If you’re into punk rock much at all, you probably know who Greg Graffin is. If you’re not, he’s the singer and co-founder of 35-year-old legendary punk band Bad Religion.

What you might not have known about Graffin is that he also received his Ph.D. from (and is now a lecturer at) Cornell University. Sure, Bad Religion has always been among the most thought-provoking and intelligent punk bands, but they might be the only group fronted by someone with a doctorate. Of course, Graffin is probably also the only college professor who spends the rest of his time touring the world with a punk rock band, particularly considering that his academic expertise isn’t anywhere near the music industry.

Before Graffin goes on a small tour to promote his new book, Population Wars, Myspace woke up ungodly early to catch up with.the academic rocker right before the band performed a set in Italy to talk Bad Religion, evolution, and everything in between. 

How would you explain Population Wars to someone who is only familiar with Bad Religion?

It’s basically a proposed worldview that says competition isn’t as important as it was thought to be to determine who is the dominant species at a given time. It comes as a shock to much of America that it’s not necessarily about competition, but a lot of the historical context and the organisms around them that make them who they are.

How would you break that down for someone who knows nothing about evolutionary biology?

Have you ever considered who you as a person are? There are millions of cells living on your body that are bacteria, and they’re complementing a healthy lifestyle. You’re living with an entire community of organisms that are as necessary for you as much as you are to them—not just for your digestion, but also for your mental state.

Obviously, your books and academic work are a bit of a departure from Bad Religion, but are they similar in some ways?

Bad Religion started 35 years ago when we were kids, and we decided it would be an artistic and intelligent journey. I find a great parallel between the two—it’s not schizophrenic at all. I think a lot of people who like Bad Religion like the artistic and intelligent aspect of it.

You say it’s not schizophrenic at all, but is it ever difficult to balance your work with Bad Religion with your work in the academic world? Not a whole lot of punk rockers are Ivy League lecturers with Ph.D.s. 

I’ve always been juggling academics and the band. When getting my Ph.D., my advisors were very understanding and my bandmates were very understanding. They still are. It took me longer to get it, but I knew I had to do it because it was my calling in life. I’m not one to question it. I wanted to be in those conversations with academics, and I realized I needed a PhD to be in them.

You talk a lot about evolution, so how has Bad Religion evolved over the last 35 years?

We’ve definitely become better musicians and songwriters. We’re much more refined. Because we started so young, the band is really a record of my life. 

What’s next for you and Bad Religion?

Well, we have to finish this European tour, then I’ve got six shows for the book. Those will be where I formally introduce the book and play some live music with the guitarist from my solo band. I’ll be teaching in the fall at Cornell, and we’re looking to make a Bad Religion album for next year. Oh, and I think I’m due for a new solo album soon, since I put out one every 10 years or so.