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.
Welcome to Reality
Adolescents Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
blood so deep the horse must hold his head up high
in the valley of deceision third of the world wiil die
beat your hoes and plows into axes and spears
as the armys meet in a battle they predict for years
[Chorus]
let the weak say im a warrior bring down the warrior
your faith is hopeless
[Verse 2]
the prophets and the psychics and the military agree
continual world war crisis leads us straight to world war three
roll the red carpet let the angel of death ride in
to the valley of the valley of decesion let the mayhem begin
[Chorus]
[Verse 3]
apocalyptic madness two thirds of the world in sadness
the other third is gone but sadness lingers on
troubled citys and an aftermath of hate no way to stop them cause now its too late
the antichrists mission done
the dead are the only lucky ones
your decesion make a decesion the decesion in the valley its too late
welcome welcome to reality
welcome welcome to reality
make a decesion cause you've got no choice
The lyrics of Adolescents’ song “Welcome to Reality” can be interpreted as a warning about the possibility of a third world war, and the devastating consequences that it would bring to humanity. The first verse describes a bloody battle, where the stakes are high and the outcome is predicted to be catastrophic. The imagery of a horse holding its head up high in the midst of deep blood is haunting, and creates a sense of impending doom.
The chorus seems to criticize those who put on a show of being strong and invincible, while their faith is actually hopeless. The song then continues with a warning that experts in different fields, from prophets to military strategists, believe that we are headed towards a crisis that will lead to a third world war, which will then create massive destruction and loss of life. The lines “let the mayhem begin” create a sense of helplessness towards the impending catastrophe.
The final verse of the song describes the aftermath of a world war, where two-thirds of the world is in sadness, and troubled cities are left with an aftermath of hate. The antichrist is mentioned as a possible cause of the catastrophe, and there is a sense of inevitability as the lyrics state “there’s no way to stop them cause now it’s too late.” The song ends with the invitation to welcome reality and make decisions because there is no other choice. Overall, the song is a sobering and insightful commentary on the state of the world and a warning to be mindful of the consequences of violence and conflict.
Line by Line Meaning
blood so deep the horse must hold his head up high
The level of violence and conflict is so great that it affects and overwhelms even the animals.
in the valley of deceision third of the world wiil die
The situation is so critical that the fate of a large portion of the world's population is at stake.
beat your hoes and plows into axes and spears
The peaceful tools used for agriculture must be converted into weapons for the impending war.
as the armys meet in a battle they predict for years
The war has been expected and planned for a long time, but it does not make it any less catastrophic.
let the weak say im a warrior bring down the warrior
Even those who are considered powerless can find strength and courage to fight against the oppressors and the powerful.
let the faithless regain faith
Those who have lost their faith in humanity and in themselves can still find hope and believe again.
your faith is hopeless
The idea that things will just magically get better without any effort or action is foolish and unrealistic.
the prophets and the psychics and the military agree
People from different backgrounds and professions have all come to the same frightening conclusion.
continual world war crisis leads us straight to world war three
The pattern of constant wars and conflicts is leading inevitably to an even greater, more catastrophic global war.
roll the red carpet let the angel of death ride in
The welcoming of a force that represents death and destruction is a sign of just how dire the situation has become.
to the valley of the valley of decesion let the mayhem begin
The place where the final decision will be made is also where the bloodiest and most chaotic battle will take place.
apocalyptic madness two thirds of the world in sadness
The scale and severity of the destruction and suffering is on a level that can only be described as the end of the world.
the other third is gone but sadness lingers on
Even those who have not died still feel the weight of the loss and the impact of the destruction.
troubled citys and an aftermath of hate no way to stop them cause now its too late
The damage has already been done and there is very little hope of repairing the broken relationships and communities.
the antichrists mission done
The forces of evil have won and achieved their goal of causing destruction and chaos.
the dead are the only lucky ones
Death is seen as a relief from the constant violence, suffering, and despair.
your decesion make a decesion the decesion in the valley its too late
The time for making a choice has passed and the only option left is to face the consequences of inaction and indecision.
welcome welcome to reality
The harsh truth of the situation can no longer be ignored or denied.
make a decesion cause you've got no choice
Even if the available options are all unpleasant, there is still a need to take action and make a choice.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: FRANK AGNEW, STEVE SOTO, TONY BRANDENBURG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
CR
on No Way
I perceive the "No ass, no head" lyrics to mean no sex, no blowjobs(head) hence the "gotta go home and jack off instead"