A Los Angeles band that mixed punk energy with introspective songwriting across four decades.
For a quick sense of their sound, try 'Let Me Go!' first, it's got that mix of punk energy and melodic hooks they were known for. 'Violet' shows the more introspective side that kept a loyal following through their shifts.
Their 1980 debut album 'Volunteers' included 'S.A.D.,' which got radio play and helped them find an audience in the new wave scene. Songs like 'Let Me Go!' and 'Violet' show the kind of catchy, introspective writing that defined their work, touching on tough topics like mental health or addiction while keeping a raw, energetic sound.
They started in Los Angeles in the late 1970s with Michael Quercio, Gary Myrick, and Ed Buller. After their record label pushed for a more commercial direction, Myrick and Buller left, and Quercio brought in new players like guitarist David Roback and bassist Kip Winger to keep going through albums like 'The Volunteers Are Coming' in 1982 and 'Pioneers' in 1986.
Keep it compact: a lyric you come back to, a live memory, or the part of the catalog you would point someone toward first.
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