This Record Changed My Life: Chris Shiflett

Bad Religion | Suffer

There have been so many records that have changed my life throughout the years, but one that comes to mind would be Bad Religion, Suffer. I remember the day that my buddy Joey brought that over to my house and we put it on and listened to it.

That, to me, was a game-changer when it came out. It was punk rock, but at the time it just seemed different. It was really the first time I think I’d ever heard a punk band that was current, you know? When I was in high school, all the punk rock stuff I liked was old and out of date. I liked The Clash, The Damned, Stiff Little Fingers, The Jam, and X – shit like that. It was a fair few years older, and when Suffer came out – I think it was around 1987, 1988 [1988]– that was the first time I ever felt like I was… current. With punk rock, at least. I don’t think it made me want to play [punk rock], it just made me want to break shit. I just loved what it did to me.

Later this month, we’ll publish a full-length interview with Chris, spanning his Bay Area punk scene days, joining the Foo Fighters, playing punked-up novelty covers, and his new country record, All Hat and No Cattle. (out August 2 through Shock)