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.
Word Attack
Adolescents Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No I'm not afraid - stop/won't
But I sometimes wonder - fight/win
What is on your mind - back
[Chorus]
The gun in your hand is the gun at my head
The gun in your hand is the gun at my head
The gun in your hand is gonna kill me dead
We'll attack, we'll attack
We'll attack, we'll attack
We'll attack, we'll attack
We'll attack, we'll attack
Got me running into walls - don't/they
Say good things - stop/won't
Say bad things - fight/win
Because you're unpredictable - back
[Chorus]
Do you want to die - no
Do you want to die - no
Do you want to die - no
I don't want to die
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Adolescents's song Word Attack seem to be a commentary on the state of society, where people are constantly living in fear, and violence is prevalent. The opening lines, "I'm not paranoid - don't/they, No, I'm not afraid - stop/won't," suggest that the singer isn't scared of anything, but also acknowledges that they are aware of the dangers that exist around them. The line, "But I sometimes wonder - fight/win, what is on your mind - back," implies that the singer is trying to decipher the intentions of those around them, who might be harboring violent thoughts or intentions.
The chorus, "The gun in your hand is the gun at my head, The gun in your hand is gonna kill me dead," is a powerful statement that captures the essence of the song. The singer seems to be frustrated with the lack of action from those in power, who are not doing enough to address the issue of gun violence. The lyrics, "We'll attack, we'll attack," seem to suggest that the only way to stop this cycle of violence is to take matters into one's own hands and fight back.
Overall, the song seems to be a reflection of the societal tensions and fears that exist around us, and offers a message of resilience in the face of adversity. It's a powerful musical statement that urges listeners to take action and fight for change.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not paranoid - don't/they
I am not delusional, although I feel like someone may be scheming against me.
No I'm not afraid - stop/won't
I refuse to live in fear and will not allow anyone to intimidate me.
But I sometimes wonder - fight/win
Despite my confidence, I still contemplate the intentions of those around me and how I will react if necessary.
What is on your mind - back
I am curious about what thoughts and motives are hidden in the minds of others.
The gun in your hand is the gun at my head
The potential harm and danger that lies in the hands of others can ultimately be used against me.
The gun in your hand is gonna kill me dead
If the power and control isn't taken away from those who possess weapons, it will ultimately result in deadly consequences.
We'll attack, we'll attack
We must take a stand and fight back against those who seek to harm us.
Got me running into walls - don't/they
The manipulation and unpredictability of others can throw me off balance and cause me to feel trapped.
Say good things - stop/won't
Those who hold the power often refuse to acknowledge or praise the good in others.
Say bad things - fight/win
The same people who refuse to acknowledge the good in others will go to great lengths to spread negativity and cause harm.
Because you're unpredictable - back
The unpredictability of others is what makes them a significant threat and causes me to pause and retreat.
Do you want to die - no
Both sides of the conflict do not ultimately seek to end up dead.
I don't want to die
Despite fear and uncertainty, the singer desires to live and fight for what is right.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: RIKK AGNEW, 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"