Bad Religion explore theterritories of hell

Thu 19th Jul, 2007 in Features

Short, loud and fast, Bad Religion have always been nothing other than inspiring. Pioneering icons of the 80s punk scene, politically charged and socially aware, they have bought an intensity and dedication to every project they pursued.

A return to their – œclassic’ fiery sound, New Maps of Hell is the 14th studio album in their 27 years together as a band and they are still passionately disgruntled with the Establishment.

Recorded with renowned producer Joe Barresi ( Tool, Queens Of The Stone Age ), bassist Jay Bentley confesses to recurring bouts of nostalgia whilst they recorded New Maps Of Hell ,as the studio was located just blocks away from the vibrant 80s LA punk scene they frequented as young teen rebels.

“The last two records were made in the (San Fernando) Valley, where we’re from and so we had that whole depressed valley angst. With this new record we were in LA and it had that vibrant feel, we were all very happy and I liked that.”

So did the Kinsley Amis’ book inspire New Maps of Hell?
” We were doing a photo shoot in a record store and Brian picked up an album from 1981, it had new wave guys on it with skinny ties. They had a song called – œNew Maps of Hell’ and we thought it was a cool name. We were inspired by an 80s New Wave band we’ve never heard of. It certainly ties in with How Could Hell Be Any Worse?” (Bad Religion’s 1982 debut album)

“The word – œhell’ frequently pops up in the Bad Religion back catalogue, Bentley adds, “it seems to make sense doesn’t it?”

A fundamental part of the Bad Religion experience has always been the politically charged and engaging lyrics – the fusion of punk rock intelligentsia and the surging punk power chords. Lyrically New Maps of Hell is a return to less overtly political lyrics compared to their last album The Empire Strikes First, Bentley explains that: “the last record was made at a time of political change in America, this album is about looking forward. It’s a time to look and move forward, things can get better hopefully if people snap to it.”

Main songwriters Greg Graffin and Brett Gurewitz are in top form on New Maps Of Hell, it’s Gurewitz second album with Bad Religion since rejoining the band in 2001 and it’s clear, it just doesn’t work without Gurewitz. The feedback from the fans has been quite encouraging. Currently touring the album and headlining the US Warped Tour 2007, Bentley gauges the positive reactions by, “people singing all the words even though they’ve heard the songs only a couple of times and that looks pretty good to me. I find if people don’t like the record, they are upfront and quick to say its crap. I think they generally like it.”

The internet and myspace message boards are rife with rumours of an Australian Bad Religion tour… Bentley has confirmed an exclusive, “maybe October, probably November, certainly not December.” Still evasive about the possibility of an Australian tour later this year, Bentley positively adds, “for sure we’re probably coming. OK, say from the beginning of November to 14th November, it’s a 75% chance we’ll be out there!”

As a band that encourages free thought, truth and to question authority, What does Bentley hope the fans take from the new album?, “That they can do this themselves. We wonder about things all the time. Whether you’re in America, Australia, Germany, Iraq or Kansas City, we all wonder about the same things. Worrying and wondering and hope for a better day, that’s all we’ve really asked for. It’s not an – œI’ issue but an – œUs’ issue.”

Heroes and Martyrs, a blistering song off New Maps Of Hell has Bentley thinking about personal heroes. Bentley asserts that, “I used to have heroes and then I met a couple of them and they were disappointing. Perhaps you’re just not meant to meet your heroes?” These days Bentley believes that a hero is, “anyone who acts selflessly, not for themselves but for the betterment of all. These people are heroes to me.”

Another fire that burns bright in the Bad Religion camp is cooking. Bentley has a penchant for the food network, in particular cooking shows. So who rivals The Naked Chef on the Bad Religion tour bus? “I think the best cook is Brian followed by a tight second by Graffin and I. Graffin has me on steaks but I have him on everything else!”

Clearly, the road to hell is paved with good entrées!