BAD RELIGION
Into The Unknown (bootleg)
Reviewed by Jason Thornberry

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This was issued briefly on BR's own Epitaph label in 1983, and quickly snatched back and deleted by the band in apparent embarrassment. In 1984 they went "Back to the Known" with a return-to-basics EP of the same name. The 'known' is best captured on their classic "Against the Grain" (1990), "No Control" (1989), and 1988's "Suffer."

Their seeming alignment with Jock-Core has typecast Bad Religion unfairly, and diverted the public's attention away from the fact that they indeed know their way around a tune. They've simply accelerated the tempos.

Look around for this a bit like I did, or go online and finagle a copy of it for yourself. Especially if you've never been partial to Bad Religion's caffeinated sing-along punk.

My bootleg cd also contains two tracks from a Sounds of Hollywood compilation LP, an "unknown" track from the Desperate Teenage Lovedolls soundtrack, and a pair of songs recorded live.

What does it sound like? I had heard rumors of the existence of this record for at least a decade. After I found it I played bits of it for friends telling them to try and guess just who it was. Greg Graffin's voice is straight away Clue #1, but no one could put their finger on why it all seemed so familiar. Bad Religion has almost always had other elements. I'd liken them more to The Kinks than to Rudimentary Peni.

This album is almost Journey-ish, with great, big fuck-off keyboards way up in the mix. It actually seems like the whole endeavor was an experiment that accidentally got their logo placed on it. The eight songs do grow on you after a few days. I don't think they should be ashamed of it at all. Next time you're at one of their shows stand in front, and ask them to play "Time and Disregard," or "The Dichotomy." Then they'll know that you're a real fan.

© 2001 - Jason Thornberry