Well, although it has taken a while to get this latest edition out, it is not without good reason. BR has been busy!   That is why we call it the official OCCAISIONAL newsletter of the band.   It still should come out about four times a year however.

 

Our last leg of the American tour took us to the following cities:

 

Feb. 1995:

 

13: Orlando Fl., the Edge

 

14: Ft. Lauderdale, Fl., the Edge

 

15: St.Petersburg, Fl., Janus Lnd

 

16: Jacksonville, Fl., the Edge

 

17: St. Louis, MO Miss. Nights

 

18: New Orleans, LA, Tipitinas

 

19: Houston, TX, Numbers

 

20: Austin, TX, Liberty Lunch

 

21: Dallas, TX, Deep Ellum Live

 

23: Albuquerque, NM UNM

 

24: Phoenix, AZ Mesa Amphith.

 

25: Las Vegas, NV Huntridge

 

26: Las Vegas, NV Huntridge

 

March 1995

 

04: Osaka Japan, Club Quattro

 

05: Nagoya, Japan, Club Quattro

 

07: Tokyo, Japan, Liquid Room

 

08: Tokyo, Japan, Liquid Room

 

09: Sendai, Japan, Studio Hall

 

10: Tokyo, Japan, On Air West

 

11: Sapporo, Japan, Penny Lane

 

15: Maui, HI, Blue Tropics

 

17: Honolulu, HI, After Dark

 

 

 

     Once again, virtually every show was sold out on the entire tour except for one of them, Sapporo Japan.   This show was added at the last moment as a substitute for the cancelled show in Kobe, Japan, a city that was levelled by a tremendous earthquake one month before our arrival.   We certainly want to send our best wishes to all of our friends and fans in Kobe and we will strive to return as soon as possible.   Hopefully, the city will have a rebuilt venue to play in the near future.

 

     Another show was cancelled on this last leg for which we must apologize.   It was supposed to be February 26th at UC Irvine, California.   We have played at this university venue in the past.   It is a college basketball building in the middle of the campus.   Two weeks before the scheduled show, the University decided that they needed the place for a volleyball match.   So guess who got the place:   A bunch of crazy punk rock fans or the more dignified university sport enthusiasts? Right, the volleyball event went on instead of BR.   Oh well, never mind that only 62 people attended the thing, it was in the name of school spirit!   Luckily all was not lost, because now, 8 weeks later, BR is scheduled to return to the area to play a large skate-, surf-, and snowboarding festival in the same area (details below).

 

WHAT IT IS?

 

     This should give you an idea of what the band is up to in the next few months.   We hope we see you somewhere:

 

May 07:  Board in the Southbay, a festival to be held at Cal.   State Dominguez Hills, the olympic velodrome.   It is a two-day surfing, skating, and snowboarding extravaganza with many companies giving away free stuff, board competitions and demonstrations, and 10 hours of live music every day.   BR closes the event on Sunday evening.

 

June 1995

 

03:  Nuremburg, Germany, Rock Of The Ring Festival.   This is the largest gathering of music fans in germany.   Estimated attendance:  60, 000.

 

04:  Munich, Germany, Rock of the Ring Festival.   The same festival moves to another town.

 

05:   Maastricht, Holland, Pinkpop Festival, this is the largest dutch festival. Estimated attendance:  75,000.

 

07:   Osnabruck, Germany, Halle Gartlage.  A regular concert hall.

 

08:   Kiel, Germany, M.A.X., another hall gig.

 

10:   Seinajoki, Finland, Provinssirock Festival.   The crazy fins are at it again with their largest music fest.   We played this one two years ago also and enjoyed the debauchery.   Estimated attendance: 30,000.

 

11:   Hultsfred, Sweden, Folkets Park, a regular concert hall.

 

12:   Uppsala, Sweden, Fryshov, an open air concert venue.

 

14:   Oslo, Norway, Sentrum, a concert hall.

 

16:   Karlshamn, Sweden, the Rock Festival.   Estimated attendance:  15,000.

 

17:  Arhus, Denmark, Openair Festival.   Estimated attendance:  25,000.

 

      There have been many offers for BR to play in Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and Australia, and it is possible that we will head south to those places near the end of 1995, but as stated earlier, nothing is yet confirmed.

 

RECIPE FOR HATE

 

     Pearl Jam and Bad Religion on the same stage?   The thought makes many people's blood boil.   In fact, it has happened in the past.   Eddie Vedder came on stage at a BR show to sing a verse of "Watch it Die" in Seattle two years ago, and a few Johnny-More-Punk-Than-You BR fans spat on him!   This summer, Eddie will get an allegorical revenge, it looks like it will be our turn to get spat on by their fans.

 

     Bad Religion will be joining Pearl Jam this summer for 13 festival-type outdoor shows.   This tour is not one typical of BR.   In fact, it is the first time that the band has ever played in a support slot for one band on consecutive shows.   However, please be assured that it is not the beginning of a new form of touring for BR.   It is merely a huge summer event that sounds like a lot of fun. After our next album is released, we will be on another one of our own tours playing in the usual size venues.   Furthermore, the tour travels to so many areas where people have never had the opportunity to see BR.   As for the majority of the audience, they probably won't understand our music.   But for those who come to see us, it may be their first chance ever, and for that we are very excited.

 

Here are the dates: 

 

June 1995

 

19: Golden, CO, Red Rocks

 

20: Golden, CO, Red Rocks

 

22: Sacramento, CA, Amphitheater

 

24: Frisco, CA, Golden Gate Park

 

25: Del Mar, CA, Fairgrounds

 

26: Del Mar, CA, Fairgrounds

 

29: Phoenix, AZ, Veterans Coliseum

 

30: Las Cruces, NM, PanAm Center

 

July 1995

 

02: Austin, TX, South Pk.Meadows

 

04: New Orleans, Gormley Stadium

 

08: Milwaukee, WI, Summerfest

 

09: Milwaukee, WI, Summerfest

 

11: Chicago, IL, Soldier Field

 

August 1995....Rest and go to a couple NASCAR events.

 

 

 

NEW ALBUM?

 

     16 songs have been written and recorded in some fashion over the last 12 months, and there may be more to come.   This means that there is indeed another BR album on the horizon.   We will probably begin recording in September and hopefully it will be finished by October 7th.   This would put us on track for a release just after the new year.   It seems like a long time, but actually our average period of time between albums is just over one year and two months.   This new one will be no exception, considering that "Stranger than Fiction" was released in October of 1994.

 

 

 

OLD LYRICS

 

     In our continuing series, we now present lyrics to two of the most popular old songs in the BR repertoire:

 

 

 

Fuck Armageddon...This is Hell (1981)

 

There are people out there that say I'm no good

 

'Cuz I don't believe in things that I should

 

And when the final conflict comes

 

I'l l be so sorry I did wrong and hope and pray that our lord god will think Im good

 

Countries manufacture bombs and guns

 

To kill your brother for something that he hasn't even done

 

Smog is ruining my lungs, but they're not sorry they've done wrong

 

They hide behind their lies that it's helping everyone

 

In the end the good will go to heaven up above

 

The bad shall perish in the depths of hell

 

How could hell be any worse when life alone is such a curse?

 

Fuck Armageddon this is hell

 

We're living in the denouvement of the battle's gripping awe

 

So what is the use of being good to satisfy them all?

 

 

 

Damned to Be Free (1981)

 

Death and the shadow that it casts on life

 

Scares me little or none

 

People tell me of a divine right and a happy chosen one

 

I'm a freak 'cuz my morals clash with others in my world

 

I go home, while they work hard

 

And they say I'm wrong

 

There's only one place to be

 

While living with tragedy

 

If their sins affected me

 

I gotta be damned to be free

 

Freedom is responsibility

 

Pay more than its worth

 

Instincts tell us not to die

 

Hazy myths since birth

 

Learn their rules, play their games

 

Deceive yourself in haste

 

Turn your own brain into dust

 

Its not theirs to waste

 

Thinkin' this world it ain't so bad

 

Dyin' it's just another fad

 

Workin' eight hours its not for me

 

Dyin' it's just your destiny

 

 

 

JOHNNY MORE PUNK THAN YOU!

 

      We always enjoy getting BR fan mail.  Most of it is enjoyable to read.  Some of it is illegible because of poor penmanship.  And a very small percentage of it ends up here, in the JMPTY column.  This is mail from those few unoriginals who stand on a higher moral ground than anyone else who likes punk music.  These are the punkers who think they determine the rules for what constitutes a punk, and what constitutes punk music.  As such they are nothing more than elitist and exclusivist and prejudice (maybe they should start a JMPTY country club).

 

     As is the case this issue, there is not always sufficient negative mail to include an excerpt in the column.   But there is almost always an incident, or editorial, or experience that deserves mention here.   This issue we salute:

 

"Fucktooth" Fanzine from Ohio  for catering to "Johnnys" all over Ohio.

 

     Hopefully, we will be allowed to respond directly in their 'zine to some of the negative allegations about BR signing to major labels.   But if not, we won't lose any sleep.

 

     If you know of any examples that belong in this column, we would love to hear about them.

 

     Remember, you're only as punk as you feel!

 

 

 

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

      This column is necessary because there are certain questions we hear so often, especially when we're on tour, that we get tired of repeating the same answer.  Instead of giving different answers to make life more interesting, we would rather just give one answer, one time, here in this column.   We love to be thought of as an approachable bunch of guys, so don't let this section disuade you to come up and talk with us as much as possible.   It might just make for better conversation however, if you could avoid the questions you see here in this column.   If we are asked these questions in person, don't be surprised if we yawn and say...."read the newsletter".

 

Question:

 

"Brian, How's Ian?

 

Although Brian and Ian were once bandmates in Minor Threat, that was indeed 13 years ago. True they are still friends today but they both lead independent lives and don't monitor each other's activities. Brian simply gets tired of saying:

 

Answer:  "Fine, he's fine"

 

 

 

Question:

 

"How much longer on your Ph.D. Greg?"

 

Every Ph.D. candidate hates to hear this question, whether they are busy 12 hours a day on their research, or merely just travelling the world playing punk rock.   For the past 8 months I haven't been able to do any research on my project at all.   I haven't been able to teach for over a year.   It is all for a good cause though, I've been too busy travelling with BR.   I plan on finishing my Ph.D. one day, but it will be when BR takes at least a one year break.   That's about the time I need.

 

Answer:

 

"12 consecutive months, to finish".

 

 Question:

 

"How can I get Into the Unknown?"

 

     This ill-fated 1983 record probably should not have been released as a BR album.   But it was, and it was masterminded by Mr.Brett and Greg G.   The sound of the record was highly unconventional for the time but releasing it was probably the most unfashionable, and punk act imaginable.   I think five records were sold, and 30 were given away, and the rest sat in boxes in a warehouse that recently burned down.   The master tapes exist in some form but there are no immediate plans to make them available.  But someday the music will probably be released.

 

Answer:

 

"You Can't"

 

 

 

Letters:

 

Here are more excerpts from recent letters we have received.

 

Greg....I am interested in how you get a punkish voice like your's and Fat Mikes. I just can't seem to sing like hardcore/punk singers.

 

Cameron Loughlin, San Mateo, CA

 

     I'm not sure how Fat Mike does it but I was just luckily born with my singing voice.   Probably the most important thing is not to be contrived, every voice is different.   Also, having your tonsils removed might be a key.   Mine were taken out after our first L.P.

 

Are you ever going to respond to any of my questions?

 

Grant Hepburn, Omaha, NE

 

     The good news is yes we will respond to one of your questions. The bad news is that its only this one.

 

.... have this album called "Silencio" and it features Lucky (Lehrer, from the Circle Jerks) playing with Bad Religion....On the back it says "Silencio" at the top and Rom Aula Maguadel Retterato at the bottom.  It also has a picture of some Roman priest in the middle.  I also have a bootleg LP called "All our Yesterdays" which was recorded live 3-31-83 at the Skylight Club, Where is the Skylight Club? What does this mean?

 

Jason Hargrave, Plainfield, IN

 

    When you buy bootlegs, not only is the sound quality usually terrible but the information on the sleeves can be totally fabricated.   We have never heard of any of the place names nor people nor LPs that Jason listed.   However, Lucky did indeed play in BR for about 1 year, so it is possible he appears on the bootleg.   We love hearing about obscure bootlegs, usually the titles are utter nonsense.

 

....well tell Brian that he kicked ass in Dag nasty, he kicked ass in Minor Threat, and I'm sure he'll kick ass in Bad Religion.....Live long and prosper....Star Trek Rules!

 

Jill Muller, Milwaukee

 

Is it better to kick ass or rule?

 

....I am only 16 years old. I fear that someday (4 years) I will have to say I'm from Idaho. I sincerely do not in any way want that. My only route for escape from this little but significant crisis is to go to an out of state college.......

 

Jenny W., Idaho

 

     Actually, no one ever has to admit where they are from.  In this day and age you can fabricate just about anything.   Don't worry about it until you are at least 30.   Once you spend enough time away from Idaho you will realize how great it really is.   Devo legitimized life in spudland, don't let all their hard work go to waste.   Viva Idaho!

 

     We thank all of you who write us.  We try to respond to as many as possible but it is almost a full time job.  That is why we now have e-mail.  Those who have tried it realize that it is much easier to get a direct response promptly.

 

     We also want to stress that all of your comments are meaningful to us.  Many people have found that if they have a comment or criticism it's better to let it be heard so that they can get a meaningful answer.  Be prolific in your letters, but be patient in your expectations for a response.

 

Contact numbers:

 

Manager's office: 

 

Michele Ceazan Fleischli,  Bad Religion, 142 East 35th Street, NY NY 10016

 

Greg Graffin  PO Box 4416  Ithaca, NY 14852

 

e-mail:

 

ggraffin@badreligion.com

 

jayb@badreligion.com

 

gregh@badreligion.com

 

bobbys@badreligion.com

 

brianb@badreligion.com

 

michele@badreligion.com