The Vandals

One can trace pop-punk’s roots directly back to The Vandals. Formed in Orange County, CA, in 1980, the band initially paired lighthearted lyrical fare with breakneck punk tempos and riffage. After signing to the then-new label Epitaph Records for their first EP, 1982’s Peace Thru Vandalism, which featured early favorites like “Urban Struggle” and “Anarchy Burger (Hold the Government),” The Vandals experienced their first major lineup change when vocalist Dave Quackenbush replaced Steven “Stevo” Jensen. The band didn’t miss a beat, but at the end of the ’80s, early member Joe Escalante switched to bass, paving the way for powerhouse drummer Josh Freese to propel The Vandals into the ’90s and beyond. Their fortunes rose as the Vans Warped Tour and punk in general became more popular, wth 1998’s Hitler Bad, Vandals Good especially drawing notoriety for speedy songs like “Euro-Barge.” Although The Vandals’ recorded output has slowed since the mid-2000s, the band still tour, and they released a rarities collection, Curse of the Unripe Pumpkin, in 2020.