Welcome to Reality (EP)

The Adolescents lineup of singer Tony Brandenburg (who used the stage name Tony Cadena), bassist Steve Soto, drummer Casey Royer, and guitarist brothers Rikk and Frank Agnew released their debut album, Adolescents, in March 1981 on Frontier Records. Though Rikk Agnew had contributed heavily to the album, tensions between him and the other band members were leading to frequent arguments. Just a few months after the album's release, during a performance at the Starwood in West Hollywood, he abruptly threw his guitar and walked offstage, quitting the band. He was replaced by Pat Smear, formerly of the Germs. A fourth song, "Richard Hung Himself", co-written by Royer, was recorded and intended for the EP but was left off before release. ==Release and reception==

Welcome to Reality was released in October 1981 on Frontier Records, but was not well received. ==Legacy==

After the Adolescents' breakup, Brandenburg formed a new band, the Abandoned, who released one album, Killed by Faith (1985). Soto and Frank Agnew joined Los Angeles punk band Legal Weapon, playing on their 1982 album Death of Innocence; Agnew remained with them for Your Weapon, released later that year, then moved on to Hvy Drt, playing on their 1985 Hvy Drt EP. Songs from Welcome to Reality are performed on each of the band's live albums: All three songs appear on Live 1981 & 1986 (1989), "Welcome to Reality" and "Losing Battle" appear on Return to the Black Hole (1997), and "Welcome to Reality" and "Things Start Moving" appear on Live at the House of Blues (2004). The Welcome to Reality tracks were re-released on the compact disc version of Adolescents published by Frontier Records in 1990. ==Track listing==

Writing credits adapted from the EP's liner notes. ==Personnel==

Credits adapted from the EP's liner notes. ;Band • Tony Cadena – vocals • Frank Agnew – guitar • Steve Roberts – guitar • Steve Soto – bass guitar • Casey Royer – drums ;Production • Thom Wilson – record producer ;Artwork • Edward Colver – cover photograph • Diane Zincavage – artwork ==References==