Agent Orange and Friends

by Randy Rai

On February 10th, 2016 The Boondocks Live hosted a slew of local talent, topped of with the legendary Agent

Orange. Given this task of writing the night’s review, it will be difficult to keep my words brief. This was my first show with the intent of note taking and finding camera angles instead of the usual body checking and multiple rounds of PBR. I can only hope I can do the bands justice.

As I watched the heads begin to surround the lengthy bar at The Boondocks Live, there were a few things in common amongst the crowd; the look of experience, familiar band t-shirts and the topic…Agent Orange being in town. Opening for the heavy lineup, Best Supporting Actors. A trio representing Melbourne comprised of Steve, Wade, and Katy . They started off with rugged, raw, and loud rock. I thought Steve, drummer/vocalist, was going to blow the windows out in their finale. I very much look forward to catching their next gig. Up next, as more tickets sold at the door, Fighting the Silence. Locals out of Cocoa Beach, these guys came out with great energy. Front man Dallas Albers showed an authentic stage presence and his vocals had a positively chilling vibe that echoed the show hall. Meanwhile, drummer PJ and guitarist Jesse wailed with showmanship. Look for them at the Monkey Bar, Indialantic A1A on February 27th. The poets of the bunch, Fox & Hound followed. A lyrically minded trio set up shop with a sound local following. Their melodic talent mixed with Spanish fusion showed the crowd that Nick, Patrick, and Jayson are

here to stay.  

Like them on facebook.com/THEfoxandhoundband.

And then came the punk. Number 4 on the bill with Skatter Brainz. Aggressive with that old school in your face attitude, Skatter Brainz brought the first mosh pit on to the floor. It was the only time, however, that I was slightly disappointed. This local hardcore skate punk trio deserved a better pit. Bob, Chad, and Bird have been in the scene for sometime and I’ve personally been in their beer drenched mosh pits before. I’m sure there are many more to come. This next band I am about to mention, out of Denver, CO, took all of us by surprise. In the Whale, a guitarist named Nate and a drummer named Eric began setting up. At this point the night was in full swing and Eric was calling out over the mic to the audio techs. When he started us of with a growl from within that immediately turned heads. The duo screamed raucous distortion, falling nothing short of pure

rock & roll. Once again the dance floor crowded as In the Whale showed energetic stage performance and moxie all of their own. Brett, co-owner of The Boondocks Live, will most definitely insist on their return to Melbourne. Follow the band on IntheWhalesucks.com.

Time for the headliner, the one and only Agent Orange. Most of us are familiar with the original and authentic punk/surf style of Agent Orange. Starting way back in ‘79, despite it’s change in members front man Mike Palm has created a cult following. Even though having only recorded three studio albums, the bands origination of punk attitude and surf riffs has maintained a massive presence in the history books. Their cult status rivals that of FEAR, Minor Threat, Misfits, and Black Flag. I honestly I never thought I would ever get the chance to meet the man behind the legend, let alone interview him.  After the show Mike Palm walked towards me, smiled a face painted with experience and shook my hand.  My nervousness was eased by his outgoing personality and positive vibes.  Out of all the things we talked about in our short fifteen minutes, the following is what stuck out in my mind.

RR: How’s the tour going?

Mike Palm: So far it’s been insane! I feel like we’ve been busier this year, we had a great start with being in New Zealand and Australia. We came back into some stuff and staying busy. 

RR: How does it feel knowing that Agent Orange is legendary status?

MP: Well you know it’s just chipping away it as long as you don’t give up.

RR: How has Agent Orange kept up with the evolution of the surf/skate scene over the years?

MP: It’s been up and down over the years. Like there was the Ska Punk years and a band like us that is a little

different, we just had to do our own thing. We just play how we play and have fun.

RR: How would you compare the scene in the US to Europe?

MP: When you’re on the road and you see the scene in every town, it’s all really similar. Whether you’re in the States, Australia, Spain, or the UK.

RR:  What’s in store for Agent Orange fans?

MP:  Right now I’m just trying to get early material back and press it on vinyl, for instance. And also continuing to play live shows. We’re booked at a lot of different skate events around the world.

RR: Lastly, what’s in your CD player?

MP: Weird French music. Serge Gansburg, who did some solo albums. It’s really interesting stuff. It’s good to listen to foreign music, because there is no meaning to the sounds you’re hearing. You’re hearing the notes.

Mike summed it up best in relation to who Agent Orange is and how they’ve come to be.  He said, “You know, if we grew up in like New Orleans we’d be blowing horns, playing Jazz. Grew up in Chicago, I’d be playing a Gibson, I’d be playing the Blues.”

 – Randy Raie