BAD BADGE 1985​/​2020

by PALE MOON GANG

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about

In 1985, a 16 year old Luke Miller came into rehearsal screaming “Those cops who killed Michael Stewart got off!” He had already written most of Bad Badge as a response. We worked on the song that night, and played it at live gigs throughout the 80’s. We revisited this song in 2020 because 35 years later the same shit is still happening. I started looking back through old tapes for a recorded version. I found a rough take of scratch guitar & drums. Only Danny’s drums were good enough to use. We went in and recorded a new guitar, bass and vocals.
Bad Badge isn’t about all cops. It’s about criminals with badges. It’s about institutional racism and the 'Blue Wall' of silence. Good cops are tainted by thugs who never should be given a badge in the first place.
Oh, and Michael Stewart’s crime? Writing graffiti on the subway wall.

lyrics

BAD BADGE 1985/2020

You got a badge You think you're bad
Well I know that you're just mad
License to kill, ain't it a thrill
Without a badge you're just a criminal

Michael Stewart was hog tied
Beat to death he was twenty five
They put him six feet under the ground
And they still patrol this town

It ain't my fault you're life is deformed
It ain't my fault your mind is warped

A sick brains' game of fun
Let's go make that black man run
Use propaganda to justify
Well I'm sick of your malicious lies

You got a badge You think you're bad
Well I know that you're just mad
The Blue Wall will not fall
We'll have to tear it down that's all

It ain't my fault your life is deformed
It ain't my fault your mind is warped

You got a badge and you think your bad
Well believe me I know that you're just mad
A license to kill, oh ain't it a thrill
You'll have to live in the shit you've created
You'll have to live in the shit you've created
You'll have to live in the shit you've created
You'll have to live in the shit you've created
You'll have to live in the shit you've created

credits

released December 29, 2020
Luke Miller- lead vocal / bass
Richard Dev Greene - guitars / backing vocals
Danny Vozzo - drums

original drum tracks recorded at Platinum Island 1985
guitar, bass & vocals recorded by Graham Stone at Stone Studios 2020
mixed at Hobo Sound by James Frazee & Richard Dev Greene
mastered by Kim Rosen
cover art by Mike Joyce

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PALE MOON GANG New York, New York

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