Discogs
Artist Biography
by Jason Ankeny
Fueled by "rejection, food, coffee, girls, fishing and food," the Descendents
sprang up during the halcyon days of the Los Angeles punk scene; fusing
the blind rage of hardcore with an unexpectedly wry, self-deprecating
wit and a strong melodic sensibility that set them distinctly apart from
their West Coast brethren, they gradually emerged as one of the most
enduring and adored bands of their time. Formed in 1979, the Descendents' first lineup consisted of vocalist/guitarist Frank Navetta, vocalist/bassist Tony Lombardo, and drummer Bill Stevenson; initially sporting an edgy power pop sound inspired by the Buzzcocks, the group issued a debut single, "Ride the Wild," and then promptly vanished from sight.
When the Descendents resurfaced in 1981, they were a four-piece fronted by vocalist Milo Auckerman,
a beloved figure within the hardcore community who infused the group's
identity with both unmitigated teen angst and a healthy dose of goofball
humor. Amid a relentless, caffeine-powered touring schedule, the Descendents found time to record the 1981 EP Fat, a collection spotlighting both Auckerman's
affection for fast food ("Weinerschnitzel," "I Like Food") and distaste
for parental guidance ("My Dad Sucks"). A year later, the group issued
its debut LP, Milo Goes to College; despite the considerable levity of tracks like "Bikeage" and "Suburban Home," the title was no joke -- Auckerman was indeed headed off to study biochemistry, and when Stevenson joined the ranks of Black Flag, the Descendents went on sabbatical.
In 1985, the group re-formed, with SWA alum Ray Cooper replacing Navetta on guitar; after the release of the more pop-flavored album I Don't Want to Grow Up, ex-Anti bassist Doug Carrion assumed Lombardo's duties. A sunnier perspective informed 1986's Enjoy!, as evidenced by the inclusion of a cover of the Beach Boys' "Wendy," but after 1987's All, the group split again; after Stevenson formed a new group, also dubbed All, the only Descendents products to appear for a number of years were a pair of live releases, 1987's Liveage! and 1989's Hallraker. Somewhat surprisingly, Auckerman and Stevenson re-formed the Descendents in 1996 with All bassist Karl Alvarez and guitarist Stephen Egerton; in addition to mounting a tour, the group recorded a new album, Everything Sucks. Following the tour, Auckerman
once again returned to his life in the chem lab until 2004 when the
guys were back with two new releases, both issued on Fat Wreck --
February brought the EP 'Merican, and the full-length Cool to Be You followed a month later.
For the following decade, they would remain
relatively quiet, save for a few significant events. In 2008, founding
guitarist Frank Navetta
unexpectedly passed away. The band also reunited for a few gigs in
2010, but it wasn't permanent. The Descendents returned in 2016 with Hypercaffium Spazzinate, their first new studio material in 12 years.
Tracklist
| 1 |
Everything Sux |
1:30
|
| 2 |
I'm The One |
2:15
|
| 3 |
Coffee Mug |
0:34
|
| 4 |
Rotting Out |
1:57
|
| 5 |
Sick-O-Me |
1:46
|
| 6 |
Caught |
1:47
|
| 7 |
When I Get Old |
2:29
|
| 8 |
Doghouse |
1:47
|
| 9 |
She Loves Me |
2:33
|
| 10 |
Hateful Notebook |
2:24
|
| 11 |
We |
2:36
|
| 12 |
Eunuch Boy |
0:19
|
| 13 |
This Place |
1:17
|
| 14 |
I Won't Let Me |
3:07
|
| 15.1 |
Thank You |
2:32
|
| 15.2 |
Grand Theme |
1:58 |
Discogs
Artist Biography
by Greg Prato
When renowned (and often copied) Los Angeles punk rockers the Descendents were forced to go on hiatus in the late '80s when singer Milo Aukerman left the group to attend college full-time, the remaining members decided to carry on under a different name: ALL (lifted from the title of the Descendents' final 1987 studio recording). Former Descendents members Bill Stevenson (drums), Stephen Egerton (guitar), and Karl Alvarez (bass) were all in attendance, as former Dag Nasty frontman Dave Smalley assumed vocal duties. The group signed on with the Cruz label, issuing an EP and a full-length album in 1988, Allroy for Prez and Allroy Sez, before Smalley was replaced with Scott Reynolds. The Reynolds-led version of ALL issued four albums overall: 1989's Allroy's Revenge, 1990's Trailblazer: Live and Allroy Saves, and 1992's Percolator (in addition to their own releases, the entire band backed original Descendents' bass player Tony Lombardo on his 1991 solo release New Girl, Old Story, which was credited to Tonyall). Soon after, it was then Reynolds' turn to bid the band farewell (later turning up in the bands Goodbye Harry and the Pavers) and Chad Price stepped in, resulting in such further releases as the band's last release for Cruz, 1993's Breaking Things. 1995's brief allegiance with a major label (Interscope) brought Pummel before they signed on with Epitaph and issuing 1998's Mass Nerder, 1999's self-titled release, and 2000's Problematic. In 1996, Aukerman and Stevenson teamed up once more to briefly reunite the Descendents (with ALL members Alvarez and Egerton filling in for the others), resulting in a tour and an all-new studio album, Everything Sucks.
Tracklist
| 1 |
Charligan |
1:27
|
| 2 |
Nothin' |
1:56
|
| 3 |
Dot |
2:00
|
| 4 |
Nobody's |
3:55
|
| 5 |
Wonder |
1:36
|
| 6 |
Minute |
1:26
|
| 7 |
Birds |
2:45
|
| 8 |
Empty |
3:15
|
| 9 |
MO. 63 |
1:45
|
| 10 |
Egg Timer |
2:50
|
| 11 |
Gnugear (Hot) |
1:05
|
| 12 |
Hotplate |
4:03
|
| 13 |
Hey Bug |
0:35
|
| 14 |
Breathe |
3:51 |
