Meaning of "Piss and Vinegar" by Against Me!

The lyrics of "Piss and Vinegar" by Against Me! highlight the narrator's disdain for the artificiality and superficiality that often surrounds the music industry. The opening lines touch on the band's attempts to create buzz through media exposure and marketing strategies, but the narrator remains unimpressed, stating that none of it evokes any genuine emotion within them. They express a desire for honesty, even if it means saying something that may not be well-received or mainstream.

The narrator then turns their attention to the band itself, emphasizing that they do not view the members as bad people, but rather disapprove of their aesthetic and image. They call for mutual respect and straightforwardness, suggesting that a more confrontational approach would be appreciated. By urging the band to say what they truly think, the narrator rejects the idea of sugarcoating opinions or conforming to a more palatable narrative.

Overall, "Piss and Vinegar" can be seen as a critique of the calculated and contrived nature of the music industry. The narrator values authenticity and directness, rejecting the need for pandering and playing it safe. The song serves as a call-out for artists to stay true to themselves and express their genuine thoughts and feelings, even if it means going against the grain.