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Youth Brigade

Sink with Kalifornija (1994)
BYO Records

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Contributed by: TheOneTrueBill
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Published on August 6th 2002

Youth Brigade, the most important SoCal band that not too many people know about. From running Skinhead Manor, owning Godzilla's, and starting the BYO, they were already well known and helpful to the growing LA punk scene. The Stern brothers were able to do all this, and start a band, a really good one at that. This cd is a compilation of the second version of the "Sound and Fury" LP (the first one being aborted and later re-released as "Out Of Print"), the "What Price Happiness" 7 inch, and live tracks from the band's last show (untill the early 90's) at Fenders Ballroom in 1985.

The album starts off with "Sink With California" and "Modest Proposal" which set the tone for the majority of the LP, straight up punk rock. "Men In Blue (Part 1)" starts off like your typical punk rock song, but after about 3 minutes, it turns into an attempt at early rap. Very funny to listen to, with 3 white guys from southern California trying to rap. From this, the band goes back into familiar territory with "Sound and Fury" and "Fight to Unite" (my favorite Brigade song). Every song is a standout track, especially "What Are You Figthing For" and "You Don't Understand", but i can not go into detail about all of them. "Jump Back" sounds a little like a pirate's drinking song (if that makes any sense), and "Duke of Earl" is a Doo-wop song, no way around it. A very fufilling album, and there is still much more to go.

The "What Price happiness" 7 inch, from 1985 is next, with 3 songs. All the songs deal with serious issues, meaning no more pirate songs. There is a definate progression from the LP to this. The songs are more intricate, plus the production is clearer. Very well done, but lacking the energy of the LP.

Lastly, there are 9 live tracks, which are all extremely well executed. Hearing the crowd singing along with songs such as "Sink with California", "Men In Blue", and "Jump Back".

It may take awhile for this compilation to grow on you, but once it does you will love it just as much as I do.

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Anonymous (March 13, 2006)

The Sterns are originally from Toronto but they moved to LA before they started the band.

Anonymous (June 19, 2005)

ive got an old tape of this album that i been playing for 20 fuckin years. cant believe i can get it from byo online for only 11 bones. spoiled rotten fuckin anonymous shithead --> obviously u dont know what the fuck good punk is. TALENT? BAH! what the fuck is talent? social d? some of the earliest punk sell outs... all i wanted was a pepsi and a bunch o cash. go pay ur 35 bux to see green day n ur other talented music industry label wanna b punks. youth brigade: raw, youthful, innocent, angry, in yer face energy. the way it should be. u ever been in a police riot? man in blue. u had friends kill themselves? did u wanna die. were u still suckin ur moms tit when we had nukes pointed at us? modest proposal. etc. etc. etc. others: this music had to GROW on you? it fuckin SPOKE for its generation as far as im concerned. as punk should be. no growing curve... one play, and it was "that's what im thinking too! fuck yeah!" just an old fart now re-livin my youth vicariously thru timeless music and ignorant shits.

Anonymous (June 13, 2004)

this is a good album byo is a good label (15 years ago) its just that all the good shit is out of print but some still exists read your history books fuckers this new shit sucks

Anonymous (January 16, 2004)

YB and BYO are fuckin great

Anonymous (July 26, 2003)

what movie

Anonymous (July 26, 2003)

I think its funny that the only way that Youth Brigade's name has survived is because of that movie. Their music obviously wasn't good enough to keep the name alive. Give it up kids.

Analog_Boy (July 19, 2003)

Youth Brigade is the fucking shit.

Byo records isn't decent... its fucking amazing. One Man Army, Unseen, Pistol Grip, Manic hispanic, consumed.. and yeah. Nice that their from canada too, especially the fucking yukon. Who the hell lives there? Explains why the brothers made the band, no one else lives in a 50 mile radius.

TheOneTrueBill (September 26, 2002)

both bands fucking rule... i got into youth brigade from seeing them in Another State of Mind. i must admit they didn't seem special at first, but they grew on me

Anonymous (August 11, 2002)

Social Distortion sucks cock, you little bitch. What the fuck are you talking about, yeah they're brothers...and they have some good shit out.

Anonymous (August 8, 2002)

After viewing Another State of Mind, I learned that Youth Brigade is just terrible. These guys were so bad that the band consisted of Shaun Stern and his brother. I guess no one else wanted to be in this band; can't say I blame them. There are so many awesome classic punk rock bands, these dorks are not one of them. They fucking suck.
Listen to Social Distortion instead. The possess talent.

BYO is a decent label tho, they had 7 Seconds.

Anonymous (August 8, 2002)

Northern Canada actually, the Yukon..they're Eskimos - bigjerk

Anonymous (August 6, 2002)

Yes

Anonymous (August 6, 2002)

Are youth brigade from Canada?

TheOneTrueBill (August 6, 2002)

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It's funny, because, like no one from socal raps, except for all the west coast rappers.
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were the west coast rappers doing it in 1982, and were they white guys from canada???