Agent Orange and The Drowns

Formed in 1979, the original Agent Orange line-up comprised of Mike Palm on guitar and vocals, Steve Soto on bass and Scott Miller on drums. This line-up recorded the original version of “Bloodstains” in 1979 which featured on the band’s debut 7” EP. “Bloodstains” subsequently became popular in the local area having given the single to Rodney Bingenheimer of Pasadena radio station KROQ-FM, who ended up playing it regularly and the song became a hit.

The song introduced its listeners to the band’s signature punk rock sound combined with surf rock and skate music. A rerecording of “Bloodstains” arrived in 1981 on the band debut album “Living In Darkness”. The album marked the departure of Soto on bass who left to form The Adolescent and was replaced by James Levesque. Released through Posh Boy Records, the album despite esteemed producer Brian Elliot, known for his work on Madonna’s hit “Papa Don’t Preach”, didn’t reach a widespread national audience though managed to develop the band's cult-like following.

Brent Liles replaced James Levesque in 1988, the same year Agent Orange recorded and released “Living In Total Darkness”. With a slight name change, “Living In Total Darkness” was a rerecording of their debut album with a limited number of new songs. Following the release Derek O’Brien replaced Scott Miller on drums in 1989 and the band recorded “Real Live Sound” in 1990 from a live performance. In 1992 Sam Bolle replaced Brent Liles on bass, and four years later Agent Orange released their third studio album “Virtually Indestructible” in 1996.