Bad Religion: 12 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know

Bad Religion is one of my favourite punk rock bands. The band has been around for almost 40 years. There’s probably a ton that you didn’t know about them. I went digging on the Interwebs and compiled this article…

Here are 12 Interesting Facts you might not have known about Bad Religion

1. Bad Religion was formed in 1980

The band was formed in Los Angeles, California by high school friends Greg Graffin, Jay Bentley, Jay Ziskrout, and Brett Gurewitz. The current members of the band are Greg Graffin, Brett Gurewitz, Jay Bentley, Brian Baker, Mike Dimkich and Jamie Miller.

2. Epitath Records was founded by Brett Gurewitz

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, most acts signed to the label were punk and pop punk acts. There are many post-hardcore and emo bands signed to the label as well. A large portion of the record label, known as Hellcat Records, is owned by Tim Armstrong, frontman of the punk rock band Rancid.

3. Bad Religion have released 17 studio albums since 1982

Their first album (How Could Hell Be Any Worse?) was released via Epitath records. Their most recent album (The Age Of Unreason) was released in May 2019.

4. Bad Religion’s logo has been referred to by fans as the “Crossbuster”

It features a black Christian cross with a red prohibition sign over it. It was created by guitarist Brett Gurewitz by drawing it on a piece of paper and showing it to the rest of the band.

According to Brian Baker: “The name Bad Religion and the crossbuster logo came to pass in the minds of two fifteen-year-olds who were trying to find the most offensive name and image they could possibly find for the punk band they were starting in their garage … These are not people who thought that 21 years later they would be on the telephone doing interviews.”

5. Bad Religion members do not consider themselves as anti-religion

The band prefers to use religion as a metaphor for anything that does not 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.

6. The band’s second album was a full-blown, keyboard-driven prog-rock record

Singer Greg Graffin got his hands on a Roland Juno-6 keyboard. The keyboard ended up being a prevalent element on 1983’s Into the Unknown. The album was a commercial flop and was only re-issued in 2010 (when the band turned 30 years old).

7. Until the release of Suffer in 1988, the band rarely toured outside of California

Bentley and drummer Pete Finestone were eager to tour, but guitarist Brett Gurewitz and Graffin weren’t. Complicating matters, Graffin spent his summers back in Wisconsin with his father. This effectively put the band on hiatus for two months in a year.

8. Pearl Jam‘s Eddie Vedder sings back-up vocals on Recipe for Hate

Vedder sang back-up vocals on “American Jesus” and “Watch It Die.” He used to live in San Diego and went to Bad Religion’s shows.

9. Greg Graffin is an established author and professor in evolutionary science

To date he’s published 7 books. Gaffin obtained his PhD in the history of science at Cornell University and has lectured courses in natural sciences at both the University of California, Los Angeles and at Cornell University. Beside this, he’s also released 3 solo albums.

10. Brooks Wackerman now plays drums for Avenged Sevenfold

Wackerman was the drummer for Bad Religion from 2001 to 2015. He also played drums for Tenacious D from 2006 to 2015. Wackerman joined Avenged Sevenfold in 2015.

11. Bad Religion’s track “21st Century (Digital Boy)” is a song that critiques modern society

The song was released in 1990 and particularly focuses on the impact of technology, consumerism, and media on younger generations. The lyrics suggest that the “digital boy” has been raised in an era dominated by screens and superficial values, leading to a sense of disillusionment and detachment from reality.

The song expresses concerns about the loss of individuality, critical thinking, and meaningful connections in a world increasingly influenced by digital media. It also touches on themes of apathy and the dangers of a consumer-driven society where people are more concerned with material possessions and appearances than with deeper, more substantial issues.

12.  Their track “Let Them Eat War” addresses issues of economic inequality, war, and the exploitation of the working class by political and corporate powers

“Let Them Eat War” is a play on the famous phrase “Let them eat cake,” attributed (likely inaccurately) to Marie Antoinette during the French Revolution, symbolizing the disconnect between the ruling elite and the struggles of the common people. In the song, Bad Religion criticizes how those in power use war and fear as distractions to keep people divided and to maintain their control.

The lyrics suggest that war is often used as a tool by the wealthy and powerful to exploit the poor and working class, keeping them focused on external enemies rather than the systemic issues at home. The song highlights the manipulation of the public through media and propaganda, and the way economic hardships are exacerbated by war, benefiting those in power while ordinary people suffer.

Well, there you have it 12 Facts You Might Not Have Known About Bad Religion. I trust that you found this information useful. If you have something to add to this list, please leave a comment below.

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