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Our Complete List Of Bad Religion Albums And Discography presents a band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1980 by Greg Graffin (vocals), Jay Bentley (bass), Jay Ziskrout (drums), and Brett Gurewitz (guitar). The band started by performing in local venues and quickly gained a following in the burgeoning punk rock scene. In 1981, they released their first self-titled EP, “Bad Religion,” which was followed by their debut studio album “How Could Hell Be Any Worse?” in 1982. The album was financed by a loan from Brett Gurewitz’s father.
Middle Years and Growing Popularity (1984-1993)
The band’s second album, “Into the Unknown,” released in 1983, was a departure from their punk roots, incorporating a progressive rock sound that wasn’t well-received. This was followed by a hiatus, during which Graffin attended college. They returned to their punk roots with their third album, “Suffer,” in 1988. The album is considered a cornerstone in the development of skatepunk and melodic hardcore.
Brett Gurewitz left the band in 1994 due to his struggles with drug addiction and to focus on his record label, Epitaph Records. He was replaced by Brian Baker, a founding member of the punk band Minor Threat.
Mainstream Success (1994-2000)
1994’s “Stranger Than Fiction” marked the band’s first release on a major label, Atlantic Records. The album went gold, and its singles, “21st Century (Digital Boy)” and “Infected,” received significant airplay. Brett Gurewitz returned to the band in 2001, and they continued to release albums that mixed punk energy with melodic hooks and intellectual lyrics.
Later Years and Current Status (2001-Present)
The band continued to tour and release new albums into the 2000s. Their 2019 release, “Age of Unreason,” reflects on the volatile social and political climate, particularly in the United States. Over the years, Bad Religion has undergone multiple lineup changes but has maintained a consistently high level of output both in the studio and on stage.
BAD RELIGION STUDIO ALBUMS
How Could Hell Be Any Worse?
Released 1982
“How Could Hell Be Any Worse?” is the debut studio album by American punk rock band Bad Religion, released in 1982. The album was a critical hit in the Southern California punk scene. It introduced listeners to the band’s blend of intellectual lyrics and fast, melodic punk.
The album featured Greg Graffin on vocals, Brett Gurewitz and Greg Hetson on guitars, Jay Bentley on bass, and Pete Finestone on drums. The album was produced by Bad Religion. It was released on Epitaph Records, which was co-founded by Gurewitz. The album was recorded at Track Record Studios, North Hollywood, California between November and December 1981.
CD Track Listings:
- “We’re Only Gonna Die” – 2:12
- “Latch Key Kids” – 1:42
- “Part III” – 1:48
- “Faith in God” – 1:51
- “F*ck Armageddon… This Is Hell” – 2:55
- “Pity” – 2:03
- “In the Night” – 3:25
- “Damned to Be Free” – 1:59
- “White Trash (2nd Generation)” – 2:24
- “American Dream” – 1:42
- “Eat Your Dog” – 1:22
- “Voice of God Is Government” – 2:54
- “Oligarchy” – 1:01
- “Doing Time” – 0:39
Into the Unknown
Released 1983
“Into the Unknown” is the second studio album by Bad Religion, released in 1983. The album saw the band experiment with a more progressive rock sound and was a departure from their punk roots. It was poorly received by fans at the time and remains one of the least popular albums in their discography.
The album was recorded with Greg Graffin on vocals and keyboards, Brett Gurewitz on guitars and keyboards, Jay Bentley on bass, and Pete Finestone on drums. The album was produced by Greg Graffin and Brett Gurewitz. It was released on Epitaph Records. The album was recorded at Perspective Sound, Sun Valley, California in 1983.
CD Track Listings:
- “It’s Only Over When…” – 2:53
- “Chasing the Wild Goose” – 2:50
- “Billy Gnosis” – 3:58
- “Time and Disregard” – 7:01
- “The Dichotomy” – 5:31
- “Million Days” – 3:55
- “Losing Generation” – 3:37
- “…You Give Up” – 9:01
Suffer
Released 1988
“Suffer” is Bad Religion’s third studio album, released in 1988. The album is widely considered to be a landmark in punk rock, influencing many bands and revitalizing the American punk scene.
The album featured Greg Graffin on vocals, Brett Gurewitz and Greg Hetson on guitars, Jay Bentley on bass, and Pete Finestone on drums. The album was produced by Bad Religion and was released on Epitaph Records. The album was recorded at Westbeach Recorders, Hollywood, California between April and May 1988.
CD Track Listings:
- “You Are (The Government)” – 1:21
- “1000 More Fools” – 1:35
- “How Much Is Enough?” – 1:22
- “When?” – 1:39
- “Give You Nothing” – 2:02
- “Land of Competition” – 2:04
- “Forbidden Beat” – 1:56
- “Best for You” – 1:55
- “Suffer” – 1:47
- “Delirium of Disorder” – 1:39
- “Part II (The Numbers Game)” – 1:41
- “What Can You Do?” – 2:44
- “Do What You Want” – 1:06
- “Part IV (The Index Fossil)” – 2:04
- “Pessimistic Lines” – 1:07
No Control
“No Control” is the fourth studio album by Bad Religion, released in 1989. It is one of the band’s most popular albums, and songs from this album are frequently performed in concerts even today.
The album featured Greg Graffin on vocals, Brett Gurewitz and Greg Hetson on guitars, Jay Bentley on bass, and Pete Finestone on drums. The album was produced by Bad Religion. It was released on Epitaph Records. The album was recorded at Westbeach Recorders, Hollywood, California in June 1989.
CD Track Listings:
- “Change of Ideas” – 0:55
- “Big Bang” – 1:42
- “No Control” – 1:46
- “Sometimes I Feel Like” – 1:34
- “Automatic Man” – 1:39
- “I Want to Conquer the World” – 2:17
- “Sanity” – 2:44
- “Henchman” – 1:07
- “It Must Look Pretty Appealing” – 2:23
- “You” – 2:04
- “Progress” – 2:14
- “I Want Something More” – 0:47
- “Anxiety” – 2:08
- “Billy” – 1:54
- “The World Won’t Stop” – 1:57
Against the Grain
Released 1990
“Against the Grain” is the fifth studio album by Bad Religion, and it marked a high point in the band’s career when it came to combining intellectual, provocative lyrics with fast-paced punk rock. This album cemented Bad Religion’s reputation as one of the most important punk bands in the United States.
The album featured Greg Graffin on vocals, Brett Gurewitz and Greg Hetson on guitars, Jay Bentley on bass, and Pete Finestone on drums. It was produced by Bad Religion and was released on Epitaph Records. The album was recorded at Westbeach Recorders, Hollywood, California in May 1990.
CD Track Listings:
- “Modern Man” – 1:52
- “Turn on the Light” – 1:23
- “Get Off” – 1:42
- “Blenderhead” – 1:10
- “The Positive Aspect of Negative Thinking” – 0:57
- “Anesthesia” – 3:04
- “Flat Earth Society” – 2:21
- “Faith Alone” – 3:34
- “Entropy” – 2:23
- “Against the Grain” – 2:07
- “Operation Rescue” – 2:06
- “God Song” – 1:37
- “21st Century (Digital Boy)” – 2:47
- “Misery and Famine” – 2:32
- “Unacceptable” – 1:43
- “Quality or Quantity” – 1:33
- “Walk Away” – 1:50
Generator
Released 1992
“Generator” continued the band’s journey into a more melodic and technically proficient style of punk rock. It retained the fast tempos and socially aware lyrics but added more complex arrangements.
The album featured Greg Graffin on vocals, Brett Gurewitz and Greg Hetson on guitars, Jay Bentley on bass, and Bobby Schayer on drums. The album was produced by Bad Religion and was released on Epitaph Records. The album was recorded at Westbeach Recorders, Hollywood, California in October 1991.
CD Track Listings:
- “Generator” – 3:21
- “Too Much to Ask” – 2:45
- “No Direction” – 3:14
- “Tomorrow” – 1:56
- “Two Babies in the Dark” – 2:25
- “Heaven Is Falling” – 2:04
- “Atomic Garden” – 3:10
- “The Answer” – 3:21
- “Fertile Crescent” – 2:08
- “Chimaera” – 2:28
- “Only Entertainment” – 3:10
Recipe for Hate
Released 1993
“Recipe for Hate” became Bad Religion’s most successful album at that time, charting in the U.S. The album was more melodic than their previous work but maintained their lyrical intensity.
The album featured Greg Graffin on vocals, Brett Gurewitz and Greg Hetson on guitars, Jay Bentley on bass, and Bobby Schayer on drums. The album was produced by Bad Religion and was released on Epitaph Records. The album was recorded at Westbeach Recorders, Hollywood, California in March and April 1993.
CD Track Listings:
- “Recipe for Hate” – 2:02
- “Kerosene” – 2:41
- “American Jesus” – 3:17
- “Portrait of Authority” – 2:44
- “Man With a Mission” – 3:11
- “All Good Soldiers” – 3:07
- “Watch It Die” – 2:34
- “Struck a Nerve” – 3:47
- “My Poor Friend Me” – 2:42
- “Lookin’ In” – 2:03
- “Don’t Pray on Me” – 2:42
- “Modern Day Catastrophists” – 2:45
- “Skyscraper” – 3:15
- “Stealth” – 0:42
Stranger than Fiction
Released 1994
“Stranger than Fiction” is considered one of Bad Religion’s most iconic albums, featuring some of their most popular songs. It was the first album released after Brett Gurewitz left the band, and it debuted on several international charts.
The album featured Greg Graffin on vocals, Brian Baker and Greg Hetson on guitars, Jay Bentley on bass, and Bobby Schayer on drums. The album was produced by Andy Wallace and was released on Atlantic Records. The album was recorded at Rumbo Recorders, Canoga Park, California in April and May 1994.
CD Track Listings:
- “Incomplete” – 2:28
- “Leave Mine to Me” – 2:07
- “Stranger Than Fiction” – 2:20
- “Tiny Voices” – 2:36
- “The Handshake” – 2:50
- “Better Off Dead” – 2:39
- “Infected” – 4:08
- “Television” – 2:03
- “Individual” – 3:00
- “Hooray for Me…” – 2:50
- “Slumber” – 2:39
- “Marked” – 1:48
- “Inner Logic” – 2:58
- “What It Is” – 2:08
- “21st Century (Digital Boy)” – 2:47
The Gray Race
Released 1996
“The Gray Race” was the ninth studio album by Bad Religion. It was the first album that featured new guitarist Brian Baker, who replaced co-founder Brett Gurewitz. The album is considered a return to their roots, featuring the high-speed punk rock the band was known for.
The album featured Greg Graffin on vocals, Brian Baker and Greg Hetson on guitars, Jay Bentley on bass, and Bobby Schayer on drums. The album was produced by Ric Ocasek and was released on Atlantic Records. The album was recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York City in September and October 1995.
CD Track Listings:
- “The Gray Race” – 2:06
- “Them and Us” – 2:50
- “A Walk” – 2:14
- “Parallel” – 3:20
- “Punk Rock Song” – 2:27
- “Empty Causes” – 2:51
- “Nobody Listens” – 1:57
- “Pity the Dead” – 2:56
- “Spirit Shine” – 2:11
- “The Streets of America” – 3:48
- “Ten in 2010” – 2:22
- “Victory” – 2:30
- “Drunk Sincerity” – 2:13
- “Come Join Us” – 2:03
- “Cease” – 2:35
No Substance
“No Substance” was met with mixed reviews but demonstrated a continuation of the band’s move toward a more mainstream, melodic punk sound. It was their second album for Atlantic Records and is often considered one of the band’s more experimental albums.
The album featured Greg Graffin on vocals, Brian Baker and Greg Hetson on guitars, Jay Bentley on bass, and Bobby Schayer on drums. The album was produced by Alex Perialas and was released on Atlantic Records. The album was recorded at Sound City in Van Nuys, California, in September 1997.
CD Track Listings:
- “Hear It” – 1:49
- “Shades of Truth” – 4:01
- “All Fantastic Images” – 2:09
- “The Biggest Killer in American History” – 2:14
- “No Substance” – 3:04
- “Raise Your Voice!” – 2:55
- “Sowing the Seeds of Utopia” – 2:01
- “The Hippy Killers” – 2:55
- “The State of the End of the Millennium Address” – 2:22
- “The Voracious March of Godliness” – 2:27
- “Mediocre Minds” – 1:42
- “Victims of the Revolution” – 3:17
- “Strange Denial” – 3:02
- “At the Mercy of Imbeciles” – 1:35
- “The Same Person” – 2:49
- “In So Many Ways” – 3:04
The New America
“The New America” was a polarizing album among fans, with some enjoying the more polished, melodic aspects and others missing the raw energy of their earlier work. The album features a cover of “Don’t Sell Me Short,” featuring the band’s original guitarist, Brett Gurewitz.
The album featured Greg Graffin on vocals, Brian Baker and Greg Hetson on guitars, Jay Bentley on bass, and Bobby Schayer on drums. The album was produced by Todd Rundgren and was released on Atlantic Records. The album was recorded at Kauai Music in Princeville, Hawaii, in late 1999.
CD Track Listings:
- “You’ve Got a Chance” – 3:39
- “It’s a Long Way to the Promise Land” – 2:29
- “A World Without Melody” – 2:31
- “New America” – 3:04
- “1000 Memories” – 3:02
- “A Streetkid Named Desire” – 3:16
- “Whisper in Time” – 2:32
- “Believe It” – 3:42
- “I Love My Computer” – 3:06
- “The Hopeless Housewife” – 2:58
- “There Will Be a Way” – 2:52
- “Let It Burn” – 2:43
- “Don’t Sell Me Short” – 2:47
The Process of Belief
Released 2002
“The Process of Belief” marked the return of Brett Gurewitz and was a return to form for the band, being highly praised by fans and critics alike. The album showed a rejuvenated band that had managed to modernize its sound without losing its punk roots.
The album featured Greg Graffin on vocals, Brett Gurewitz and Greg Hetson on guitars, Jay Bentley on bass, and Brooks Wackerman on drums. The album was produced by Brett Gurewitz and Greg Graffin and was released on Epitaph Records. The album was recorded at Sound City in Van Nuys, California, and Westbeach Recorders in Hollywood, California, in mid-2001.
CD Track Listings:
- “Supersonic” – 1:46
- “Prove It” – 1:15
- “Can’t Stop It” – 1:10
- “Broken” – 2:52
- “Destined for Nothing” – 2:35
- “Materialist” – 1:53
- “Kyoto Now!” – 3:19
- “Sorrow” – 3:20
- “Epiphany” – 4:00
- “Evangeline” – 2:10
- “The Defense” – 3:53
- “The Lie” – 2:23
- “You Don’t Belong” – 3:04
- “Bored and Extremely Dangerous” – 3:27
The Empire Strikes First
Released 2004
“The Empire Strikes First” came out during a time of political unrest, particularly in the United States. It showcased the band’s opposition to the George W. Bush administration. The album is filled with political commentary and critique, delivered through Bad Religion’s signature punk sound.
The album featured Greg Graffin on vocals, Brett Gurewitz and Greg Hetson on guitars, Jay Bentley on bass, and Brooks Wackerman on drums. The album was produced by Brett Gurewitz and was released on Epitaph Records. It was recorded at Grandmaster Recorders in Hollywood, California, in late 2003 and early 2004.
CD Track Listings:
- “Overture” – 1:09
- “Sinister Rouge” – 1:53
- “Social Suicide” – 1:35
- “Atheist Peace” – 1:57
- “All There Is” – 2:39
- “Los Angeles Is Burning” – 3:23
- “Let Them Eat War” – 2:57
- “God’s Love” – 2:32
- “To Another Abyss” – 4:07
- “The Quickening” – 2:18
- “The Empire Strikes First” – 3:22
- “Beyond Electric Dreams” – 4:02
- “Boot Stamping on a Human Face Forever” – 3:49
- “Live Again (The Fall of Man)” – 3:36
New Maps of Hell
Released 2007
“New Maps of Hell” demonstrated a maturation in the band’s sound, incorporating more complex rhythms and lyrics. While retaining its punk roots, the album explores themes ranging from personal struggles to social commentary.
The album featured Greg Graffin on vocals, Brett Gurewitz and Greg Hetson on guitars, Jay Bentley on bass, and Brooks Wackerman on drums. The album was produced by Joe Barresi and was released on Epitaph Records. It was recorded at Ocean Studios in Burbank, California, in early 2007.
CD Track Listings:
- “52 Seconds” – 0:58
- “Heroes & Martyrs” – 2:25
- “Germs of Perfection” – 1:27
- “New Dark Ages” – 2:47
- “Requiem for Dissent” – 2:08
- “Before You Die” – 2:34
- “Honest Goodbye” – 2:51
- “Dearly Beloved” – 2:19
- “Grains of Wrath” – 3:00
- “Murder” – 1:18
- “Scrutiny” – 2:36
- “Prodigal Son” – 3:07
- “The Grand Delusion” – 2:10
- “Lost Pilgrim” – 2:27
- “Submission Complete” – 3:40
- “Fields of Mars” – 3:39
The Dissent of Man
Released 2010
This album marked the 30th anniversary of the band. It showcased a more diverse range of songs, incorporating rock, pop, and even some elements of country into their punk sound. Themes in the album ranged from love and relationships to religious skepticism and social unrest.
The album featured Greg Graffin on vocals, Brett Gurewitz and Greg Hetson on guitars, Jay Bentley on bass, and Brooks Wackerman on drums. The album was produced by Joe Barresi and was released on Epitaph Records. It was recorded at Joe’s House of Compression, Pasadena, California, in early 2010.
CD Track Listings:
- “The Day That the Earth Stalled” – 1:23
- “Only Rain” – 2:43
- “The Resist Stance” – 2:32
- “Won’t Somebody” – 2:42
- “The Devil in Stitches” – 3:28
- “Pride and the Pallor” – 2:56
- “Wrong Way Kids” – 2:43
- “Meeting of the Minds” – 2:52
- “Avalon” – 3:28
- “Cyanide” – 3:54
- “Turn Your Back on Me” – 2:24
- “Ad Hominem” – 3:27
- “Where the Fun Is” – 3:04
- “I Won’t Say Anything” – 3:22
True North
Released 2013
“True North” received high praise for returning to the band’s hardcore punk roots. Themes of the album touch upon personal empowerment, individualism, and the flaws in the system, all discussed with the backdrop of powerful riffs and drumming.
The album featured Greg Graffin on vocals, Brett Gurewitz and Greg Hetson on guitars, Jay Bentley on bass, and Brooks Wackerman on drums. The album was produced by Brett Gurewitz and was released on Epitaph Records. It was recorded at Joe’s House of Compression, Pasadena, California, in mid-2012.
CD Track Listings:
- “True North” – 1:56
- “Past Is Dead” – 2:39
- “Robin Hood in Reverse” – 2:53
- “Land of Endless Greed” – 1:53
- “F*ck You” – 2:14
- “Dharma and the Bomb” – 2:00
- “Hello Cruel World” – 3:50
- “Vanity” – 1:02
- “In Their Hearts Is Right” – 1:59
- “Crisis Time” – 2:39
- “Dept. of False Hope” – 2:40
- “Nothing to Dismay” – 2:07
- “Popular Consensus” – 1:53
- “My Head Is Full of Ghosts” – 1:46
- “The Island” – 2:23
- “Changing Tide” – 2:23
Age of Unreason
Released 2019
This album reflects on the volatile social climate at the time, particularly in the United States. It includes commentary on American politics, systemic inequality, and the general discord that seemed to pervade society.
The album featured Greg Graffin on vocals, Brett Gurewitz and Brian Baker on guitars, Mike Dimkich replacing Greg Hetson, Jay Bentley on bass, and Jamie Miller on drums replacing Brooks Wackerman. The album was produced by Carlos de la Garza and was released on Epitaph Records. It was recorded in various studios around Los Angeles in 2018 and early 2019.
CD Track Listings:
- “Chaos From Within” – 1:50
- “My Sanity” – 2:57
- “Do the Paranoid Style” – 1:45
- “The Approach” – 2:25
- “Lose Your Head” – 2:50
- “End of History” – 2:47
- “Age of Unreason” – 2:40
- “Candidate” – 2:45
- “Faces of Grief” – 1:04
- “Old Regime” – 2:42
- “Big Black Dog” – 2:06
- “Downfall” – 2:36
- “Since Now” – 1:43
- “What Tomorrow Brings” – 3:09
- “The Profane Rights of Man” (bonus track) – 2:07
BAD RELIGION LIVE ALBUMS
Tested
Released 1997
“Tested” is a live album by Bad Religion that was recorded during the “No Substance” tour. It offers live performances of classic songs from the band’s catalog. The album featured Greg Graffin on vocals, Brian Baker and Greg Hetson on guitars, Jay Bentley on bass, and Bobby Schayer on drums. The album was released on Dragnet Records.
CD Track Listings:
- “Operation Rescue”
- “Punk Rock Song”
- “Tomorrow”
- “A Walk”
- “God Song”
- “Pity The Dead”
- “One Thousand More Fools”
- “Drunk Sincerity”
- “Generator”
- “Change of Ideas”
- “Portrait of Authority”
- “What It Is”
- “Dream of Unity”
- “Sanity”
- “American Jesus”
- “Do What You Want”
- “Part III”
- “10 in 2010”
- “No Direction”
- “Along the Way”
- “Recipe for Hate”
- “F*ck Armageddon… This is Hell”
- “It’s Reciprocal”
- “Struck a Nerve”
- “Leave Mine to Me”
- “Tested”
- “No Control”
30 Years Live
Released 2010
“30 Years Live” is a live album released by Bad Religion in 2010 to celebrate their 30th anniversary. The album consists of live versions of songs from across their career. This album was initially released as a free download to those who had registered at the band’s mailing list.
CD Track Listings:
- “F*ck Armageddon… This Is Hell”
- “Dearly Beloved”
- “Suffer”
- “Man With a Mission”
- “New Dark Ages”
- “Germs of Perfection”
- “Marked”
- “A Walk”
- “Flat Earth Society”
- “Resist Stance”
- “American Jesus”
- “Social Suicide”
- “Atheist Peace”
- “Tomorrow”
- “Won’t Somebody”
- “Los Angeles Is Burning”
- “We’re Only Gonna Die”
Complete List Of Bad Religion Albums And Discography article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2023
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