Bad Religion has dropped an unreleased track originally recorded for their 2019 album, Age of Unreason, to celebrate the inauguration of President Biden and VP Harris.
What better way to celebrate the changing of the guard at the White House, than with new music to inspire positive growth and change. This is what L.A. punk rockers Bad Religion have done with their latest track, Emancipation Of The Mind. which calls for open-mindedness and consideration from the new administration.
Bad Religion has never shied away from voicing their beliefs on important issues – politically or otherwise, and with the current political climate in the United States, they think it’s even more important for people to listen to each other.
“I think the song really is a celebration of enlightenment values that can be cultivated through enthusiastic learning and open-mindedness,” Greg Graffin says.
“We’re [often] told what to think. But learning how to think (as opposed to learning what to think) is a true feeling of emancipation from the constraints of indoctrination that are so commonplace in our society.”
Just like everyone else on the planet, 2020 didn’t go anywhere near as planned for the band. A year of silence on the live music circuit saw them finding other ways of connecting with the fans.
In October, Bad Religion reimagined their original touring plans coming together to perform – audience-free – at L.A. music venue The Roxy. This was then broadcast as a four-part on-line streaming concert series (aptly dubbed Decades ) chronicling their 40-year career.
Bassist Jay Bentley spoke to Alternative Press about the special Livestream shows back in December.
“We did have a lot of plans, pre-pandemic,” he said. “Obviously, all that went away. The original Decades idea actually came from the promoter at Irving Plaza for our 30th anniversary. I was on the phone with our booking agent and him. He wanted to present this idea to do three nights at Irving Plaza. The first night is the ’80s. The second night is the ’90s and the next night is the 2000s. And I went, ‘OK, why not? That sounds like fun.’ And it was super-challenging. We had to learn a lot of weird songs.”
Since their emergence in 1980 the band has always written music reflecting their strong humanist views. This latest track takes them into a new time in history and sends another strong message. No doubt they will continue to question the actions or inaction of world authorities in the way they do best, through brilliantly thought-provoking punk rock tracks.
What do you think of Emacipation Of The Mind? Listen HERE!
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Everyone should have a soundtrack playing loudly in the background of their life. I was born moshing to my own beat and have never swayed from my love of music. Spreading my passion through the written word is my soul’s purpose. My punk heart beats loudly with the rhythm of my rock soul. I plan to continue to mosh like no one gives a shit.
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