This US hardcore band was formed in 1980 in the suburbs of north Los Angeles, California. Their first incarnation comprised Greg Graffin (b. Gregory Walter Graffin III, 6 November 1964, Racine, Wisconsin, USA; vocals), Brett Gurewitz (b. 12 May 1962, Los Angeles, California, USA; guitar), Jay Ziskrout (drums) and Jay Bentley (b. 6 June 1964, Wichita, Kansas, USA; bass), with the name originating from their mutual distaste for organized religion. Their debut release was the poorly produced EP Bad Religion, on Epitaph Records, formed by founder member Gurewitz. Following several appearances on local compilation albums, Pete Finestone (b. 11 June 1964) took over as drummer in 1982. The milestone album How Could Hell Be Any Worse? was recorded in Hollywood, creating a fair degree of local and national interest. The subsequent Into The Unknown proved a minor disaster, disillusioning hardcore fans with the emphasis shifted to slick keyboard textures, though the record itself stands up well.
In 1984 there were more changes and Graffin was soon the only surviving member from the previous year, with Greg Hetson (b. 29 June 1961, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA) and Tim Gallegos taking over guitar and bass, and Pete Finestone returning on drums, while Gurewitz took time out to conquer his drink and drug problems. A comeback EP, Back To The Known, revealed a much more purposeful outfit. A long period of inactivity was ended in 1987 when Gurewitz rejoined for a show that Hetson (working with former band Circle Jerks once more) could not attend. New material was written, and Suffer was released in 1988 to wide critical acclaim.
Bad Religion's subsequent releases featured intelligent lyrics set against their compelling punk sound. In 1993, they signed to Atlantic Records, making their major label debut with the following year's Stranger Than Fiction. Despite this, Gurewitz retired in 1994 to spend more time looking after the Epitaph label, which was enjoying success with Offspring and others. The Gray Race, recorded by a line-up comprising Graffin, Hetson, Bentley, Brian Baker (guitar; ex-Minor Threat), and Bobby Schayer (b. 23 December 1966, Los Angeles, California, USA; drums), was an assured release that addressed famine, world disorder and politics. Tested collected powerful live performances from The Gray Race tour, but 1998's No Substance indicated a band struggling for new ideas. Former member Gurewitz made a guest appearance on the Todd Rundgren-produced follow-up, The New America, their final album for Atlantic. The band returned to Epitaph and welcomed back Gurewitz as a full-time member on 2002's The Process Of Belief. The album also featured new drummer Brooks Wackerman (b. 15 February 1977; ex-Suicidal Tendencies). The same line-up recorded The Empire Strikes First (2004) and New Maps Of Hell (2007).
