Ep480: 45 Years of Adolescents with Tony Reflex

Ep480: 45 Years of Adolescents with Tony Reflex

Author: The Vinyl Guide January 6, 2025 Duration: 42:49

Tony Reflex of The Adolescents discusses the band's 45-year journey, from the early days, the Blue Album, the legacy of "Amoeba", working with Frontier Records to current day releases, rarities and more.

Topics Include:

  • Adolescents approaching 45 years as a band
  • Band attracts three generations of fans to shows
  • Beatles and Cheap Trick were major musical influences
  • First records were children's Golden Records on yellow vinyl
  • Cereal boxes used to come with cardboard records
  • Tony couldn't play instruments, focused on vocals instead
  • First vinyl appearance was "Amoeba" on Rodney on the Roq compilation
  • Rodney Bingenheimer played their demo tape immediately after receiving it
  • "Amoeba" originated from Rik and Casey's previous band Detours
  • Lisa Fancher signed them to Frontier after shows turned into riots
  • Blue Album recorded over single weekend with Tom Wilson
  • Album cover inspired by Cheap Trick's logo design
  • Band wasn't close friends, created internal tensions
  • Pat Smear briefly joined band for three months
  • "Welcome to Reality" single - Ed Colver gravestone cover photo
  • Recently discovered Starwood live tapes from Rob Ritter
  • Hollywood punks accepted Orange County bands despite distance
  • Cuckoo's Nest venue paid bands very little money
  • 1986 reunion show at Fender's Ballroom with Weirdos
  • "Brats and Battalions" released on SOS Records
  • Steve Soto and Tony called themselves "rock wives"
  • Recent albums include Russian Spider Dump, Caesar Salad Days
  • Tony collects CDs more than vinyl records
  • Owns original Germs "Forming" single in true mono

VIDEO version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

Photos by Alan Snodgrass, Glen E Friedman

Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/2Y6ORU0
Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/36qhlc8


There's a particular kind of conversation that happens when two people who are deeply passionate about music get together, surrounded by shelves of records. The Vinyl Guide-Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds captures that feeling perfectly. Hosted by Nate, a dedicated collector and enthusiast, this podcast feels less like a formal interview and more like you're overhearing a great chat in the back of a record store. The discussions naturally weave through artists' creative processes, the stories behind iconic albums, and the tangible magic of the format itself. You'll hear from musicians, producers, and other insiders who live and breathe vinyl, offering perspectives that go far beyond the liner notes. But it's not just about the artists; it's for the collectors, too. Episodes often delve into the practical, nerdy details that make this hobby so compelling-like distinguishing between a common pressing and a rare, valuable find, or learning how to properly care for your collection so it lasts for decades. It’s that blend of artistic insight and collector-focused knowledge that gives this podcast its unique character. Whether you're a seasoned cratedigger or just appreciate the warmth of an analog recording, these conversations offer a rich, human connection to the music you love, all centered around the grooves of a vinyl record.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds
Podcast Episodes
Ep458: Keeping it Reel with Blag Dahlia of Dwarves [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:16
Blag Dahlia of Dwarves discusses band history, collectible records, the challenges of running a label and the balance of art and business, as well as new and reissued Dwarves vinyl. Topic Include: Dwarves should be a rec…
Ep457: Hugh Cornwell - The Stranglers & Beyond [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:58
Hugh Cornwell takes us through early records of his life, rare records of the Stranglers, solo materials, analogue recording and more. Topic Include: Aussie tour, New Album Does Hugh have a record collection? Early music…
Ep456: Al Barile - SS Decontrol (SSD) & X-Claim! Records [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:23
Society System Decontrol (SSD) self-released several landmark hardcore punk records in the early 80s. Out of print for over 4 decades, SSD has only recently reissued their two masterpieces "The Kids Will Have Their Say"…
Ep455: The Saints 73-78 with Ed Kuepper and Mark Arm [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:08
The Saints made history with the record "(I'm) Stranded" in 1976 - nearly 50 years later founder/songwriter Ed Kuepper is revisiting the early Saints material with some old bandmates and new friends, including Mark Arm o…
Ep454: The Return of Redd Kross with Jeff & Steven McDonald [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:19
Jeff & Steven McDonald formed Redd Kross at a pivotal time in the LA music scene, playing their 1st gigs in their early teens and were mentored by Black Flag. Their influences are vast and their appreciation for musical…
Ep453: Joe Bonamassa & The Art of Collecting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:49
Guitarist and music-gear mega-collector Joe Bonamassa joins us to talk about his new record label, collecting gear, his appreciation and approach to the art of vinyl records, his new LP "Live at the Hollywood Bowl" on Jo…
Ep452: Managing the Miles Davis Legacy with Vince Wilburn Jr [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:41
Managing the estate of a legend like Miles Davis requires tremendous coordination, detail and creativity. Vince Wilburn Jr, musician, collaborator and nephew of Miles and co-manager of the Miles Davis Estate discusses th…
Ep451: Data, Trends & the Future of Discogs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:45
Most record collectors use Discogs each day - so what does the data tell us about the state of record collecting? Founder & CEO Kevin Lewandowski and COO Lloyd Starr talk to us about the data and future of this pivotal p…
Ep450: The Legend of Fraction "Moon Blood" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:21
The 1971 album "Moon Blood" by Fraction has fascinated record collectors for decades. The perfect intersection between great musicianship, intriguing backstory and supreme rarity, Fraction "Moon Blood" is now getting an…

«1...678910