Category: | Article - Newspaper | Publish date: | 10/28/1993 |
Source: | The Honolulu Advertiser (United States) | With: | Brett Gurewitz, Greg Graffin |
Synopsis: | A short article/interview to promote two shows in Hawaii. |
A new start for 'Religion'
by Gary C.W. Chan
The Honolulu Advertiser, October 1993
"I don't believe in self-important folks who preach
No Bad Religion song can make your life complete
Prepare for rejection
You'll get No Direction from me."
Greg Graffin, who wrote those trenchant words, is lead vocalist of Bad Religion, and shares the level-headed dedication that has paid off for the veteran hard-core band.
They're here from Los Angeles for two weekend concerts at the Garage (formerly Pink's Garage). And you'll find no cases of drug burnout in this band. They've brought their wives and newborn babies for a bit of vacation, and conversation at their Waikiki hotel was fueled with a round of virgin pina coladas.
"This is a renewed beginning for us," bassist Jay Bentley said.
Brett Gurewitz added that "Bad Religion is a culmination of the band members' diverse histories, and we do bring a broad palette of experiences."
After three years on Southern California's burgeoning hardcore punk scene, the original band members took a five-year hiatus, only to get their second wind in '88.
"A lot of the kids who were too young during the years of the original scene are now in their mid-teens," Bentley added. "So when Greg and Brett (Gurewitz) came back to the band, there was still this interest in our early stuff, and I thought it was time to show these teens the kind of music we were capable of doing. So we wrote some new material, and since '88, we've put out a new album every year."
This renewal and the band's hardcore energy and uncommonly articulate lyrics have made them respected favorites on the alternative music scene. And now with the national success of bands like Nirvana, it isn't surprising that Bad Religion is getting a couple of major label suitors.
"Most people are in a bit of a quandary when dealing with us," Gurewitz added. (Both he and Bentley run the band's self-owned and operated Epitaph record label.) "We've always strayed outside the sterotypical, socially acceptable models by pursuing our own directions. Bad Religion's music has always tried to inspire people into accepting their own way of thinking."
Graffin feels that the band is going through a bit of an identity crisis right now. "We consider our fans important to us, but we also want to play the music we like the best without catering to their expectations.
"Besides the ethical problems," Gurewitz said, "can we achieve the true potential of being with a major (label) by being heard by a larger audience and yet keep our music and lyrics meaningful and pointed, critical of the status quo?"
It's a question that will probably be answered on Bad Religion's own terms. Only they know what direction is good for them.