The Vandals Albums (11)
'Hollywood Potato Chip'
Release Date 6/29/2004
Tracks 13
Label Kung Fu
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Live at the House of Blues'
Release Date 1/27/2004
Tracks 23
Label Kung Fu
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Southern California punk icons the Vandals stir up the ideal live experience for fans with Live at the House of Blues. Packaged as a CD with a free DVD (or as a DVD with a free CD), this dual release (complete with "Freesecam") asserts what acts like A Perfect Circle to Paul Westerberg already know -- Josh Freese is easily the strongest drummer in modern rock music. While the visuals are shot on eight cameras and find the group joyfully tearing through classics like "Soccer Mom," "My Girlfriend's Dead," and "Nimby," the music is played with an energy and camaraderie that have sustained the band for two decades. Guitarist Warren Fitzgerald is a riff-ripping dynamo on tracks like "My Brain Tells My Body" and bassist (and Kung Fu Records proprietor) Joe Escalante rocks steady throughout, but it's frontman Dave Quackenbush who really shines. A wry dedication to the Offspring's Dexter Holland on "Too Much Drama" bites the corporate punk hand, but Quack is as credible as he is acerbic on "Behind the Music," which lays into the vapid pop world with the kind of wit that has given these clever, aging punks an unexpectedly long shelf life. ~ John D. Luerssen, All Music Guide
'Internet Dating Superstuds'
Release Date 9/17/2002
Tracks 14
Label Kung Fu
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
The Vandals were on a roll from The Quickening to Look What I Almost Stepped In, and Christmas With the Vandals is a yuletide classic of sorts. Next came Internet Dating Superstuds, which includes a couple of tunes worth a chuckle. ~ Adam Bregman, All Music Guide
'Look What I Almost Stepped In...'
Release Date 8/29/2000
Tracks 14
Label NIT
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Still damn funny after all these years, Orange County's finest the Vandals have been consistently clever throughout their existence and Look What I Almost Stepped In is another smart, goofball record to be enjoyed by all. The Vandals' songs are high concept, big, silly jokes covering every sort of theme from a gleeful, smart ass punk's perspective. On Look What I Almost Stepped In, they have some songs that don't stray from the usual punk dude subject matter like "Fourteen," which is about being infatuated with an underage girl. But most of the album is witty. For instance, "Sorry Mom & Dad" is a song encouraging obnoxious punks to apologize to their parents, while "Behind the Music" is from the viewpoint of a band desperately trying to make it and is a wicked piece of satire that ingeniously borrows record industry lingo to make its point. Then there's "The New You," a particularly rockin' number where the singer complains that "the new you" isn't nearly as friendly or cool as "the old you," who used to at least return his phone calls. One of Look What I Almost Stepped In's finest moments is "San Berdu," a ludicrous, domestic-themed love song about moving to San Bernardino from Cypress (suburban Orange County nowheresville) and making babies. This is another classic record from the Vandals, establishing them among the masters of intelligent, but terminally immature punk rock. ~ Adam Bregman, All Music Guide
'Hitler Bad, Vandals Good'
Release Date 6/23/1998
Tracks 14
Label NIT
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
The Vandals are like a Tex Avery cartoon. They're wacky, their intentions are absurdly comedic and their eyes pop out when ever they see a cute girl passing by; well maybe not quite. But one thing for sure is that The Vandals are way past their angst filled "Suburbia" days; now they just want to make people laugh with their upteenth album "Hitler Bad, Vandals Good." Normally, when a punk band -or any band in general- tries to be funny and musically inclined at the same time, they only succeed in one out of the two efforts. Surprisingly, The Vandals have a nice balance of both with songs like "My Girlfriend's Dead," with lyrics that go: "My girlfriend's dead you see, it's a total lie- but it's easier on me than having to admit that she likes someone else." Then there's "I've Got An Ape Drape," which throws out a plethora of adjectives for the short on top long on back haircut: "Hockey Hair, Mullet, Norco Neck Warmer, " et cetra. And to top it off on a serious note, there's even a nice dedication to former Pennywise bassist Jason Matthew Thirsk -- who committed suicide a year prior to this release. ~ Mike DaRonco, All Music Guide
'Christmas with the Vandals: Oi to the World!'
Release Date 10/8/1996
Tracks 13
Label Kung Fu
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
The Quickening is as definitive as the Vandals get. Amidst the scabrous lyrics (such as the mock-cannibalistic "Hungry for You," which parodies the starving musician anthem in a rather unusual way) and the loud and fast punk attitude, there are actually some intriguing ideas and clever melodies. Part of that is due to the musicianship; drummer Josh Freese and bassist Joe Escalante are an especially astute rhythm section. Mostly, though, the band simply constructs some ingenious music melodies ("Hungry for You" is an homage to '60s garage rock) and overlays lyrics that tone down the gross out humor and silly goofiness of previous albums. The hilarious "Choose Your Masters" argues that, contrary to what Choose or Lose claims, fans who watch MTV should not be allowed to vote, while "Canine Euthanasia" is a surprisingly touching ode to a beloved pet that had to be put down. The Quickening contains no shortage of silly humor, but tempers it with just the right amount of reflection, which guarantees that this will be considered one of the best Vandals albums. ~ Victor W. Valdivia, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
As evidenced by the title, the Vandals haven't grown up at all on their fifth album, Live Fast Diarrhea. They still pound out three-chord punk at a fast clip, shouting out jokey vulgarities. Admittedly, this has a limited appeal, but Live Fast Diarrhea is just as good as any of the band's records. If you know what you're getting into, you won't be disappointed. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
'Sweatin' to the Oldies: The Vandals Live'
Release Date 3/1/1994
Tracks 16
Label Triple X
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
L.A.'s Vandals have more or less parlayed a novelty hit on the early-'80s version of "modern rock" radio, off their first LP (on then-fledgling Epitaph Records), into a sporadic decade-long career, much like a more punk, less-metal Suicidal Tendencies (their L.A. scene contemporaries), only the Vandals' record was better. That song, "Urban Struggle" -- better known by the tag line "I want to be a cowboy" -- is here, as well as the other good songs on that punk/comedy record, "Pirate's Life" (this is actually their best-ever song, but it's done way too fast here), "The Legend of Pat Brown," "Anarchy Burger (Hold the Government)," and their goofy trashing of Elvis' "Heartbreak Hotel," known as "H.B. Hotel," no doubt, in tribute to Huntington Beach, CA, and its infamous hardcore scene of that time. Part Fear (from whom they got the string-of-obscenities stage banter), part Dickies, part plain old obnoxious cretins (see their tasteless new lyrics to Grease's hit "Summer Lovin'"), these guys are your basic snot-nose punks/no-goodnicks who don't care 'bout nothing and have reverence for no one. The songs off later records are not as fun, as funny, or as good, and vapid juvenilia wears thin (if it wears at all!), but this live, "Up Yours" LP has its moments. It's also available as a full-length VHS video as well. ~ Jack Rabid, The Big Takeover, All Music Guide
'When in Rome Do as the Vandals'
Release Date 5/19/1992
Tracks 11
Label Restless
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
As snotty punk albums go, When in Rome seems unexceptional on the surface. There are the tasteless joke songs ("Viking Suite," about a man disturbingly fond of little boys in costumes, presented as a mock prog-style rock opera). There's the requisite cheesy cover ("Hocus Pocus" by Focus, renamed "It's Not Unusual," complete with tuneless howls and shrieks that are even more painful than the original's yodeling). One key difference is that the band is quirky enough to experiment with different sounds (rather than just three-chord punk) and flexible enough to be successful at it. From the mock Western "Mohawk Town" to the Caribbean lilt of "Rico," the Vandals display a surprising musical versatility. Lyrically, the band is still rather one-dimensional, relying too much on jokes and schtick (such as the cheap shots at RV dwellers on "Airstream"), although "Slap of Luv," told from the point of view of a domestic abuser, is a surprisingly astute character piece. Still, the Vandals definitely display some real originality and talent on When in Rome, making it a notch above most indie punk albums. ~ Victor W. Valdivia, All Music Guide
