Still Wacky After All These Years...

By Jim Testa

Furiously fast and painfully funny, Adrenalin O.D. introduced hardcore to the Jersey suburbs when they formed back in 1981. Over a 10 year career, they toured the U.S., released a number of well-received records, and ran their own label, Buy Our Records (which in term launched the careers of bands like Pussy Galore and Raging Slab.) Screeching Weasel and the Dead Milkmen claimed them as early influences; and for the record, AOD inspired me to start Jersey Beat and cover NJ music back in 1982. Over the years, the band has reunited from time to time for special causes; the last time the core membership of Paul Richard, Jack Steeples, Bruce Wingate, and Dave Scott performed together was at one of CBGB’s farewell benefits in 2005. (A version of AOD with Greg Farah on drums played the Court Tavern in 2007.) Various members of AOD have gone on to play in bands like Mental Decay, the Kowalskis, Sux, The International Brunch Mummies, Shyster Shyster & Flywheel, Grimelord, and Electric Frankenstein.

Adrenalin OD will be performing for the Bouncing Souls’ Home For The Holidays shows on Sunday, December 26, and we just had to ask drummer Dave “Scott” Schwartzman to talk a little about getting the band together one last time…

Q: The last time I saw you was in 2005 one of those CBGB Farewell Gigs. What inspired this reunion? And will this be the Paul, Jack, Bruce, Dave lineup?

Yes this will be the Paul, Jack, Bruce and Dave lineup. This came about because I got to hang out with the Bouncing Souls a few times when they would play in Orlando where I reside. I've been wanting to do a reunion show in New Jersey where a younger crowd could see us and I felt this would be ideal. It was either this or open for Lady Gaga, and we had a falling out with her after Jack called her a tranny. It's been a challenge to get
this going. I am the Jimmy Carter of A.O.D. All I wanted to do was spread a little Christmas cheer to the children of New Jersey.

Q: Given the Bouncing Souls' demographic, there will definitely be a few old timers at this show who will know who you are, but my guess is that most of this audience will be seeing AOD for the first time. What kind of impression do you want to make on the youth of 2010?

They will get to see what punk was like before New Found Glory ruined it. After you see us you will go home, burn your Good Charlotte records and kick your parents in the groin.

Q: The last year has seen reunions of a lot of the early NYC hardcore bands, while other groups who were contemporaries of AOD like Agnostic Front and Sick Of It All just keep going on and on. Do you have any theories regarding the enduring popularity of this bare-knuckle brand of hardcore?

Bands like Agnostic Front live for the road. Can you picture Vinny Stigma being your accountant? I think we've done our share of road trips and tours when we were young enough to enjoy it. Us touring now would be like a bad seniors-only bus ride to Atlantic City. Fighting over diabetes pills and denture glue.

Q: I assume you've heard that P.E.D. and The Blisters are reuniting on Christmas Day this year. Any comments?

Both great bands. I still remember the day P.E.D. won Grammy for best new artist with 3 initials. Can't wait for that GG Allin reunion. I hear he smells better than ever.

Q: I have always said (assuming anyone asked) that AOD was at least 50% of my inspiration to start my own fanzine about NJ music. Other than that dubious distinction, what do you think AOD's legacy has been? Have you ever read what Steve Blush had to say about the band in "American Hardcore?"

I'd say that our legacy has been that we tried to make punk fun again, and made it inclusive to kids in the Suburbs. The original 70's punk scene was about having fun and breaking down the conservative walls. While it had its serious side like The Clash, it had its silly side like The Ramones and Dickies. That got lost in the early days of the U.S. hardcore scene.

People would think we were a joke band. I always thought we were a punk band with a good sense of sarcasm. As for Steve Blush, he didn't spend much time going to see local Jersey bands. It's all about perspective from where you were back then. Not a bad thing. If you had a different experience write your own book. I personally prefer George Hurchalla's book "Going Underground" myself.

Q: Chunksaah reissued Wacky HiJinks of AOD recently, any plans to reissue any of the other records? I've actually been listening to Ishtar a lot lately and it really is a lot better than I remember!

You know you are getting old when you start to like ISHTAR. That was actually one of Paul's favorites. I felt we lost our identity by then. We were too rock for the punks and too punk for the rockers. We have talked about putting Cruising With Elvis and the Ishtar demos (produced by the late great Jeff Roberts of 76% Uncertain at The Anthrax) on a cd eventually. Right now we're working on a live DVD for next year. The A.O.D. documentary movie continues to crawl along at a snail’s pace.

Q: When AOD used to say they were from NJ, it was almost a punchline; somehow today, with bands like Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, Gaslight Anthem, Titus Andronicus, and Steel Train, it's suddenly a badge of honor to be from NJ. As someone who fled to Florida over a decade ago, what's your take on the ascendancy of Garden State rock?

Sure, I leave and now it's cool. Being from New Jersey is like being in a gang. People on the outside can make fun of it all they want. I've heard it all. Your state smells like ass... You can pick up a Jersey girl by going to the farms where they graze... You're from New Jersey, do you know Snookie? But no matter what people say it just doesn't matter... because if you're not from New Jersey, than chances are you're probably a douchebag
anyway. And that's the glory of Jersey Pride!!! You can take the boy out of Jersey but you can't take Jersey out of the boy. I'm from Clifton... I bleed Texas Weiner chili.

Q: The Asbury Park you'll be visiting is quite a bit different from the Asbury Park of 1980. Same with New Brunswick. Any favorite memories or horror stories about how scary those towns used to be back in AOD's heyday?

Asbury Park used to be a dump. It was like Atlantic City before the casinos and hi-end hookers. I have fond memories of being diddled under the boardwalk by Max Weinberg of the E. Street Band. He gave me my first drumstick that day. At least that's what he called it. As for New Brunswick, that place was like a second home to us. We played Patrix and The Court Tavern so much back than. There were so many great shows that
came through there. Butthole Surfers, D.R.I., The Dicks, Rhythm Pigs.

Q: How much will you be able to practice with the band before the show on the 26th? After all these years, do you guys just remember everything or does it take a while to get back up to speed?

I haven't played the drums in over a year except for one rehearsal with Paul and Jack 2 months ago. My arms still hurt. If I knew how hard it would be to play that fast at 45 years old, "Bugs" would have been our ballad. Plus it's December and I usually sleep through December. Punk is all about danger and there's a 50/50 chance one of us will have a heart attack and die on stage. If that happens please make sure that when the videos of the death get posted to YouTube you SPELL THE NAME OF THE GOD DAMN BAND RIGHT!!! No one can ever get the spelling right. We've been Arelin O.D., Adrenaline O.D., D.O.A.

Q: Next year will be AOD's 30th anniversary? What can we expect?

Clowns, balloons, midgets and flaming monkeys. Maybe a line of Adrenalin O.D. adult diapers. To be honest if we get through this show without a fist fight or a stroke it will be a miracle. A Christmas Miracle. God bless us, everyone!

For more information, visit myspace.com/adrenalinod