Pairing West Coast hardcore with classic SoCal surf rock, Agent Orange raced to the head of L.A.’s burgeoning punk rock scene in 1980 like a bat out of hell. Their debut 7-inch became a soundtrack for skate punks with the urgently infectious anthem “Bloodstains,” featuring the tweaker-friendly refrain: “blood stains, speed kills, fast cars, cheap thrills.” With the help of KROQ’s Rodney Bingenheimer—a DJ famous for being ahead of the curve on punk and new wave artists—and the reputation they earned shredding Orange County house parties, the band climbed through L.A. punk clubs and onto a touring schedule that has spanned more than 30 years.
Agent Orange
Sat, 8pm, $18+
The Ritz, San Jose
Agent Orange At The Ritz
