Later that year, the group released the classic hardcore single "Amoeba" on Posh Boy Records. The Adolescents signed with Frontier Records in January 1981 and recorded The Adolescents the following month. Rikk Agnew left and was replaced by Pat Smear, formerly of The Germs. This line up lasted until the end of June when Smear left.
The Adolescents broke up in August 1981. Cadena formed The Abandoned, Soto and Agnew joined Legal Weapon, Royer formed D.I. and Agnew 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. 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.
The Adolescents broke up in April 1989.
The band regrouped to tour for the 20th anniversary of their self-titled album in 2001 and have continued to perform.
The Adolescents have a new release out on Finger Records, O.C. Confidential in 2005. Finger Records is owned and run by Mel Schantz out of Orange County, California.
The Adolescents toured in support of OC Confidential, but Frank Agnew left the band in 2006. Rotating through as the band's live guitarists over the next few years were Matt Beld, Joe Harrison, and Soto's former Joyride bandmate Mike McKnight. O'Brien left the band in 2008 and was replaced by Armando Del Rio. Reflex and Soto became the band's sole constant members and primary songwriters from this point forward, and signed the Adolescents to German label Concrete Jungle Records. A split EP with the band Burning Heads was released in 2009. For the band's next album, 2011's The Fastest Kid Alive, the lineup was Reflex, Soto, Del Rio, McKnight, and Harrison. The band also contributed a cover version of the Runaways' "School Days" to the tribute album Take It or Leave It: A Tribute to the Queens of Noise that year.
Dan Root took Harrison's guitar position in 2012, and the Adolescents released the American Dogs in Europe EP in conjunction with a European tour. This was followed by the band's sixth studio album, Presumed Insolent (2013). Del Rio was replaced by Mike Cambra, and McKnight by Leroy Merlin, for 2014's La Vendetta..., which was given a North American release the following year by Frontier Records. Hot War, a split EP with Russian band Svetlanas, followed in 2015, containing one song from Presumed Insolent and one from La Vendetta... The Adolescents' most recent studio album, Manifest Density, was released July 8, 2016 by Concrete Jungle, with Ian Taylor taking Merlin's place as rhythm guitarist.
Brats In Battalions
Adolescents Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We fight
Does might
Make right?
Brats in battalions
Brats in battalions
We fight
Does might
Make right?
Does might make right in this world friends?
It's justified as a means to an end -
Power mad, can't accept defeat,
Revenge is bitter and the taste is so sweet!
Brats - Brats - Brats in battalions [x4]
Brats in battalions
Brats in battalions
Tonight
We fight
Does might
Make right?
Law of the jungle and acts of aggression
You glorify war, ignore the situation -
Children with toy guns will roam,
Then they grow up and kill at home!
Brats in battalions
Brats in battalions
Tonight
We fight
Does might
Make right?
Does might make right in this world friends?
It's justified as a means to an end -
Power mad, can't accept defeat,
Revenge is bitter and the taste is so sweet!
Brats - Brats - Brats in battalions [x4]
Brats in battalions
Brats in battalions
The Adolescents' song "Brats In Battalions" is a commentary on the culture of violence and war, particularly as it relates to the glorification of aggression and the idea that might makes right. The chorus, "Brats in battalions," refers to the idea of soldiers who are obedient and unquestioning, following orders without considering the morality or consequences of their actions. The first verse questions the idea of using force to establish dominance, asking whether might or strength is the only way to achieve what is right, or if there is a more just or ethical approach to conflict resolution.
The second verse specifically addresses the glorification of war and violence in our culture, particularly in the way that it affects children. The lyrics mention toy guns and children playing at being soldiers, suggesting that this obsession with aggression begins at an early age. The verse ends with a warning that these violent tendencies can follow us into adulthood, leading to domestic violence or other forms of harm.
The song overall is a critique of the way that we prioritize power, dominance, and strength over empathy, compassion, and understanding. It questions the morality of using violence to achieve goals, and suggests that this approach ultimately leads to bitterness, revenge, and destruction. It is a call to resist the culture of violence and to seek more just and peaceful ways of resolving conflicts.
Line by Line Meaning
Tonight
The current night
We fight
We engage in hostile confrontation with an opposing force
Does might
Using strength and power
Make right?
Is it the correct way to approach a situation?
Brats in battalions
Arrogant, undisciplined youth organized in military-like groups
Brats in battalions
Arrogant, undisciplined youth organized in military-like groups
Does might make right in this world friends?
Is it justifiable to use power and force to achieve one's aims?
It's justified as a means to an end -
The use of force can be rationalized if it achieves a desired outcome
Power mad, can't accept defeat,
Those obsessed with power cannot handle losing
Revenge is bitter and the taste is so sweet!
Retribution is an alluring temptation
Brats - Brats - Brats in battalions [x4]
Arrogant, undisciplined youth organized in military-like groups (repeated four times)
Law of the jungle and acts of aggression
A reference to the principle of 'survival of the fittest' and aggressive behavior
You glorify war, ignore the situation -
People often idealize war while overlooking its actual realities
Children with toy guns will roam,
Kids playing with toy weapons in their youth
Then they grow up and kill at home!
In adulthood, they are likely to engage in violence against others, potentially on their own soil
Contributed by Caleb O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
DanBass
Underrated album.
Toyota Kawasaki
What makes you believe it's underrated?
B A
I don't know if this band has 4 or 5 guys, but the musicality is phenomenal. Consider that I think the members are teens and twenty-somethings. Yes, young people are creative and innovative, but the lyrics and the mastery of different types of music leave you in a good mood.
axolotl mischief
Standard punk is typically 3-4 piece. Some only have a single guitarist, others have two.
Alexandre Campos
Em 1993 eu possuí esse LP!
John Galt
This is so damn good.
Yuppie Cake
This is a pretty good album, and very different from their first. It's like a higher speed Clash album or something.
Cold Daze
Its not the 'blue album' , but its still a good punk album
AUDIODIDACTS
Thanxxx for the upload, man...! really cool album... I haven't listen to it for years...! I have this vinyl album too and if anybody wants to buy it, so feel free to contact me...! Cheers from Cologne, Germany!
Luca Realini
legend punk of California. love this band. with tsol,45 grave.