Bad Religion has become synonymous with intelligent and provocative West Coast punk rock and are considered one of the most influential and important bands in the genre. Over the past three decades the band has continually pushed social boundaries and questioned authority and beliefs armed only with propulsive guitars, charging drumbeats, thoughtful lyrics and an undying will to inspire and provoke anyone who will listen. The Gray Race is the ninth full-length album by Bad Religion, which was originally released in 1996. It was the follow-up to the band's highly successful 1994 album Stranger Than Fiction.