The Adolescents are a punk music group formed in 1980 in Fullerton, California by Steve Soto after leaving Agent Orange in December 1979. The original line-up was led by frontman Tony Cadena, with Steve Soto on bass, Frank Agnew on guitar, John O’Donovan on guitar and Peter Pan on drums. Both O’Donovan and Pan left in June and were replaced by Rikk Agnew and Casey Royer formerly of Social Distortion and The Detours and also singer for the OC punk band, D.I.. The band created fast, energetic music that was at the forefront of the Orange County punk music scene.
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.
NO WAY
The Adolescents Lyrics
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I'm just a victim of society a slob
No ass, no head
I gotta go home and jack off instead
No mind, no kind
My brain is jelly and my memory is blind
No way, no way
The Adolescents' song No Way speaks about the struggles of adolescents as they transition into adulthood. The song starts off with lyrics that show a lack of direction in the singer's life. He has no class or job, and he considers himself a slob - someone who has no motivation to succeed in life. The second verse continues to describe his lack of physical and mental prowess. He has no ass or head, which suggests he has no confidence in his abilities. His brain is jelly, and his memory is blind - he can't remember anything that he's learned or experienced.
The chorus of the song is a repetition of the two words "no way." It represents the singer's struggle to accept the world around him. He sees the world as gay, which in this context does not represent homosexuality, but instead refers to a world that is bright, carefree, and full of hope. The singer cannot accept this world because he is filled with despair and confusion. In a way, the song is a cry for help from a young person who is struggling to find his place in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
No class, no job
I have no education or employment opportunities.
I'm just a victim of society a slob
I'm struggling to keep up with society's expectations and feel like a failure.
No ass, no head
I lack both physical and mental strength.
I gotta go home and jack off instead
I resort to sexual release as a coping mechanism for my lack of fulfillment.
No mind, no kind
I'm unable to think clearly or show kindness to others.
My brain is jelly and my memory is blind
I struggle with cognitive functioning and have difficulty retaining information.
No way, no way
I can't continue living in a world that I perceive as negative and unwelcoming.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: RIKK AGNEW
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