The Adolescents
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The Adolescents were a punk band formed in 1980 in Fullerton, California.
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History
The Adolescents were formed by Steve Soto after leaving Agent Orange in December 1979. The original line-up was led by frontman Tony Cadena, with Steve Soto on bass, Frank Agnew on guitar, John O'Donovan on guitar and Peter Pan on drums. Both John & Peter left in June and were replaced by Rikk Agnew and Casey Royer formerly of Social Distortion & The Detours respectively. The band created fast, energetic music that was at the forefront of the Orange County punk scene.
Later that year, the group released the classic hardcore single "Amoeba" on Posh Boy Records. The track also appeared on the Rodney on the ROQ compilation, assembled by L.A. DJ Rodney Bingenheimer.
The Adolescents signed with Frontier Records in January 1981 and recorded The Adolescents the following month. It quickly became one of the best-selling California hardcore albums behind the Dead Kennedys' Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables. Despite this Rikk Agnew left and was replaced by Pat Smear formerly of the Germs went on to Nirvana and the Foo Fighters. This line up lasted until the end of June when Pat left.
The Adolescents broke up in August 1981. Tony formed the Abandoned, Steve & Frank joined Legal Weapon, Casey formed D.I. and Rikk joined Christian Death after his departure.
Rikk Agnew made his solo album in 1983 then joined D.I. with Alfie Agnew Frank and Rikk's younger brother.
In 1986 The Adolescents reformed with their original line-up and started to work on a new album. Before recording Casey and Frank left the band. Casey had wanted to keep D.I. going, and Frank lost interest. Sandy Hansen took Casey's place on drums and Alfie took Frank's place on guitar. They recorded Brats in Battalions in the late summer.The record came out in August 1987 due to the band deciding to produce and release the album themselves with little cash or backing.
At the end of 1986 Alfie went to college and his place taken by Dan Coburn by the end of the year Tony and Dan left.
In 1988 Rikk and Steve decided to replace Dan with Paul Casey and start singing themselves. Paul left after four months and Frank replaced him on guitar, aftering touring the band recorded Balboa Fun Zone.
The Adolescents broke up in April 1989. Steve, Sandy and Frank started Joyride and Rikk did a couple of solo albums.
The band regrouped to tour for the 20th anniversary of their self-titled album in 2001 and have continued to perform.
Previous Members
- Alfie Agnew (Guitar 1987)
- Frank Agnew (Guitar 1980-89)
- Rikk Agnew (Guitar 1980-89)
- Jeff Beans (Bass 1982)
- Tony Cadena (Vocals 1980-89)
- Dan Colburn (Guitar 1987-89)
- John O'Donovan (Guitar 1980)
- Sandy Hansen (Drums 1987-89)
- Rick Herschbeth (Guitar 1982)
- Peter Pan (Drums 1980)
- Paul (Guitar 1988-89)
- Steve Roberts (Guitar 1981-82)
- Casey Royer (Guitar 1980-87)
- Pat Smear (Guitar 1981)
- Steve Soto (Bass 1980-89)
Current Members
Discography
- The Adolescents (1981)
- Brats in Battalions (1987)
- Balboa Fun Zone (1988)
- Live 1981 and 1986 (1989)
- Return to the Black Hole (live) (1997)
- Complete Demos 1980-1986 (2005)
Links
- Official Adolescents Website (http://www.theadolescents.net)