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 verteran: "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 refered to drug culture in Vietnam: "Agent orange and LSD, must surely take there toll".

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

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), confirmed from the tracklist. 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. 1982 recorded as a fact. [Source: Wikipedia; Discogs]

Themes

Vet · Agent Orange · Drugs

In collections

Punk Songs