Viet Vets

Annotation

Hardcore Punk group formed in 1979 in Simi Valley, California, USA. Members imcluded: Felix Alanis (vocals), Nick Lamagna (guitar, vocals), Robert Armstrong (bass, vocals), Walt Phelan (drums, vocals), Kiley Asato (bass), Tony Calderone (guitar), Big Mike (drums), Gnat (bass), Xavier Chavez (bass), Steve Drojensky (guitar), Mike Smith (bass). Their song "Viet Vets" focused on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - frequently referenced in post-war 1980s songs about US veterans, it often connected this (in songs) to stress, shell shock, flashbacks, nostalgia, and feelings and dreams related to an event: "reality made them lose control... turn me off, make it stop... I got no mind". The song looked at the issue of the disabled Vietnam veteran: "some have arms, some have legs, some have neither one". The song also noted the use of Agent Orange - the defoliant / herbicide used by U.S. forces during the Vietnam War, which had long term negative health effects on the Vietnamese and US soldier whom came into contact with the chemical. Moreover, the song referred to drug culture in Vietnam: "Agent orange and LSD, must surely take there toll".

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: Screwed up, fucked up losers, that's our Viet Vets / Screwed up, fucked up losers, they just wanna forget... / Some have arms, some have legs, some have neither one / Some of them just lost their minds, some still play with guns / Agent orange and LSD, must surely take there toll / But I tend to think reality made them lose control / Some came home, some never did, some aren't really sure / Some kill kids, some themselves, others want a cure / "I got no arm, I got no mind, I saw my buddy die / I'm to the point where I can't tell If I'm straight or high... / Blood, death, fuck, war does suck / Kill some kid I never knew / Turn me off, make it stop / Don't wanna kill no more / Coming home didn't matter cause I still call it war / I got no arm, I got no mind / I saw my buddy die, I'm to the point where I can't tell

About the artist

RF7 is a Southern California hardcore punk band begun in 1979, founded by vocalist Felix Alanis and guitarist Nick Lamagna; Alanis also founded Smoke Seven Records to issue the band's and other overlooked punk acts' work. "Viet Vets" is track A1 of the 1982 12" "Fall In" (Smoke Seven). Membership rotated across the decades (drummer Walt Phelan and many bassists and second guitarists), the discography runs from "Acts of Defiance" (1979) to at least 2017, and per Wikipedia the band continues today. [Source: Wikipedia; Discogs]

Themes

Vet · Agent Orange · Drugs

In collections

Punk Songs