The first and best wave of L.A. punk bands from 1977-1979 all broke up under-documented and unsigned, with the exception of X, the Germs, and, to a lesser extent, the Plugz. But the legacy of incredible pioneers such as the Weirdos, Dils, Controllers, and Screamers was the wide success of the harder, faster, younger bands that followed. The interest the 1977 bands awakened not only inspired the formation of Black Flag, Circle Jerks, T.S.O.L., Social Distortion, {$Agent O...   [ read more ]

CD $13.28

The first album by the reformed Adolescents (the group had split after their 1981 debut) finds most of the original band reunited, with the exception of Alfie Agnew standing in for his brother Frank Agnew on second guitar, behind singer Tony Cadena and lead guitarist/primary songwriter Rikk Agnew. Much had changed on the hardcore scene since the band's 1982 split, however, and Brats in Battalions finds the group foundering a bit as they try to decide which of the several available frag...   [ read more ]

CD $14.23

There are those who feel that an Adolescents record without Tony Cadena (aka Tony Adolescent, Tony Montana and, later in the reformed ADZ, Tony Reflex) isn't worthy of the name, but 1988's Balboa Funzone is entertaining despite his absence. Guitarist Rikk Agnew and bassist Steve Soto take on vocal and songwriting duties, separately, giving the album an appealingly varied sound that ranges from the anthemic rocker "Just Like Before," to the engagingly loose, Johnny Thunders-...   [ read more ]

CD $14.23