I recently had the chance during NAMM to catch up with OG Adolescents and current Narcoleptic Youth guitarist JOD to discuss what it was like being part of the first Orange wave to invade the LA scene, what the future holds and the release of Agnew
Being part of the Adolescents and the first wave of OC punk playing LA what was the initial reception like?
When we started playing, there were hardly punks around, much less punk bands. At first, we would play parties and whatever gigs we could get. These gigs, more often than not, would end in fights or some kind of violence.
The high school I went to was a big “football jock” school. Most of my friends were either the guys on the swim/water polo team, who were mostly all from the beach and big fans of the Crowd, or the people I knew from punk rock parties or gigs. We were asked to play a lunchtime student council assembly. Once we started to play, the jocks got up (obviously planned ahead of time) and started walking out. Tony started yelling at them and threw the mic stand in their direction. That was answered with a barrage of lunches our way. Frank and I ducked behind our amps and poor Steve took the brunt of bananas, milk, sandwiches, and more. It turned into a riot, basically. The funniest part of that story is, at the next student council election, one of the candidates promised “No more punk rock concerts at lunch!” and the crowd went wild!
One of the first “LA” clubs we started to play at regularly was The Fleetwood in Redondo Beach. We played several times with the Circle Jerks, but also The Germs, Fear, and the like. There was never not some kind of police action and blood there. The slam pit there, and at most places in those days, was a place you’d rather not be. There was none of this “Her bro, let me help pick you up!”. It was every man for himself and pretty violent.
What were you favorite LA clubs back then?
We were really an OC product, so I’ve got to say the Cuckoo’s Nest was one. Jerry was the real deal and threw gasoline on that original fire we were starting. The Nest, like The Fleetwood, was not a place where everyone was welcome to “dance” in the pit. It was more like one of those barroombrawls you see in Western movies.
The Fleetwood, too, was a favorite. It was basically an emptied out supermarket on the waterfront.
How has the scene evolved?
The playing has definitely improved, which is not to say there weren’t amazing musicians around back then.
It has also somewhat democratized with the rise of digital audio and video, although I think that may be much less a factor in our scene, cos we were pretty DIY from the start.
In the early days, at least around here, punk rock was kind of a refuge for the misfits, people who were sick of the “Stairway ToHeaven’s” and “Yes” albums, weirdos, artists, and even the mentally ill. Pretty much everyone was welcome in our “us-against-the world” mentality. The today’s “evolved” scene will never have a conception that. Hearing Johnny Ramone on that first album when the alternative to that point had been Lynard Skynyrd. Saving you money to buy “Give Em Enough Rope” cos that first Clash album blew your mind. Staying up late to listen to Rodney On The Roq cos he was the only place on air that played anything punk. Probably any early scene is like that, but it is amazing where we are even around today. We played an all ages sold out show last weekend and I saw so many people having the time of their lives, from little kids with ear protection to and older lady who thanked me because, although she had “been to hundreds of concerts” this was her first punk one and she loved it. Very different from blood and police every night…
The Blue album has become a staple in the genre, which song is your favorite to play?
“Kids” may be my favorite because, on top of being literally about us, it is brilliantly written. When Rikk and Casey came over from the Detours, they brought a musical sophistication, for lack of a better word, that wasn’t there before. “Kids” has the dynamics, the harmonies, and the advanced structure that kind of summed up the best of the musicality of the scene. Rikk perfectly nailed the octave over fifths harmony like no one had. Musically, you could say the same for “Amoeba”, but “Kids” take it for me ‘cos we literally were the KOTBH. They are all a blast to play because I truly feel that the songs and the sequencing work together to bring you back to those days like very few others, which is great even if just for the evening.
“Kids of the Black Hole” means what to you?
KOTBH is kind of symbolic of those early days of Fullerton punk rock. It was a place we could hang out with like minded people, all there for their own reasons, and do what we wanted, for better or worse. Despite the amount of people that “were there. In reality, there were very few. The original BH was next door to the one referenced in the song. Mike’s mom lived there. There was a couch, a record player, and a Pistols and a Clash poster. We used to hang out and learn songs there. Mike actually taught me that lead to “Anarchy In The Uk” on that couch! Before too long, Mike’s Mom got sick of all the lurkers at every hour and Mike moved to the apartment next door, the Black Hole. Once that happened, it wasn’t too long before Fullerton PD was on to us.
When you were in the Yeastie Boys, many clubs banned booking the band. How did that alter the course of the band?
It really didn’t. There were so many clubs that loved us. We brought the party and that meant lots of booze sales! YB founder, Dirt Clown, was moving out of state and that was the end of that. Around that time, Casey and I had recorded a couple things together and were discussing doing the Radolescents. Things picked up very quickly after our firtstgig, so I would have had to leave anyways.
How did joining Narcoleptic Youth happen?
I’ve known the NY guys for some time through playing gigs together over the years and always got along when we hung out. Jason (NY guitar) and I often found ourselves us doing guitarstuff of some kind, playing them, bullshitting about them, watching You Tube videos about them, etc.
Someone mentioned that maybe I should learn a certain set list, so I did. When the word came, we had a couple rehearsals, the first gig and it went well, and here we are. It seemed to me like the band was pretty business-like, which I can totally respect, cos that’s how I handle things too.
The Agnew film is an important story for the scene in my opinion, why do you feel it is? How long have you known the family?
I’ve known the Agnew’s since probably 1978 or so. Rikk was a little older than me and already legendary in the early punk and pre-punk Fullerton scene. He had been in and out of SD, Mechanics, Naughty Women, you name it. Frank was a couple years younger than me and also kindalegendary in his ability to play anything and play it perfectly. When Steve decided to leave Agent Orange, he and I were working together and he hit me up to join him in this new band. Frank on guitar was a no-brainer. Steve knew Tony better than Frank and I, so that’s how we started.
Alfie, I came to know later, as he was quite a bit younger than I and he also wasn’t around for a bit cos he was busy becoming a doctor!
The Agnew story is a story that hasn’t been told and it really should be. In the small pond that is OC, everyone knows about the Agnew’s but, if you think about the big ocean of the rest of the world, probably not so much. If three brothers that are that talented and have accomplished so much isn’t a compelling story, I don’t know what is!
What’s a story or an unknown fact of the Agnew brothers?
Radolescents singer Frankie (Frank Sr’s son) was not born when the Blue album was released.
Alfie and his team discovered proof that black holes (ironic, huh?) generate gravitational waves (or something like that)
What’s bands you shared a show with are you surprised didn’t blow up or become more well known?
The one I’m most surprised didn’t blow up was The Mechanics. These guys did not have a bad song. Too punk for rock and too rock for punk, they were probably ahead of their time. Tim Racca (guitar) really developed that octave over power chord thing that so many attempt, but don’t realize need good songwriting to complete the puzzle. Sandy their drummer, now with Agent Orange, could play with any touring/recording band he wanted, you name it. Scott had the perfect voice, phrasing and lyrics for those killer tunes.
For that matter, why isn’t Agent Orange bigger than they are?
What’s bands are you listening to now? Looking on my iTunes and see the latest on the history
Amyl and the Sniffers: At first, I didn’t get them, but I gave it a second chance and now I’m listening to every album all the way through. Love the energy and attitude.
The Wildhearts: Heard them described as Metallica meets Cheap Trick. Kinda. They put out a lot of material, the least of which is pretty good, the best of which is mind blowing.
The Skulls: Dug back into these guys since we’re playing with them this year at the Dr Strange Summer thing. This is what a punk rock band should sound like.
The Damned: Not really digging the new one, but Darkadelic is amazing and I’m happy to say that about a band who had so many classic albums so long ago. Got to hang out with them in San Francisco when I went up there with openers, The Detours last year.
Gojira: I’m fascinated how that guy makes that weird guitar squawk thing.
Earth: Never heard of them and don’t know anything about them, but read that their album “Hex; Or Printing in the Infernal Method” was inspired by one of my favorite books Cormac Macarthy’s Blood Meridian. Very atmospheric. If you’re in the mood, it’s perfect.