Brett Gurewitz Interview (History of Bad Religion, Epitaph Records, So Cal Punk Rock)

This episode is an amazing education on the history of Bad Religion, Epitaph Records, the punk rock scene and the man himself Brett Gurewitz.
When Brett Gurewitz joins Stryker, they talk about the forming of Bad Religion in high school and how Brett, Jay Bentley and Greg Graffin met. Brett discusses everything from how they got their first radio spin on KROQ with Rodney on the Roq, to their first tours, to creating the record label Epitaph Records. Brett also tell Stryker about when Fletcher from Pennywise told to him to sign a then new band called Blink 182.
Brett discusses with Stryker the thought process of testing the major label waters, and why for a time Bad Religion did sign to a major. Brett also shares the strategy and benefits to giving the music away for free to people like Kelly Slater and Tony Hawk (surf videos and video games).
Brett shares the story of how as the owner of Epitaph, he "effed up" with The Vandals, he talks about the lesson he learned and how he made it right with the band. Brett talks honestly about his sobriety and events in his life that lead him to living a sober life.
In this interview, Stryker and Brett also discuss the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame (not yet in) and being on the cover of Rolling Stone (it almost happened).
This episode is full of great stories, music education, and lots of inspiration. Hope you enjoy!
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[@WorldRockumentaryChannel]

What a great interview. Brett looks and sounds great. I was fortunate to get to work with and for Brett after filming the Bad Religion Riot at the El Portal Theater in N. Hollywood way back in 1990. I partnered with ABC World News Tonight. ABC aired the riot footage on their nightly news, and ABC 7 locally. I got a call from MTV News Ann Hartmeyer, they had never heard of Bad Religion, I filled them in and sent them the footage too. The ABC broadcast was seen by millions of viewers worldwide, to people who had never seen or heard of the band. It was a million dollar publicity stunt that cost absolutely nothing. Brett was very gracious in regards to allowing me to release the riot video on my own label without distribution from Epitaph back in 1995. Unfortunately I had a former associate who turned adversarial on me and then Brett. So I lost touch. It's a trip too, my Grandfather had the only country western band in Southern California from 1946 thru 1953. Lucky White and His DUDE RANCH PLAYBOYS. He was a huge recording star. He had two radio shows on both KPMO Pomona, and KWKW 1430 Pasadena, Calif. Hank Williams, Cliffie Stone, Buck Owens, Leodie Jackson, Bob Wills, Buck Owens, Little Jimmy Dickens, Les Paul and Mary Ford all toured with him during those same years. Lucky also recorded at Les Paul's studio too. Lucky started his own Independent label WHITE RECORDS in 1953 releasing singles just as you and Brett discussed. Lucky also had a mohawk in 1958 and was forced to wear his cowboy hat on stage while performing on stage otherwise he'd be banned. Apparently the music fans weren't ready for that fashion look yet... Brett is correct the youth go thru what we go thru growing up. Almost as if there's an unseen force that causes it. 🎸🥁🎶

[@xx7secondsxx]

This dude's the 5th member of RANCID!!🤘🎸🤘🎸🤘🍻🍻

[@darrenjoe674]

Legend. Top 3 band. Great interview.

[@richardturzua1785]

Brett was my boss in the early 2000’s he was always super cool to be around. Always had something nice to say and was a genius in handling artist’s relations. This one was awesome Love ya Stryker!

[@edwardbyard6540]

Agree 100% on the RnR Hall of Fame. BR should be in it - countless bands and artists have been influenced by them, Green Day, Blink, even Pink was a huge BR fan. It'd be so good to see all the band members past and present on the stage.

[@_b_u_l_l_s_h_a_r_k_]

Dude! We just saw Bad Religion for the ninth time. Stoked to hear from Mr. Brett bc it’s been a while. ♥️

[@burnzyburnswild]

I wish the book was more like an oral style similar to NOFX. Bret was amazing here, i could listen to his perspectives for days and days. Thanks man!

[@GrousinVizslas]

The BR book was really good but I loved the format of the NOFX one. So cool to hear it in their own voices.

[@cris.kilterrier]

37:35 this might be one of the best advices for new artists

[@ambermolina1326]

Absolutely Love Bad Religion! Followed them since the early 90’s! Helped me find my hudband and now my son is a huge fan. Bought a pristine Tour poster for the Stranger than Fiction tour as a Christmas gift to my son this year! Saw that show at Numbers in Houston! My husband is the one with Bad Religion Cross Buster Tattoo over his heart and Suffer on his Right Upper arm. I love a band that you need a dictionary near by to get the whole meaning of the lyrics!

[@dard4642]

Every year, I get back on a classic Bad Religion kick. Like, I listen to only classic BR for a month. Suffer STILL rocks my shit. It may be the only record in the world where I absolutely love every single song. Stranger Than Fiction is a masterpiece in a different, more intentional way.

[@Dead-xk1lk]

Suffer is my favorite!!!

[@JPindanga]

To me is About Time from Pennywise, So Long from NOFX and Bad Religion's No Control. Perfects!

[@808kicks2]

Suffer is probably my most absolute favorite album

[@TheMattJacks]

I just got on that the other day. I'm fully at repeat SUFFER over and over. And Control. And "These are a few of my favorite things, the funny version of Generator.

[@TheMattJacks]

​@@Dead-xk1lkThat is because of 2 things: 1. You have impeccable taste. 2. Bad Religion are Punk Rock. The best of the best.

[@viniciusrangel6896]

Greetings from Brazil! BR deserves more recognition for shure. Huge fan here.

[@danielcarlson800]

50 and STILL a fan of this band. AWESOME interview!!!!!!!! 👍

[@larryshepherd5380]

Bad religion, nofx, rancid, social distortion, and black flack were the soundtracks of my youth. Thanks for this interview. *edit*Graffin would be awesome to get on also.

[@Happyal-qt3xs]

Just hearing Bret describe the early days and how DIY the punk scene was is testament to how infinitely special those days were compared to the digital era of today.... I was born in 89 and would do anything to have access to a time machine

[@RawdoggyMvb]

There’s scenes going on everywhere go be a part you’re young

[@85walterrulez]

But people were trying to kick the shit out of you as well though. The only visibility punk rockers had in mainstream culture was like, villians on Quincy and cop shows. Maybe talk shows where they'd parade punks and club kids and mods etc out and treat them like carnaval oddities. It was fucking dumb.

[@1stuntwood]

There are more GREAT songwriters in the punk genre than many people realize and Brett is one of them

[@evegasse6999]

He seems like a cool, honest, nice guy. I don't like all the stuff on Epitaph but I have tremendous respect for how he treats the bands on his label and for his outlook on the music business in general.

[@opossum4463]

Of all of the early LA punk history stories, I never get tired of hearing Brett speak. The book was great, long time coming. Enjoyed the interview!

[@danielcarlson800]

What's the book called?

[@opossum4463]

@@danielcarlson800 Do What You Want: The Story of Bad Religion

[@danielcarlson800]

@@opossum4463Thanks!!!!!!!! Amazon, here I come.

[@kennyplont7632]

Stryker is so great! Loved this

[@cryptosneakers1180]

Loved this! Great interview with someone who literally helped entertain my youth. Against the grain for life!

[@TunaonToastwithStryker]

thank you!

[@michaelclark3195]

Zed Records getting that mention, nice!!

[@sonicjet7759]

BAD RELIGION WILL ALWAYS ROCK ON :)

[@xx7secondsxx]

Bad Religion.... and video games, I ALWAYS think CRAZY TAXI!!!🤘🎸🤘🎸🤘

[@dougparsons3868]

What a great 45 minutes, Stryker is a pro. I got to talk with Brett for a dirt bike magazine Racer X and he was super cool. Standing backstage to him before they went on to play an Easter show at the Grove in OC, I over heard him say, someone offered him x millions for 25% off Epitaph and he said, no thanks. I thought that was the most punk rock thing to do, stay true to your passion, even when offered, generational life changing money.

[@TunaonToastwithStryker]

appreciate you, Doug, have a great day!

[@MrChristbait]

One of my heros! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@gnarls5065]

Great interview, Stryker! My earliest memories of music is listening to yourself and Bad Religion on KROQ ❤️

[@TunaonToastwithStryker]

Albert, thank you!

[@michaszeremeta4745]

props for Burnout 3 Takedown.

[@nickblinko5677]

Always good to see Brett clean.

[@cpainyourass]

Great interview. Always been inspired by Brett.

[@aarondelmonte7703]

I used to bad religion every year since 1991 now I only show up to shows Brett plays at

[@tbx59]

That was great. Brett we love you.

[@TonyDubs337]

Thank you for putting out great interviews. I wish over on the east coast we had radio hosts like you who played punk. This interview was extra sauce for me as Bad Religion was THE band that got me into punk more specifically the SUFFER album when I was about 10 I was going thru my dads albums and I came across Suffer the album cover alone just called out to me and once the needle lay to the vinyl and that half hour of pure energy slammed thru my dads old tower speakers I never looked back converse and DIY spike covered hoodies would follow me till now in my late 30s. This just really brought me back thanks again man

[@TunaonToastwithStryker]

Anthony, thank you so much!

[@natesotelo7131]

This was a great interview this has probably been my favorite interview so far

[@TunaonToastwithStryker]

Nate thank you so much!

[@robertjensen3513]

LOVE Mr. Brett. Probably the best records ever.

[@aaronhurst4379]

Loved hearing you guys mention the inclusion of Bad Religion in the Tony Hawk soundtracks, as the song Big Bang on THUG got me into them when I was like 11, and they're now one of my favourite bands! Great interview Stryker, glad to have come across this channel. Love from the UK 🤘🏻

[@pullitupjamie810]

He should have a biopic. Awesome pod.

[@FeedMeMedia]

Brett mentioned he did a podcast about Sublime (Bradley Nowell)...can anyone point me to that interview or link? Bad religion and Sublime are my fav bands, thanks!

[@stryprks]

Awesome interview! Thank you, Stryker!

[@launiz]

Bret is the best songwriter ever

[@dknox90803]

Miss you on KROQ Stryker

[@TunaonToastwithStryker]

David, thank you!!!

[@MinoriaActivavideos]

Mr.Brett Rules!🎶 🇦🇷 Great interview!

[@nairdmaster1]

Zed's was my favorite record store in Long Beach. Great interview Stryker!!

[@TunaonToastwithStryker]

Appreciate you watching the interview!

[@mgs721]

Okay, this was a fantastic interview! I had no idea Brett Gurewitz (or Stryker for that matter) was such a cool, down-to-earth dude. I have a specific unique question that I'll get to eventually, but let me start by saying that I grew up in the Valley in the 80s and of course listened to KROQ, so grew up with Bad Religion as part of the soundtrack of my life (they still are). I probably became a fan of Bad Religion when "Suffer" came out - my senior year of high school, I think. Anyways, that is not when I first heard of Bad Religion.... which leads me to my question (that I fear only Brett or someone else who was there will be able to answer): in the early/mid 80s, I spent a couple summers at Camp Alonim in Simi Valley. Now, I'm 75% sure this isn't a false memory - at one of the camp's talent shows, one of the campers' band or friend who was in a band performed. That camper/friend/band was Brett Gurewitz/Bad Religion. Am I tripping or did that actually happen?! Can anyone confirm? I've been telling this story for decades and no one really believes me. Thanks guys. And yes, Bad Religion absolutely belongs in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. And "Do What You Want" is on my Xmas list this year! Peace!

[@TunaonToastwithStryker]

I'll ask him when I interview him again!!!

[@mgs721]

@@TunaonToastwithStryker Thanks, that would be awesome if you got an answer from Brett! If only iPhones were around back then, I'd have proof! So, I read "Do What You Want" and I'm an even bigger fan of the band than I was before.

[@hugoarend4743]

Great interview! Congrats! I’m so glad Brett let sk8brd videos use their music … That’s how I got to know them and pennywise and many many other bands we would never ever hear about in Brazil… Plan B, The Questionable Video, Danny Way’s part: Heaven Is Falling! The very 2 min that changed my life …

[@TunaonToastwithStryker]

appreciate you watching Tuna on Toast!

[@marianorainmaker]

This legend wrote my favorite album of all time. 44 here, and still as fan of BR as ever.

[@squirrelhuntinrecordsyall8983]

Just found this podcast. It’s one of the best!!!

[@TunaonToastwithStryker]

thank you so much!

[@LD10000]

Ahhh the good ole days!!!!!!! Thank you, nice tuxedo top at the T-Bird roller dome gig!! Rodney used to play "in the night" I liked that track...

[@joeh7151]

Shout out to Boise! (And to answer that question....yeah Zines like MMR, a great local shop...The Record Exchange, and Mutant Pop on BSU college radio). Great chat, thanks!

[@johnzackarias11]

Your face at 9:32, like "oooooh shit I know what's coming!!!", awesome

[@TunaonToastwithStryker]

😃

[@ryanarborist]

Brett is as influential as Jerry Garcia, Brian Wilson, and Phil Spector combined

[@joepotash234]

Bless you for the shoutout to Jerry!!!

[@jerryhoyer7225]

@@joepotash234 My name is Jerry.. hi!

[@d_hurl]

Such a trip, I went to Taft HS in the early 00s & Punk Rock was in some dark times. There were only a hand full of kids- I watched Moby Disc & the Cobalt go out of business. My folks were X's neighbors in West Hollywood back in the olden days. It's so weird hearing people mention Woodland Hills because it seems so lame as a native. But it has so much cool history- always felt like I missed the party by a decade. I'm still plugging my band~ Gang Date.

[@shotfrmbehind]

Great interview. Mike Ness please.

[@raffanimation]

what a great lad

[@greggarrett8489]

Huge fan and my 15 year old son is too. Great interview!

[@TunaonToastwithStryker]

thank you, Greg

[@teraskasi1959]

beautiful interview

[@jasonkeely7269]

100% yes to BR in the rock and roll hall of fame! They have been the bedrock of punk rock and independent music for 40 years

[@JNathanielBerke]

anyone who references Jack Kerouac in a song is all right in my book!

[@COMMONsenseAdvocate86]

Think I've seen Bad Religion live between 15 and 20 times over the past 22 years(including Warped Tour & a few other festivals). Only one of those shows, was Brett actually on the stage.

[@AdamBlue]

Crazy Taxi got me into music.

[@jaredwtaylor]

New to the podcast from Fat Mike one popping up on my feed. So many im stoked to listen to.

[@TunaonToastwithStryker]

Welcome the tuna on toast community! Appreciate you checking out the pod!

[@lauraloyland9895]

Please do an extensive interview with either Noodles or Dexter Holland if you haven’t already. Been a fan since Come Out and Play in 1994 when I was 24 years old and I saw them live in San Diego’95 Smash era when Dexter still had his long braids and still took stage dives. Fav albums ever are Ignition, Self Titled and then Smash 🥰👍

[@123probando]

Great interview

[@desdeeds6099]

Dam Middle Earth records in Downey! i used to drive or catch the bus from south central to get records! It was a cool spot..

[@mrdudelove1]

Mr brett is my idol....i have the suffer cover tattooed on my fore arm😀

[@ghoops4295]

fabulous.

[@SamuelRivera_DAMN]

Great interview!!

[@TunaonToastwithStryker]

thank you so much!

[@eancurtis9333]

Awesome

[@SDGuy1981]

Thumbs up if you had the momentum surf videos!!🤙🏻 I always thought it was Taylor Steele videos. #momentumgeneration

[@lauraloyland9895]

Yay 😁 Brett mentioned of course my favorite band The Offspring 🥰😜😏

[@jutublizard]

did he say that he can't stand them? ;)

[@lauraloyland9895]

@@jutublizard idk I’ve never heard that before but they made Brett a lot of money I know that much

[@juliusseizure324]

Whoa. I’ve been a Punk Rocker for ALMOST 30 years and I have NEVER heard ANYONE say their band was the Offspring!!!!! So weird. I never thought I’d ever hear someone admit that.

[@lauraloyland9895]

@@juliusseizure324 then you’ve never viewed any Offspring videos cause there’s many comments on many of their videos about how The Offspring is the best band in the world and other comments such as that. Go check em out you’ll be amazed

[@lauraloyland9895]

@@juliusseizure324 I’ve been a fan of the Offspring for almost 30 years, since I was 24 in’94 and I saw them live one time only in San Diego 1995 Smash era when Dexter still had his long braids and still took stage dives and that was by far my favorite and most wild show I’ve seen besides the Nine Inch Nails show in 1995. I’m now 52 years old btw.

[@badofcheese]

You just got yourself a subscriber, sir.

[@aarondelmonte7703]

One time I had a suffer album in my cousins cd player and her new tweaking skater boyfriend came over opened the cd player and threw my cd on the floor I got up and was ready to punch him he didn't hesitate to say that he had something better than whatever was in there I said impossible he put in his cd and turned up volume for the track you are the government lol the same CD hahaha we became instant friends

[@Serphwratt]

Do you plan to interview Dexter or Noodles from The Offspring?

[@marcoreactionary]

Mr Brett’s guitar solo on Millencolins penny bridge pioneers 😚🤌🏽

[@staygold902]

Chris Hannah next please 🙏

[@bowlsallbroken]

"Hi, nice to be here. Life is terrible. The world is completely fucked." I love him, by the way 🤣

[@GregDiamond-wh6ob]

My band got scouted in LA in 2010. Internal politics split us up eventually. I was the first to give up. Where I am now isn't where I belong. Don't be me. Don't give up.

[@GregDiamond-wh6ob]

... and True North is the best BR album since Against the Grain. A masterstroke. The band could have gone out with it.

[@jrb1825]

Bro he is such a good looking dude. I hope to god I age that well

[@TheMattJacks]

Jesus. THANK GOD FOR BAD RELIGION! lol. Just wordplay. Thank you, OMNIVERSE for GIFTING US BAD RELIGION. GAME CHANGERS.

[@bobbobson1605]

"Brett Gurewitz is in my house?" ** side-eyes the carbonite machine... **

[@bengoshi4]

This is gold 👏🏻 not the record 😎

[@henrikduende]

How much would one of these 7” be worth? All unique and ”custom” Can i have one ☝️

[@GoEvolveYourself]

Brett you accidentally changed the world with punk rock. Whatever shall we do?

[@aarondelmonte7703]

I want to play chess with Brett

[@bobbobson1605]

i'm going to listen to the rest of it before commenting further, but i recently had some (relatively personal) realizations on the "real person" thing. Nothing earth-shattering or ground-breaking, just a few specific 2023 minor celebrity deaths really stuck it to me that if you have any intention of 'running into' these folks (who as i originally put it to a friend, "made the music that made our lives", and aren't getting any younger), be on the lookout for any reasonable opportunity. If you're like me but without crippling social anxiety, you'll make a fool of yourself and hopefully complement a look-alike (I'd die inside but I think i'd chreish the experience). I need to reach out to the Woz, come to think of it.

[@hugolafhugolaf]

I prefer turkey on rye.

[@mathiasparkinson7536]

Rad

[@sirchadiusmaximusiii]

As a person that loved Epitaph growing up immensely, I can honestly say in the past couple years I had to unsub from Epitaphs recent music, the punk turned into hipster into straight up borg status. Except for ETID. No hate but facts.

[@csurname]

I'm not into recent Epitaph, but it looks like they're pissing off the right people.

[@NevadaJohnny]

It would be awesome to see bad religion in the rock Hof. Unfortunately the hall is an absolute joke now.

[@Alec_Collins78]

BR have never released an album a year for 7 years.

[@GregGallagher]

Actually… 1988 - Suffer 1989 - No Control 1990 - Against The Grain 1991 - 80-85 1992 - Generator 1993 - Recipe For Hate 1994 - Stranger Than Fiction I think they did, unless you discount 80-85 for being a compilation of material that was out of print up to that point.

[@Alec_Collins78]

@@GregGallagher I'd discount it.

[@DukeBluedevil70]

41:05 Man the punk community has aged poorly lmao.

[@bryanfrombuffalo7685]

After stranger than fiction it just wasn't as good

[@andrewwelch5017]

Maybe you were just underwhelmed by “The Gray Race” like I was. “No Substance” was different but interesting, “The Process Of Belief” was great and “New Maps Of Hell” may be my overall favorite BR album.

[@jipke]

It's funny how Brett says at 41:10 that "being punkrockers, they are progressive". I get where he's coming from and for a long time I thought the same. But nowadays I can't help but feel there is absolutely no use of shoehorning yourself into a pigeonhole like that. Does this mean that no matter the candidate, you will always vote Democrats? I'm not American, but I've learned over the years to be nothing but deceived by the left (cultural marxism, wokeness, their anti-white stance). It's like being progressive these days equates to being very strongly moved by ideology, regardless of the scientific, cultural or socio-economical merit of that ideology. I'd say you have to judge every problem on a case-to-case basis and decide whether you should be on the left or the right. For example, being progressive these days means to acknowledge there are 72 million genders. But as a biologist myself, I know for a fact there are two sexes (besides the odd hermaphrodite). Yes I know, psychology and other quack sciences will argue that sex and gender are separate things, but this is not the vibe I'm getting from the warped science as it is being forced into many university programmes these days, especially in the States. Much of this gender stuff is a scientific falsehood and going along with this as a scientist, in my opinion, borders scientific misconduct. Yet evolutionary biologists defending the traditional biological facts about sex risk being bullied out of tenure by students and the very universities that employ them. Sickening. Also: christianity has long been the center of mockery in the punk scene (and rightly so, I might add). But islam, in my opinion, is way more pernicious, especially in the current societal context. Why not speak out? "Because it's racism"? Bullshite. A long rant, I know, but my point is: as I grew up I became wiser and I find this "we're punks so we're left" attitude laughable. I wish more punks could see that. Punk rock was about being anti-establishment, right? These days, many so-called rebellious stances are completely embraced by the establishment and can be considered mainstream. You want to be punk? Vote Trump! Lol!

[@misterm5325]

Yeah, I've found it concerning that BR members have praised the candidates of the mainstream big government left over the past several years. Just because neo cons are the bad guys doesn't automatically make the socialist left the good guy saviors. Are they taking the lesser of two evils approach? Are they just brainwashed by the media? Have they not caught up with the times? Do they love big government control over the masses as long as the guy in charge has a D next to his name? We need answers!

[@bowlsallbroken]

There are about a thousand things I could address in your post here, which is largely (but to be fair not entirely) a pile of fetid diarrhea, but I'm just going to address just this one rather than get into a whole thing: "two sexes" Essentially nobody at all disagrees with this. Are you so utterly in the dark on LGBTQ issues to not know that trans issue revolve around *gender*, not biological sex?

[@ClownWorldSwitzerland]

sadly.... Most punkrocker got tds... even 4 years no new wars can make them say something positive

[@Peasant_in_a_tree]

BR is wildly out of touch with politics in todays climate. They side with big corporations and big government in turn crushing our freedoms. So punk rock...

[@jamarcusrussel2352]

Ok buddy

[@Peasant_in_a_tree]

@@jamarcusrussel2352 they dont have the same woke beliefs as all the big corporations and big government? Ok buddy

[@bowlsallbroken]

Uh, come again?? "big government" Oh wait, I think I figured it out. You're a tinfoil hat vaccine conspiracy clown or something like that?

[@ChipKalback]

Great interview!

[@TunaonToastwithStryker]

Thank you!!!

[@lemadfab]

Great interview !!

[@TunaonToastwithStryker]

thank you!!