I used to write stories while listening to songs
written for garages and basements.
Now I write songs when I'm not working
and try to get these basement punks to listen.
We need a reason
We need to hear passion
We've listened to way too much screamo.
I could have said skramz
but that's kind of the problem
we try so hard to classify our bands.

Chop punk rock down into its component parts
Mix them together, give each one their own name
We're wicked into portmanteaus
As if obfuscating the overall purpose
of what we're trying to do
will make it easier to get to you.

I wanna get to you.
I mean, I thought, that's what we were trying to do.

I came to shows at 12 years old cos I felt alone everywhere else I'd go
I found myself in songs sung by someone else.
I found a culture that encouraged me to do it my self.
Cos that's America or what my parents told me America should be.
Now I see kids belittle each other while wearing the same damn patches and pins.
Talking shit behind backs, only sticking around for the bands they know.
The more they commodify punk rock, the more this community suffers.
Those motherfuckers will always win if we don't stand up to them.

This is our fight.
This is our life.
You can't take it from us.
So bring out your knives.

Cos I know I'd be dead and buried by now
If it weren't for the words Joe Strummer or Ian MacKaye used to shout.

If my cousin Jay hadn't shown me the clash when I was 11
I'm not sure where I'd be but I know I wouldn't know this version of me.
And maybe I take these songs too seriously
but they've kept me alive this long
so I hope I can keep them alive.

Let's fucking keep them alive.
Cos I wanna get to you.