Bad Religion's been playing the same song since they formed nearly three decades ago. It goes like this: Fast power chords with a melodic chorus and lyrics that make no sense to their teenage fanbase. But it works. The shame in the Los Angeles punk band's tried-and-true routine is their recipe for success has inspired a shit-ton of horrific rip-offs whose goal in life is to ape the Bad Religion sound to a tee (…we're looking at you, Pennywise). The song remains the same, but at least singer Greg Graffin and company aren't backing down from what they perceive to be injustice in the world. Topics such as religion (duh), politics (the band's 2004 disc The Empire Strikes First is littered with references to George W. Bush), media influence and conformity have never been taboo. But are the kids listening? We're not sure-it's hard to get philosophical running in circles bashing into whoever's standing next to you.
Fri., March 21, 8 p.m.; Tue., March 25, 8 p.m.; Wed., March 26, 8 p.m., 2008
