Agent Orange was formed in Placentia, California in 1979 by guitarist Mike Palm, a musical omnivore whose early influences included vintage surf music, heavy metal, and '50s and '60s rock. Emboldened by the rise of punk rock, Palm began consolidating his tastes into a meld that fused the style of classic sounds with the impact and velocity of punk. Teaming with bassist Steve Soto and drummer Scott Miller, Palm assembled the first edition of Agent Orange (the name was a dual reference to the notorious defoliant used by the United States military in Vietnam and the group's home in California's Orange County). In 1980, the trio self-released their debut single, "Bloodstains" b/w "America" and "Bored of You." Thanks to frequent spins on Bingenheimer's KROQ radio show, "Bloodstains" became a favorite in the Southern California punk community, and the band struck a deal with the independent Posh Boy label to cut their first full-length album, 1981's Living in Darkness. By the time Agent Orange cut the LP, Steve Soto had left the group to form the Adolescents, and James Levesque took over on bass. Living in Darkness spread the word about the band's skate-friendly surf/punk sound, and Posh Boy pulled a single from the album, "Everything Turns Gray," backed with a revved-up cover of the Chantays' "Pipeline." 1982 saw the release of Bitchin' Summer, a four-song EP featuring covers of four classic surf instrumentals.
In 1983, Agent Orange jumped from Posh Boy to a larger and better distributed indie, Enigma Records, and brought out the EP When You Least Expect It, which featured two originals and two covers, including their take on Jefferson Airplane's "Somebody to Love." While Agent Orange remained active as a live band, it would be three years before they released another recording, their second full-length album, 1986's This Is the Voice, which boasted slicker production and a poppier sound than their previous efforts. Agent Orange were never an especially prolific recording act, and it would be 1991 before another album appeared, a live recording titled Real Live Sound. During the downtime between This Is the Voice and Real Live Sound, Scott Miller and James Levesque both left the group, and bassist Brent Liles and drummer Derek O'Brien signed on. In 1991, O'Brien dropped out, and Scotty Lund took over behind the drums, while Sam Bolle preplaced Liles on bass in 1992. In 1996, Agent Orange released their third studio album, Virtually Indestructible, released by the Gunka Disc label. The album featured drummer Charlie Quintana (formerly of the Plugz and Social Distortion) taking over for Scotty Lund, though Steve Latanation would step in after Quintana's departure in 1997.
In 2000, Agent Orange returned with Greatest & Latest, which collected live and studio recordings of original songs as well as tunes from their back catalog. The album was reissued in 2004 as Blood Stained Hitz, and was recycled again in 2008 as Surfing to Some F#*ked Up S@!t, with the addition of a cover of Metallica's "Seek and Destroy." In 2004, there was another turnover in the rhythm section with the arrival of bassist Bruce Taylor and drummer Dusty Watson. In 2006, bassist Perry Giordano came on board after Taylor moved on, and Dave Klein succeeded Watson as drummer in 2009. In 2003, Agent Orange's Enigma Records material was reissued in a two-CD set titled Sonic Snake Session. Liles died in 2007 after being hit by a truck, Levesque passed in 2014, and Quintana lost his life after struggling with emphysema and heart disease in 2018.
Biography by Mark Deming
Members
Mike Palm : Vocals & Guitars (1979 - Present)
Steve Soto : Bass & Vocals (1979-1980)
James Levesque : Bass & Vocals (1980 - 1988)
Brent Liles : Bass & Vocals (1989 - 1995)
Sam Bolle : Bass & Vocals (1996 - 2005)
Perry Gx : Bass & Vocals (2006 - Present)
Scott Miller : Drums & Vocals (1979 - 1988)
Derek O'Brien : Drums & Vocals (1989 - 1995)
Charles Quintana : Drums & Vocals (1996 - 1998)
Dusty Watson : Drums (1999 - 2000)
Steve Latanation : Drums (2000 - 2005)
Dave Klein : Drums (2009 - Present)
Albums
Living in Darkness 1980
When You Least Expect It 1984
This Is The Voice 1986
Real Live Sound 1990
Virtually Indestructible 1996
This That-n-The Other Thing 2000
There are other artists with the same name:
Dutch Agent Orange
The second Agent Orange was a Dutch hardcore punk band from Amsterdam. They were formerly known as Jezus and the Gospelfuckers and also recorded songs for a Pusmort compilation under the bandname "Genocide Express". As Agent Orange they record 2 singles, the first called "your mother sucks coocks in hell" which sells on ebay for insanely high prices, and a second one called "VD" aka "hello boyfriend coming my way?
German Agent Orange are from Germany and were formed in 2005 in "hude" near Bremen.
Swiss Agent Orange
Trip/bit hop producer, to avoid confusion, he changed his name to agentff6600.
Danish Agent Orange
Two musicians of a local danish band called digiis (short of digital inspired), who has made a side project. The music is both electronic and acoustic.
http://www.myspace.com/davidmads
There is also another German Agent Orange from Bisingen. They played Metal and released a single and 2 albums, the second on B.O. Records.
Somebody To Love
Agent Orange Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and all the joy within you dies
don't you want somebody to love
don't you need somebody to love
wouldn't you love somebody to love
you better find somebody to love
When the garden flowers baby are dead yes
don't you want somebody to love
don't you need somebody to love
wouldn't you love somebody to love
you better find somebody to love
your eyes, I say your eyes may look like his
but in your head baby I'm afraid you don't know where it is
don't you want somebody to love
don't you need somebody to love
wouldn't you love somebody to love
you better find somebody to love
tears are running [down,] down your breast
and your friends baby they treat you like a guest
don't you want somebody to love
don't you need somebody to love
wouldn't you love somebody to love
you better find somebody to love
The lyrics of Agent Orange's song "Somebody To Love" reflect the feeling of hopelessness and loneliness that one can experience in life. The song begins with a representation of the truth that is found to be lies and the joy that is lost. The singer then asks the listener if they want or need somebody to love, someone who can help them feel loved and appreciated during their difficult times.
In the following verse, the lyrics paint a picture of a dead garden and a mind full of red, which can represent anger or frustration. The song suggests that during those times, the need for someone to love becomes even more prevalent. The lyrics then continue to explore the idea that although someone's physical appearance may resemble that of someone they once loved, they may not possess the love or understanding that is necessary to care for someone else.
The final verse of the song portrays tears running down someone's chest, and the way their friends treat them as if they're simply a guest. The song communicates a message of needing someone to love, and the struggles of finding that person in the world. Overall, the lyrics illustrate the idea that love is essential for a happy existence, and that without it life can be a lonely journey.
Line by Line Meaning
When the truth is found to be lies
When you realize that what you thought to be true is actually false
and all the joy within you dies
And as a result, you feel deep sadness
don't you want somebody to love
Do you not desire to have someone to share your love with?
don't you need somebody to love
Is it not necessary for you to have someone to love?
wouldn't you love somebody to love
Would you not enjoy having someone to love?
you better find somebody to love
It is important for you to find someone to love
When the garden flowers baby are dead yes
When everything around you is withered and lifeless
and your mind [, your mind] is [so} full of red
And your mind is overwhelmed and distressed
your eyes, I say your eyes may look like his
Although you may resemble someone else in appearance
but in your head baby I'm afraid you don't know where it is
You may not know where your true self and feelings lie deep within
tears are running [down,] down your breast
You are crying and feeling emotional pain
and your friends baby they treat you like a guest
Your friends do not fully understand what you are going through and treat you distantly
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Darby R. Slick
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jeff Benoit
Killer band! Saw them a few times back in the day. Found memory, the Varsity Theater in Palo Alto. Mike Palm is an exceptional guitar player, and a pretty dam good singer!!!
wev71
I thought the live version was the only one they did. so happy I found this.
Armand Croft
Great song
ADO Estudio Fotografico
UAUUU!!! this song it´s awesom!!
Wes Bell
Yes I skated to this,many times! In early 80s. Flashback for sure! Too loose trucks and shitty bearings in my Slimeballs wheels. Santa Cruz.found the ultimate skate tunes,SUICIDAL TENDENCIES! ROB,GRANT,MIKE,AND THE OTHER DUDE ON E GUITAR.SORRY. I FORGOT HIS NAME!
andy m
Rocky George
jason hawkins
turned on to this in my skateboarding days by a fine skate chick and I can't remember her name! skate chick are you out there?!!!
joey home movies
jason hawkins it’s me I’m your skate chick my name is joey
Garth Rasmussen
You know they've made a favorable impression when you forget their name!
Joey Scazzola
I want somebody to love. Then again I do have my wife, my right hand, and my mistress, my left hand, so I guess i am doing pretty well.