JFA (Jodie Foster's Army) is a hardcore punk band, born in 1981 out of Ariz… Read Full Bio ↴JFA (Jodie Foster's Army) is a hardcore punk band, born in 1981 out of Arizona and Southern California skateboard culture. The original members include Brian Brannon (vocals), Don "Redondo" Pendleton (guitar), Michael Cornelius (bass), and Mike "Bam-Bam" Sversvold (drums). Alan Bishop of Sun City Girls also played bass for awhile. The band was pivotal in the development of the skate punk and Skate Rock scenes. Over the years, the lineup has included many bass players and drummers but the core of Brannon and Pendleton has remained constant.

JFA was formed around March of 1981. Pendleton, then in the band The Deez and Cornelius, then in the band Jr. Chemists, knew each other from shows around Phoenix, Arizona and from skateboarding. They began playing together after a D.O.A. concert during the band's Hardcore 81 tour. Bam-Bam later joined after meeting Pendleton at an "Industrial Dance" in Phoenix, and bestowed the moniker on the band, which is a reference to his second-cousin's, John Hinckley, Jr., attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan.

The band's first show was opening for Black Flag at an Industrial Dance which was one of a series of early Phoenix punk shows. Their first song of the night was Pipetruck.

Placebo Records released their debut EP "Out Of School" in late 1981. The band toured the west extensively and played many local shows. Their first national tour was in the summer of 1983 following the release of their first album "Valley ot the Yakes".

www.myspace.com/jfamusic

Beach Blanket Bongout
JFA Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Party on the sand
Bring your van
Tan girls, macho fools
Fun

Punk outing, people shouting
Lots of fun
Drugs and sun

Fun

Beach blanket bongout
Bong out oh oh

The hippies, they hate us
We take their chicks
They beat us up
But they're still the dicks
Dicks!

Surf punks we're not
Skateboard we do
We have the fun
We're the new crew
Crew

Beach blanket bongout
Bong out oh oh

We're having the fun
Wasted in the sun

Purple boards, short hair
We're out numbered and we don't care!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to JFA's song Beach Blanket Bongout are about a group of young people who are ready to party and have fun on the beach. The first verse invites everyone to bring their van, tan girls, and macho fools to the beach for some good times. The second verse sets the scene for a punk outing with people shouting, drugs, and the sun. The chorus, "Beach blanket bongout. Bong out oh oh," is a catchy refrain that echoes the party mood of the song.

The third verse is a commentary on the conflict between the punk scene and the hippie scene. The hippies hate the punks, but the punks take their chicks anyway. The hippies resort to physical violence, but the punks still view them as "dicks." The fourth and final verse is a declaration of belonging for the punk crew. They may not be surfers, but they have just as much fun on their skateboards. The chorus repeats, reinforcing the message that this is a party where everyone is welcome to bong out and have a good time.

Overall, the message of the song is about youthful rebellion and the desire to let loose and have fun. The lyrics are an anthem for the punk community, expressing their disdain for the hippie scene and their love of drugs, surf culture, and partying on the beach.

Line by Line Meaning

Party on the sand
Let's have a party on the beach

Bring your van
Bring your van to the beach party

Tan girls, macho fools
There are girls tanning and guys trying to be tough

Fun
It's a good time

Punk outing, people shouting
This is a punk-themed outing and people are shouting

Lots of fun
It's a really good time

Drugs and sun
People are using drugs and enjoying the sun

Fun
It's a good time

Beach blanket bongout
We're having a party on the beach and smoking bongs

Bong out oh oh
Smoke from the bongs is filling the air

The hippies, they hate us
The hippies don't like us