helps open a bar in Los Angeles. Wackerman works on a side project called The Kidneys. Graffin also teaches two classes at UCLA.