The Vandals
Hitler Bad, Vandals Good

THE REVIEW

For days now, after discovering this site, I've been browsing and reading reviews of the artists I enjoy the most, then, stumbling upon the page dedicated to the Vandals (or The Vandals to give them a bit of a British flair), I notice there isn't a single review. "But is it possible?!" (quoting G. Mosconi)

So I decide to write one myself, dedicating it to their album I'm most fond of: "Hitler Bad, Vandals Good", released in the now distant 1998, is a milestone for all punk rock enthusiasts, skate punk, melodic hardcore, and blah blah blah. I've always felt this record, in a way, kick-started the pop-punk invasion coming from Southern California, culminating in the 2000s with bands like the funny-but-not-too-much Blink-182 (whom the Vandals mentored in their early days). The sound, although extremely different from their previous works, is always recognizable: tight rhythms with Josh Freese (a true master of the genre) on drums, brilliant guitars with very catchy and powerful riffs, Dave Quackenbush's voice that always sounds incredibly Orange County, all compressed into 14 fast-paced and very catchy tracks, this time accompanied by humorous and fun lyrics, and, I repeat, very close in melody and approach to the wave that would soon invade the punk scene. Oh, I forgot, there's even room for a trombone (F'd Up Girl) and some unusual instruments for the genre (tuba?). Key tracks, in my humble opinion: "Cafe 405", "Money's Not An Issue", "Too Much Drama" (co-written by Dexter Holland), "F'd Up Girl", and "An Idea For A Movie".

Oh folks, remember that these guys used to, have always, and will continue to make fun (yes, replace a random letter) of people like Mike Ness, Dexter Holland (yes, the blonde one with whom they've co-written some of their songs), their former protégés Blink-182, and many others, so if you’re "Into It", enjoy this punk rock, instant, fresh, irreverent, and remember that the Vandals should never be taken too seriously. Or perhaps they should?