Bad Religion

Bad Religion is an American punk rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1980. Known for their thought-provoking lyrics that address issues like religion, politics, society, and science, the band combines melodic sensibilities with three-part vocal harmonies. The group has experienced numerous lineup changes, but lead vocalist Greg Graffin has remained the only constant member. Founding members Jay Bentley and Brett Gurewitz have also played significant roles throughout the band’s history, while guitarist Brian Baker joined in 1994. As of 2023, the band consists of Graffin, Bentley, Baker, guitarist Mike Dimkich, and drummer Jamie Miller.

Over the years, Bad Religion has released 17 studio albums, with over five million albums sold worldwide. The band is regarded as one of the best-selling punk rock acts of all time. They gained critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase with their early releases on Gurewitz’s label, Epitaph Records. The band found mainstream success after signing with Atlantic Records in 1993 and continued to influence punk rock through the 1990s, inspiring bands such as Green Day, NOFX, Rancid, and The Offspring.

History

Formation and Early Years (1980–1983)

Bad Religion was formed by high school students Greg Graffin, Jay Bentley, Jay Ziskrout, and Brett Gurewitz in 1980. The band’s name was intentionally provocative, aiming to “piss people off,” according to Graffin. In 1981, the group released their self-titled debut EP through Gurewitz’s newly founded Epitaph Records. The band’s first full-length album, How Could Hell Be Any Worse?, followed in 1982 and sold around 12,000 copies.

Breakup and Reunion (1983–1992)

The band experimented with a keyboard-driven sound on 1983’s Into the Unknown, which was not well received and led to a brief breakup. They reformed in 1986 with Greg Hetson replacing Gurewitz on guitar. The reunion lineup recorded the seminal punk album Suffer in 1988, widely regarded as one of their best works. They followed up with No Control (1989) and Against the Grain (1990), which helped establish their prominence in the punk scene.

Mainstream Success (1993–1995)

Bad Religion signed with Atlantic Records in 1993 and released Recipe for Hate, which brought them mainstream recognition. The album was followed by the successful Stranger Than Fiction in 1994, featuring hits like “Infected” and a re-recording of “21st Century (Digital Boy).” The album went gold in the United States and Canada, but Gurewitz left the band soon after to focus on Epitaph Records.

Post-Gurewitz Era and Atlantic Departure (1996–2000)

With Gurewitz gone, guitarist Brian Baker (formerly of Minor Threat) joined the band, and Bad Religion continued to release albums under Atlantic, including The Gray Race (1996) and No Substance (1998). In 2000, they released The New America, their final album for Atlantic, produced by Todd Rundgren.

Return to Epitaph and Resurgence (2001–2012)

In 2001, Gurewitz rejoined the band as they returned to Epitaph and released The Process of Belief. This album marked a resurgence for Bad Religion, and they followed up with The Empire Strikes First (2004) and New Maps of Hell (2007). Both albums were well-received, and New Maps of Hell reached number 35 on the Billboard 200.

Recent Years (2013–Present)

The band’s 16th studio album, True North (2013), became their first to crack the top 20 of the Billboard 200, peaking at number 18. Their most recent album, Age of Unreason, was released in 2019. It features politically charged lyrics criticizing the rise of authoritarianism and populism in the United States.

Musical Style and Influences

Bad Religion is known for its melodic hardcore and punk rock sound, characterized by sophisticated lyrics, complex vocabulary, and three-part vocal harmonies. Their early influences include punk bands like The Ramones and Sex Pistols, as well as proto-punk acts such as The Stooges and MC5. Their positive yet critical approach to punk rock has inspired countless bands and artists, including Rise Against, NOFX, and AFI.

Band Members

Current Members

• Greg Graffin – lead vocals (1980–present)
• Brett Gurewitz – guitar (1980–1983, 1988–1994, 2001–present)
• Jay Bentley – bass (1980–1982, 1986–present)
• Brian Baker – guitar (1994–present)
• Mike Dimkich – guitar (2013–present)
• Jamie Miller – drums (2016–present)

Discography

• How Could Hell Be Any Worse? (1982)
• Into the Unknown (1983)
• Suffer (1988)
• No Control (1989)
• Against the Grain (1990)
• Generator (1992)
• Recipe for Hate (1993)
• Stranger Than Fiction (1994)
• The Gray Race (1996)
• No Substance (1998)
• The New America (2000)
• The Process of Belief (2002)
• The Empire Strikes First (2004)
• New Maps of Hell (2007)
• The Dissent of Man (2010)
• True North (2013)
• Age of Unreason (2019)