After the band released Die For the Government in 1996, Andy Flag left due to personal issues with Justin and Pat (they would later reconcile).

Later that year, Jamie "Cock" Towns joined as the new bass player, allowing Chris to move to rhythm guitar (which he preferred).

The lyrics cover a wide variety of topics including abortion, corruption, police brutality, racism, fascism, and unity within the American Youth.

Tearing Everyone Down and Captain Anarchy continue the themes from Die for the Government of criticizing the "fake jock punks" who were ruining the scene at the time.

Got the Numbers is one of the heavier songs on the album, and features pounding drums from Pat and fast-paced bass playing by Chris 2.

I Don't Believe is similar to songs from Die for the Government in that it questions the wave of nationalism throughout the country as a result of the Gulf War.

What You Don't Know questions the secret nature politicians engage in that results in US laws and policy, presumably without input from the American people.

Outbreak references the Lewinsky Scandal and the bombing of Iraq, similarly to the title track and asks "Who is the real terrorist?".

An early version of the song appeared on the A-F Records cassette This Is East Coast Punk, and featured a spoken intro by Sane.

It's a mournful, slow song featuring Justin playing guitar by himself, similar to folk-punk artist Billy Bragg.

The song addresses the flaws of capitalism, and calls for people to watch where they spend their money, as their buying habits "support abuse in the third world scene".

Some of the songs featured guests, including former bass player Jamie "Cock" Towns, Azi Masladahan, Hoss, Mike Poyzle, Reagan Squad, Jim Weber, and Neil Linn.

The album features a drawing by Justin's sister, Lucy, that parodies the famous flag image at Iwo Jima during World War II for the cover.

Greg Ross, the label owner, was friends with Pat and offered to sign the band to release the album.

They later revealed that the album was originally scheduled for an April release date, but it got pushed back to May because the CD wasn't ready.

He offered to release it on Honest Don's Records, the subsidiary for Fat, but the band declined, viewing it as a "second-tier label".