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.
Growing Up Today
Adolescents Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Out on sidewalks begging for dimes
My generation fucked up by inflation
Economy is shit and I think I ought to quit
It's so hard growing up today
Should have it better in the USA
So why are things at home so bad?
Listen to the things I say?
Why can't I ever have things my way?
I can't stand hanging around my home
Nag and nag why don't they leave me alone
Mom says I'm free to leave when I please
But a life out there will never be
as easy as it seems
The lyrics of Adolescents' song Growing Up Today depict the struggles faced by troubled youth in modern society. The first two lines speak of how out of work youths are forced to turn to crime, while others are seen begging for money on sidewalks. The second line talks about the impact of inflation on the current generation, which has left a negative impact on the economy. The third line speaks of a disillusioned youth, who thinks the situation is so bad that they have to quit.
The chorus of the song stresses the difficulty of growing up in today's world. The lyrics wonder why things are so bad when the country is supposed to be the land of opportunity. The singer questions why their parents won't listen to them or let them have their way. They feel like they are at odds with their family, and it is challenging to survive in such an environment. The verse ends with the singer feeling like they cannot stand being in their home and that the easy way forward would be to leave.
Line by Line Meaning
Out of work troubled youth turn to crime
When young people can't find work, they often become frustrated and may turn to illegal activities
Out on sidewalks begging for dimes
Unemployed youth sometimes resort to begging on the streets for spare change
My generation fucked up by inflation
The economic conditions of inflation have made things harder for young people, contributing to their struggles
Economy is shit and I think I ought to quit
The state of the economy is so bad that I feel like giving up on trying to succeed in life
It's so hard growing up today
Life as a young person in today's world is extremely challenging
Should have it better in the USA
I expected life in the United States to offer more opportunities
So why are things at home so bad?
Despite living in a prosperous nation, my home life is still plagued with problems
Why won't mom and dad
I don't understand why my parents refuse to listen to me
Listen to the things I say?
I feel like my voice and opinions are not being heard or taken seriously
Why can't I ever have things my way?
I feel like I have no control over my own life and choices
I can't stand hanging around my home
I am so frustrated with being cooped up at home all the time
Nag and nag why don't they leave me alone
My parents won't stop bothering me and it's driving me crazy
Mom says I'm free to leave when I please
My mother has given me permission to leave home at any time
But a life out there will never be
However, I know that my life out in the world will be just as difficult and challenging as it is now
Contributed by Emma H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Selkirk Draws
Fire track..awesome punk!