Bad Religion is a punk rock band that originated in 1980 in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, California. The founding members include Greg Graffin (vocals), Brett Gurewitz (guitar), Jay Ziskrout (drums), and Jay Bentley (bass), all of whom were teenagers when the group was formed. Graffin is the only member who has remained with the band throughout its entire career, although Bentley and Gurewitz have also been integral members at various points. The duo of Graffin and Gurewitz serves as the primary songwriters, with occasional contributions from other band members. Bad Religion is recognized for its fast-paced songs, melodic elements, and robust backing harmonies.
The band's debut release was a self-titled EP in 1981, which came out on Epitaph Records—a label Gurewitz founded after borrowing money from his father. In 1982, they followed up with their first full-length album, "How Could Hell Be Any Worse?". During the recording of this album, Ziskrout left the band, and drummer Pete Finestone was brought in to complete the project. In 1983, the band took a surprising turn by releasing "Into The Unknown," an album that showcased a keyboard-driven, progressive rock sound. Neither Bentley, who departed during the recording, nor Finestone appeared on this album, which was met with severe backlash from fans and ultimately led Epitaph to withdraw it from distribution. Gurewitz attributed the misstep to his escalating drug issues, while Graffin, who remained sober, later disavowed the album. Facing financial difficulties and a damaged reputation, Gurewitz left, and the band disbanded. Graffin moved out of state for college but returned to California in 1984, where he was persuaded by Greg Hetson of the Circle Jerks to reform Bad Religion. They brought in Finestone and bassist Tim Gallegos, releasing a 12" EP titled "Back To The Known," produced by Gurewitz, who did not perform on the record.
For the next few years, Graffin and Hetson played sporadically with various lineups. Eventually, Finestone and Bentley rejoined the band full-time. In 1987, a sober Brett Gurewitz returned, solidifying the lineup as a five-piece. The following year, Bad Religion released "Suffer," which received positive acclaim from fans and critics alike. This lineup went on to produce two more albums before Finestone left in 1991, subsequently replaced by Bobby Schayer. In 1993, after the release of their seventh LP, "Recipe For Hate," the band transitioned from Epitaph to Atlantic Records. Following the successful "Stranger Than Fiction" in 1994, Gurewitz departed from the group. Officially, he cited a desire to focus on Epitaph due to the commercial success of The Offspring's "Smash" and expressed dissatisfaction with the Atlantic deal. However, it later emerged that tensions with Bentley were a significant factor in his decision to leave; in 1996, Gurewitz released a single with his new band, the Daredevils, which featured the A-side "Hate You," written about Bentley. Additionally, Gurewitz and Graffin engaged in public disputes after his departure. Brian Baker, formerly of Minor Threat and Dag Nasty, replaced Gurewitz. The band continued to record three more albums for Atlantic, with Graffin remaining the primary songwriter, although "No Substance" in 1998 included notable contributions from other members. These releases, however, received mixed reviews both critically and commercially. Simultaneously, Gurewitz struggled with substance abuse and personal issues. In 2000, a sober Gurewitz made a guest appearance on the band's album, "The New America," sparking speculation about a reunion. This album marked their final release under Atlantic.
After "The New America," drummer Bobby Schayer left the band due to a shoulder injury, and Brooks Wackerman, formerly of Suicidal Tendencies, took over. In 2001, it was announced that Gurewitz had rejoined the band and they would return to Epitaph Records. However, Gurewitz's role primarily involved songwriting and production, as his commitments to Epitaph limited his availability for extensive touring, although he did perform at select shows in Los Angeles. Since their reunion, Gurewitz has rarely played guitar on the albums, with most guitar parts recorded by Brian Baker, though Gurewitz contributes when he chooses. The band has maintained a consistent schedule of recording and touring since their return to Epitaph. In 2013, Greg Hetson stepped back from touring due to personal reasons, and Mike Dimkich was brought in to fill the position. By early 2014, it was confirmed that Hetson had permanently left the group, with Dimkich becoming a full-time member. In the fall of 2015, Wackerman departed for Avenged Sevenfold, and Jamie Miller took over as the drummer.
