BAD RELIGION
This US hardcore band was formed in 1980 in the suburbs of north
Los Angeles, California. Their first incarnation comprised Greg
Graffin (vocals), Brett Gurewitz (guitar), Jay Lishrout (drums)
and Jay Bentley (bass), with the name originating from their mutual
distaste for organized religion. Their debut release was the poorly
produced EP Bad Religion, on Epitaph Records, formed by founder
member Gurewitz. Following several appearances on local compilation
albums, Pete Finestone took over as drummer in 1982. The milestone
album How Could Hell Be Any Worse? was recorded in Hollywood,
creating a fair degree of local and national interest. The subsequent
Into The Unknown proved a minor disaster, disillusioning hardcore
fans with the emphasis shifted to slick keyboard textures, though
the record itself stands up well. In 1984 there were more changes
and Graffin was soon the only surviving member from the previous
year, with Greg Hetson and Tim Gallegos taking over guitar and
bass, and Pete Finestone returning on drums, while Gurewitz took
time out to conquer his drink and drug problems.A comeback EP,
Back To The Known, revealed a much more purposeful outfit. A long
period of inactivity was ended in 1987 when Gurewitz rejoined
for a show that Hetson (working with former band Circle Jerks
once more) could not attend. New material was written, and Suffer
was released in 1988 to wide critical acclaim. The band's subsequent
releases featured intelligent lyrics set against their compelling
punk sound. In 1993, they signed to Atlantic Records, making their
major-label debut with the following year's Stranger Than Fiction.
Despite this, Gurewitz retired in 1994 to spend more time looking
after the Epitaph label, which was enjoying success with Offspring
and others. The Gray Race, recorded by a line-up comprising Graffin,
Hetson, Bentley, Brian Baker (guitar), and Bobby Schayer (drums),
was an assured release that addressed famine, world disorder and
politics. Tested collected powerful live performances from The
Gray Race tour, but 1998's No Substance indicated a band struggling
for new ideas. Former member Gurewitz made a guest appearance
on the Todd Rundgren-produced follow-up, The New America, their
final album for Atlantic. The band returned to Epitaph and welcomed
back Gurewitz as a full-time member on 2002's The Process Of Belief.
DISCOGRAFIA - ALBUMS
The Process Of Belief *
(Epitaph Records)
The New America
(Atlantic)
No Substance
(Atlantic)
The Gray Race
(Atlantic)
All Ages
(Epitaph Records)
Stranger Than Fiction
(Atlantic)
Recipe For Hate
(Atlantic)
Generator
(Epitaph Records)
Against The Grain
(Epitaph Records)
No Control
(Epitaph Records)
Suffer
(Epitaph Records)
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