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Bad Religion

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Band Timeline

1980

Formation of Bad Religion in Los Angeles

Bad Religion was formed in 1980 in Los Angeles, California, by a group of high school students: Greg Graffin, Jay Bentley, Jay Ziskrout, and Brett Gurewitz. From its inception, the band aimed to challenge norms and provoke thought, choosing the name Bad Religion to reflect this rebellious spirit. Their origins in the California punk scene laid the foundation for their influential career in punk rock music.
1981

Release of Debut EP and Work on First Album

In 1981, Bad Religion released their debut self-titled six-song EP on Epitaph Records, the independent label founded and managed by guitarist Brett Gurewitz. This early work helped establish their presence in the punk community. That same year, the band began recording their first full-length album 'How Could Hell Be Any Worse?'. During these sessions, drummer Jay Ziskrout left and was replaced by Pete Finestone.
1982

Release of 'How Could Hell Be Any Worse?'

Bad Religion released their debut studio album 'How Could Hell Be Any Worse?' in 1982 through Epitaph Records. The album showcased their raw punk sound and socially conscious lyrics, selling approximately 12,000 copies. This release helped solidify their reputation as a notable force within the 1980s punk rock scene.
1983-1985

Experimentation and Hiatus

Between 1983 and 1985, Bad Religion released 'Into the Unknown,' an album that marked a major departure from their punk roots with a progressive rock style. This experimentation led to mixed reactions and a departure from their initial fan base. Following this period, the band went on a temporary hiatus as members pursued other interests and regrouped to refine their musical direction.
1986

Return and Establishment of Classic Punk Sound

Bad Religion returned with renewed focus in 1986, releasing albums that embraced their punk origins, refining their melodic sensibility and transforming their lyrics into sharper sociopolitical commentary. Throughout the late 1980s, the band underwent several lineup changes but continued to build a loyal following via constant touring and releases on Epitaph Records.
1993

Signing with Atlantic Records and Release of 'Recipe for Hate'

In 1993, Bad Religion made a significant career move by signing with major label Atlantic Records. This transition brought wider exposure and marketing muscle. Atlantic reissued 'Recipe for Hate,' initially released on Epitaph, which brought commercial success and increased mainstream attention, marking the band's first real breakthrough beyond the underground punk scene.
1994

Release of 'Stranger Than Fiction' and Lineup Changes

Bad Religion released the album 'Stranger Than Fiction' in 1994, which became their most commercially successful record, featuring hits like 'Infected,' 'Stranger Than Fiction,' and a re-recorded '21st Century (Digital Boy)'. Shortly prior to this release, Brett Gurewitz departed to focus on Epitaph Records full-time and was replaced by guitarist Brian Baker. The album was certified gold in the United States and Canada, amplifying the band's prominence.
1994-2001

Gradual Decline and Return to Epitaph

Following the peak of their mid-1990s success, Bad Religion's popularity began to wane by the late 1990s. Despite continued album releases, the band was eventually dropped by Atlantic Records in 2001. Subsequently, Brett Gurewitz rejoined the band, and Bad Religion returned to their independent label roots with Epitaph Records, realigning with their original punk ethos and fan base.
2002-2013

Resurgence and Continued Success

Between 2002 and 2013, Bad Religion experienced a resurgence in popularity. They released several albums including hits like 'Sorrow,' 'Los Angeles Is Burning,' and 'The Devil in Stitches,' which charted in the US. Their sixteenth studio album 'True North', released in 2013, marked a commercial milestone, becoming their first album to break into the top 20 on the Billboard 200, peaking at number 19, underscoring their lasting influence and appeal.
2019

Release of 'Age of Unreason' and Continued Influence

On May 3, 2019, Bad Religion released their seventeenth studio album 'Age of Unreason'. The album reaffirmed the band's continued relevance in punk rock, maintaining their signature melodic and politically charged style. Over nearly four decades, Bad Religion cemented their legacy as pioneers of the punk rock revival, influencing numerous other bands and remaining a critical voice in punk music with a career spanning over 40 years.

Albums

bad-religion_1st_album
How Could Hell Be Any Worse?
14 tracks
1982
bad-religion_2nd_album
Into the Unknown
8 tracks
1983
bad-religion_3rd_album
Suffer
15 tracks
1988
bad-religion_4th_album
No Control
15 tracks
1989
bad-religion_5th_album
Against the Grain
17 tracks
1990
bad-religion_6th_album
Generator
11 tracks
1992
bad-religion_7th_album
Recipe for Hate
14 tracks
1993
bad-religion_8th_album
Stranger Than Fiction
17 tracks
1994
bad-religion_9th_album
The Gray Race
16 tracks
1996
bad-religion_10th_album
No Substance
16 tracks
1998
bad-religion_11th_album
The New America
14 tracks
2000
bad-religion_12th_album
The Process of Belief
14 tracks
2002
bad-religion_13th_album
The Empire Strikes First
15 tracks
2004
bad-religion_14th_album
New Maps of Hell
18 tracks
2007
bad-religion_15th_album
The Dissent of Man
20 tracks
2010
bad-religion_16th_album
True North
16 tracks
2013
bad-religion_17th_album
Age of Unreason
14 tracks
2019
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Members

Current

Name
Begin
Occupation

Brian Baker

1994

Guitar

Brett Gurewitz

2001

Guitar

Jay Bentley

1986

Bass guitar

Greg Graffin

1980

Lead vocals

History

Name
Begin
End
Occupation

Brooks Wackerman

2001
2015

Drums (drum set)

Paul Dedona

1982
1984

Bass guitar

Pete Finestone

1981
1982

Drums (drum set)

John Albert

1985
1986

Drums (drum set)

Lucky Lehrer

1986
1986

Drums (drum set)

Bobby Schayer

1992
2001

Drums (drum set)

Tim Gallegos

1984
1985

Bass guitar

Pete Finestone

1984
1991

Drums (drum set)

Jay Bentley

1980
1982

Bass guitar

Brett Gurewitz

1980
1984

Guitar

Greg Hetson

1984
2013

Guitar

Jay Ziskrout

1980
1980

Drums (drum set)

Davy Goldman

1982
1984

Drums (drum set)

Brett Gurewitz

1986
1994

Guitar

Story of Bad Religion

Bad Religion, formed in Los Angeles in 1980, are legendary figures in punk rock. Their insightful lyrics tackle religion, politics, society, media, and science with sharp wit and intellectual depth. Musically, they`re renowned for their melodic sensibility and intricate three-part harmonies – a unique sound in the genre.

While the lineup has seen changes over the years, Greg Graffin has remained the constant frontman. Founding members Jay Bentley and Brett Gurewitz have also been pivotal throughout their history, with guitarist Brian Baker joining the ranks in 1994. Mike Dimkich (guitar) and Jamie Miller (drums) solidified the current lineup in 2013 and 2015, respectively.

Their prolific output includes seventeen studio albums, plus numerous live albums, compilations, EPs, and DVDs. Having sold over five million albums worldwide, theyre undeniably one of punk rocks best-selling acts.

Their early releases on Gurewitzs Epitaph Records cultivated a massive underground following and critical acclaim. The bands 1993 signing to Atlantic Records marked a transition to mainstream success, playing a key role in the 90s punk rock revival. Bad Religion essentially set the template for a generation of California punk bands, influencing acts like Green Day, The Offspring, NOFX, and Rancid. Their impact extends beyond their contemporaries; they`re cited as a major influence on pop punk, skate punk, post-hardcore, screamo, and emo scenes throughout the 90s and 2000s.

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