The Vandals Album: “Peace Thru Vandalism/When in Rome Do as the Vandals”

Looking at most of the reviews here, it becomes instantly obvious the divide between the various iterations of the Punk phenomenon. Some (myself included) call the latest movement complete rubbish, and utterly commercial, which is at odds with the real meaning of the punk movement. However, way back when in the days I considered myself a punk rocker, the previous generation said the same of us. That being said, it's pretty clear that from the other reviews that kid's today don't know their roots. For instance, it seems unlikely that a band like say, NOFX would have its unique sound or humor without the likes of the original Vandals. Tracks like the Legend of Pat Brown, Mohawk Town, and Urban Struggle were once anthems, where now they are pretty much forgotten, and that's too bad. One review mentioned that the album has an odd cowboy theme, which begs context. When this album came out, way back in the early 80's, there was a resurgence of country music, and something called the "cowboy lifestyle", thanks in large part to a forgotten movie called Urban Cowboy, starring none other than John Travolta. Coming to the point, the Vandals decided to have a little fun with [what was then] contemporary pop culture.

Anyone that grew up in OC will recognize some of the references made in the songs, Zoomies for example is, or was, a cowboy bar at one time in Huntington Beach... The song Pirate's Life is actually about the Pirate's of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland, and an LSD trip. For ultimate context, I highly recommend the original version of Suburbia on DVD, in which the real Vandals appear, which is sold here on Amazon, and for which, incidentally, I have also written a review.

If this album has you scratching your head, its because its from a different time that seems to be irrelevant to the current generation of punk rockers. There was a time when this album was cutting edge, and that time has long since passed.

The Vandals of old put together two albums on one CD, "Peace Through Vandalism" and "When In Rome Do As the Vandals". Seventeen tracks of psycho-punk with a touch of rockabilly. This is one of the rare bands that are together because there is nothing more fun to do then to play their music. Politically incorrect, facetious, satirical and having a good time describes the band perfectly.

There are plenty of gems on this album. From "H.B. Hotel" a take on the old Elvis standby with some really nasty lyrics about the girl that dumped Stevo, to the punked-out version of a cowboy skinhead sheriff going to a town full of mowhawks to catch a murderer in "Mowhawk Town". They even cover Focus' "Hocus Pocus", and end with the laid-back, Latin sounding "Rico". The album is all high-energy driving beats that will thrill even those with just a little punk in their roots. The classics are all here as well, including, "Anarchy Burger", "Urban Struggle", and "Slap of Love".

The best part of this album is to see how this band of 80's fame influenced a slew of bands in the 90's. From Nirvana to No Doubt to Johnny Sako, you can hear the Vandals in their music. If you like to have fun, and don't take things too seriously, and like the vicious speed of a punk sound, then this is a good place to start. Good luck in finding it.

This is one of my favorite punk albums from the early 80's. I saw the Vandals few years ago on the Warp Tour, but the new bad doesn't compare to when Stevo was frontin the band. "The Legend of Pat Brown" is a classic.

I am here just to clear up a few things. This is a great album for any one who enjoyed Punk in the mid to late eighties. I need to correct a few things. The bar is called 'ZOOBIES' and was in the city of Costa Mesa. The H.B. Zobbies did not open until the early 90's, well after the Cuckoo's Nest(also in Costa Mesa) closed. The Cuckoo's Nest and Zoobies shared the same parking lot. Zoobies owners got tired of the pucks that hung around so they bought the Cuckoo's Nest and turned it into Zoobies Guilded Cage'. Any way, now I'm bored, just a lil history for ya.

Peace Through Vandalism is a must have.... When did punk start? We can argue that it started in England and was seen in The Clash, Pistols, The Damned and was rolling in 1976...but how about America in 1970? Ever heard of Iggy Pop (and the Stooges)? How about Lou Reed and a band called the Velvet Underground? New York Dolls? Ramones? In the late 70's if you were West Coast it was either LA or SF and it could have been any of the Decline of Western Civilization bands (Germs, Black Flag, Bags, Circle Jerks, X and my favorite FEAR) or The Dead Kennedys and The Hate up in the Bay Area. In the early 80's Orange County (not The OC) was ripping it up with bands like The Vandals, T.S.O.L., The Adolescents, D.I., Agent Orange, Social Distortion...Hello. Peace Through Vandalism is the flagship for The Vandals. When in Rome...well it is good but not hardcore...more tongue in cheek and may have borrowed from The Peppers (freaky style/uplift mojo party plan).

What is Punk? Is it the Weirdoz, The Screamers, Charged G.B.H., Subhumans, The Doors? In my opinion Punk is something that is not played or at least wasn't played on the radio...always exceptions (college pirate radio with balls or KROQ's Rodney B). I don't think any FEAR song will or could have played on the radio, but I hear The Killers and many others...what is the word alternative or is it punk..on top 40 radio stations...Horrible!