The Vandals are an American punk rock band, established in 1980 in Orange County, California. They have released ten full-length studio albums, three live albums, 3 live DVDs and have toured the world extensively, including performances on the Vans Warped Tour. They are well known for their use of humor, preferring to use their music as a vehicle for comedy and sarcasm rather than as a platform for more serious issues. Kung Fu Records, founded in 1996 by Escalante and Fitzgerald has signed and launched many punk rock bands.
The band's lineup fluctuated significantly over their first nine years, though founding members Steven Ronald Jensen, guitarist Jan Nils Ackermann, and first consistent drummer Joe Escalante remained regular fixtures. Of the early members, only Escalante has remained through all subsequent incarnations of the band. The current lineup of Escalante, Dave Quackenbush, Warren Fitzgerald, and Josh Freese has remained intact since 1990 and is generally considered far removed from the band's early 1980s incarnation. Since 2002 Escalante has released all of the band's albums through his Kung Fu Records label, with Fitzgerald generally producing.
Members:
Joe Escalante - bass (1988-present), drums (1980-1988), backing and occasional lead vocals (1980-present)
Dave Quackenbush - lead and backing vocals, occasional guitar (1984-present)
Warren Fitzgerald - guitars, backing and lead vocals (1989-present)
Josh Freese - drums (1989-present)
Past members:
Jan Nils Ackermann - guitars, backing vocals (1980-1989)
Steven Ronald Jensen ("Stevo") - lead vocals (1980-1984; died 2005)
Vince Mesa - drums (1980)
Steve Gonzalez - bass (1980)
Bob Emory - bass (1980)
Steve "Human" Pfauter - bass (1980-1984; died 2022)
Brent Turner - bass (1984)
Chalmer Lumary - bass (1984-1985), (1989)
Robbie Allen - bass, backing vocals (1985-1989)
Doug MacKinnon - drums (1988-1989)
Todd Barnes - drums (1989; died 1999)
From: Huntington Beach, California, U.S.
Genre(s):
Punk rock
Active From: 1980-present