Columnist Spencer Patterson: Youth infusion boosts Adolescents’ reunion

Spencer Patterson

Friday, Aug. 26, 2005 | 8:23 a.m.

The Adolescents championed disaffected youth, so it's fitting that a teenager's encouragement sparked the hardcore punk legends' return.

"He's the major reason why we started playing again," said bassist Steve Soto, referring to guitarist Frank Agnew's son, Frank Jr.

"He kind of discovered punk-rock in his early teens, and he would always bug his dad and the rest of us when we'd be over at their house, like, 'When are you guys gonna play again? Because me and my friends love the Adolescents and we want to see it.' "

Three years later the Adolescents' comeback is in full swing. In July the band celebrated its 25th anniversary by releasing its first new album in 17 years, "OC Confidential."

And now the Southern Californians are in the midst of their first full tour since 1989, with 19-year-old guitarist Frank Agnew Jr. installed as a full-fledged member.

"It's kind of like, 'Well, you wanted us here and now you've got to be part of it," Soto, 42, said in a phone interview from his parents' home in Orange County. "But it's a lot of fun. It's exciting for him, which kind of brings another level of excitement to it for us."

The retooled Adolescents -- founding members Soto, vocalist Tony "Reflux" Cadena, and Agnew, one-time Social Distortion drummer Derek O'Brien and Agnew Jr. -- headline Jillian's on Saturday, capping off the day's Gutterbowl Bowling Tournament activities.

GDB, Over the Line, the Black Jets and the Ataris' Kris Roe play the venue's upstairs stage beginning at noon, with Even Rude and the Adolescents slated to perform on the downstairs stage starting at 9:45 p.m. Tickets to the all-ages event are $10.

Saturday will mark the Adolescents' second Southern Nevada appearance this summer. On July 2 they played the Las Vegas Centennial birthday concert, opening for Weezer and the Red Hot Chili Peppers at the Sam Boyd Sports Complex.

"We're used to playing clubs, so that was definitely a different thing for us," Soto said. "I've never seen us as a Warped Tour, festival, outdoor band. We like to play in a club to people that are there to see us. But all in all, I think that (Centennial set) went well. We had a good time."

The Adolescents' 1981 self-titled debut album is widely considered one of the landmark documents of West Coast hardcore. According to the All Music Guide, the band "helped establish the blueprint for Orange County punk," an achievement in which Soto takes pride.

"I can hear our sound in a lot of bands, a lot of the guitar parts and vocal parts, especially backup vocals," he said. "Bad Religion's Greg Graffin and Brett Gurewitz will be the first ones to tell you that they borrowed a lot from the Adolescents. And (Fat) Mike from NOFX says the same thing. It's definitely complimentary that bands feel that way, and it's good to hear."

The Adolescents' legacy might have been even greater had the band overcome lineup turmoil and personality conflicts, and stayed together for longer stretches of time.

"In hindsight there's things we could have done different and maybe had more of a career with the band, like Bad Religion has had," Soto said. "But our chemistry was very volatile. And there's no point in second-guessing what we've done because we can't change anything."

Instead, Soto and his bandmates are enjoying the present, and a surprisingly young fan base they have been attracting all along their reunion tour.

"We did an in-store the day the record came out, and there were 300 kids at a Virgin Megastore and the average age was probably 15," Soto said. "The kids are doing their homework. I think they've heard about some of history and then they get their hands on the record. And if you're a teenager and you feel alienated in any way, that record's gonna speak to you."

Just as performing to young fans continues to speak to Soto and the Adolescents.

"For me, when we first started doing it again, if it would have been just a bunch of 40-year-olds (in our audience), I don't know how long I would have stayed interested in doing it," Soto said. "Not that I have anything against 40-year-olds, being one myself. But then you're more of a nostalgia act and not really a band."

Quick hits

A look at a few of the shows scheduled to hit Southern Nevada in the next week:

The "Moonlight Concert Series" continues at the Clark County Government Center Amphitheater with blues-rocker Marc Broussard on Saturday night.

Broussard, son of Boogie Kings guitarist Ted Broussard, has made a name for himself opening for the likes of Dave Matthews, Maroon 5 and Gavin DeGraw. The Louisiana native released his second album, "Carencro," last year.

Citizen Cope shares the bill. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 in advance and $12 on Saturday. Children under $12 are admitted free of charge.

Veteran bluesman Taj Mahal headlines the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay on Saturday, with support from Johnny Clegg and Grace Potter & The Nocturnals.

The 63-year-old Mahal has been a mainstay on the blues scene since the 1960s, winning contemporary blues Grammy awards in 1997 and 2000. His 2003 CD, "Hanapepe Dream," featured an eclectic blend of styles, earning widespread acclaim and a top 10 spot on Billboard's Blues chart.

Tickets to the 21-and-over show are $25 to $35. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Faith Evans, widow of slain New York City rapper the Notorious B.I.G, performs Thursday at the House of Blues, with opening act Ne-Yo.

In April Evans released her fourth solo album, and first for new label Capitol, "The First Lady."

Doors to the 21-and-over show open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 to $35.

On sale

The Rolling Stones return to the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Nov. 18. Tickets are $131.25, $262.50, $367.50 and $472.50 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden box office, at Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 474-4000 and at www.ticketmaster.com.

The Killers return home for an outdoor concert at the Hard Rock Hotel on Oct. 7, with support from British Sea Power. Tickets are $42.90 and go on sale at noon Saturday through the Hard Rock box office and Ticketmaster.

Mindless Self Indulgence stops at the House of Blues on Oct. 6 with Suicide City. Tickets are $12.50 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday through the House of Blues box office and Ticketmaster.

Martin Sexton performs at the House of Blues with Chris Trapper of the Push Stars on Sept. 30. Tickets are $15 and are on sale now.

Saves the Day and Senses Fail share a bill with the Early November and Say Anything on Nov. 29. Tickets are $15.50 and are on sale now.