Kids of the Black Hole
Encyclopedia
"Kids of the Black Hole" is a song by The Adolescents
. The song was recorded in 1980 and released on their debut album, The Adolescents
(1981). It also appears on the follow-up live album, Return to the Black Hole
(1997). The song is a description of an apartment that was located in Fullerton, CA in the 1980s.
) that was originally owned by Mike Ness
of the legendary punk rock
band Social Distortion
and Robert "Omlit" Logan of the Omlits. As described in the lyrics, The Black Hole was a house that "belonged to all the homeless kids". It was a filthy place to crash, drink, and socialize with others who were a part of the punk scene or kids who were visiting from other parts of the U.S.
in order to see a show in Orange County, CA.
The song was written by Casey Royer
, an original member of Social Distortion. Along with "Amoeba" and "Who Is Who", "Kids of the Black Hole" is considered one of the "representative songs" of The Adolescents
.
's "Kids of the K-Hole" from So Long and Thanks for All the Shoes
(1997), Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
' version of "Superstar" from Ruin Jonny's Bar Mitzvah
(2004). It was also featured in Anthony Van Engelen's part in the skateboarding video Mind Field. It was also used in the BMX video "Forward" which was produced by Etnies
and featured Mike Escamillas as well as during Terje Haakonsen's part in the Mack Dawg snowboard video "Simple Pleasures". Also featured in the motocross video Crusty Demons of Dirt Volume 3. The Copyrights
named the first song on their 2007 full length Make Sound "Kids of the Black Hole." The song has also been heard on an episode of Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory
. A book titled Kids Of The Black Hole: Punk Rock In Postsuburban California will be released November 1, 2010. The book is written by Dewar MacLeod and tells the history and development of punk rock in Southern California.
The Adolescents
The Adolescents are an American punk band formed in 1980 in Fullerton, California. It is a punk supergroup, made up of early members of Agent Orange and Social Distortion. They are often credited as one of the leading bands of the 1980s hardcore punk scene....
. The song was recorded in 1980 and released on their debut album, The Adolescents
The Adolescents (album)
Adolescents is the eponymous debut album by the Orange County punk rock band the Adolescents. The album boasts an all-star cast, featuring three past Social Distortion members , former Agent Orange guitarist Steve Soto and a previously unknown singer named Tony Cadena...
(1981). It also appears on the follow-up live album, Return to the Black Hole
Return to the Black Hole (live)
Return to the Black Hole is a live album by punk band The Adolescents. It was released in 1997.-Track listing:# "No Way" – 3:29# "Who is Who" – 1:28# "Word Attack" – 1:11# "Self Destruct" – 0:42# "L.A...
(1997). The song is a description of an apartment that was located in Fullerton, CA in the 1980s.
Conception
The song describes life at the so-called "Black Hole", which refers to a one-bedroom apartment (a punk housePunk house
A punk house is a dwelling occupied by members of the punk subculture. Punk houses are similar to the hippie crash pads of the 1960s and the slan shacks of science fiction fandom. The Factory, an alternative living space founded by Andy Warhol as the home base of The Velvet Underground, is directly...
) that was originally owned by Mike Ness
Mike Ness
Mike Ness is an American guitarist, vocalist, and chief songwriter for the punk rock band Social Distortion, which was formed in 1978. As of Dennis Danell's death in 2000, he is now the only original member of the band...
of the legendary punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band Social Distortion
Social Distortion
Social Distortion is an American punk rock band formed in 1978 in Fullerton, California. The band currently consists of Mike Ness , Jonny Wickersham , Brent Harding and David Hidalgo, Jr...
and Robert "Omlit" Logan of the Omlits. As described in the lyrics, The Black Hole was a house that "belonged to all the homeless kids". It was a filthy place to crash, drink, and socialize with others who were a part of the punk scene or kids who were visiting from other parts of the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in order to see a show in Orange County, CA.
The song was written by Casey Royer
Casey Royer
Casey Royer is an American musician who began his career playing drums for punk band, Social Distortion at age 21 in 1979. He then moved on to play for The Adolescents from 1980–87. While The Adolescents were on hiatus from 1981–86, Casey went on to form D.I. in 1982, a Southern California punk...
, an original member of Social Distortion. Along with "Amoeba" and "Who Is Who", "Kids of the Black Hole" is considered one of the "representative songs" of The Adolescents
The Adolescents
The Adolescents are an American punk band formed in 1980 in Fullerton, California. It is a punk supergroup, made up of early members of Agent Orange and Social Distortion. They are often credited as one of the leading bands of the 1980s hardcore punk scene....
.
Legacy
Several notable bands have referenced, sampled, and covered "Kids of the Black Hole" including NOFXNOFX
NOFX is an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California .The band was formed in 1983 by vocalist/bassist Fat Mike and guitarist Eric Melvin. Drummer Erik Sandin joined NOFX shortly after. In 1991 El Hefe joined to play lead guitar and trumpet, rounding out the current line-up...
's "Kids of the K-Hole" from So Long and Thanks for All the Shoes
So Long and Thanks for All the Shoes
So Long and Thanks for All the Shoes is the seventh studio album by the American punk rock band NOFX. It was released on November 11, 1997 through Epitaph Records.-Overview:...
(1997), Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes is a punk rock supergroup and cover band that formed in 1995. The Gimmes work exclusively as a cover band. The band is named after a children's book of the same name by Gerald G. Jampolsky and Diane V. Cirincione...
' version of "Superstar" from Ruin Jonny's Bar Mitzvah
Ruin Jonny's Bar Mitzvah
Ruin Jonny's Bar Mitzvah is a live album by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, released on October 19, 2004 on Fat Wreck Chords.It was recorded live at an actual bar mitzvah party, and its runtime lasts their entire performance, including a break in which little can be heard other than the sounds of...
(2004). It was also featured in Anthony Van Engelen's part in the skateboarding video Mind Field. It was also used in the BMX video "Forward" which was produced by Etnies
Etnies
thumb|Picture of an etnies shoeEtnies is an American footwear brand based in Lake Forest, California, and owned by Sole Technology, Inc. In 2003, etnies, along with the city of Lake Forest, California opened etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest, the largest public skatepark in the state, with over of...
and featured Mike Escamillas as well as during Terje Haakonsen's part in the Mack Dawg snowboard video "Simple Pleasures". Also featured in the motocross video Crusty Demons of Dirt Volume 3. The Copyrights
The Copyrights
The Copyrights are a pop punk band from Carbondale, Illinois made up of Brett Hunter Jeff Funburg , Adam Fletcher , and Luke McNeill . They are currently signed to Red Scare Industries.-History:...
named the first song on their 2007 full length Make Sound "Kids of the Black Hole." The song has also been heard on an episode of Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory
Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory
Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory is an American reality television series starring Rob Dyrdek. The first season premiered on February 8, 2009 on MTV.-Summary:...
. A book titled Kids Of The Black Hole: Punk Rock In Postsuburban California will be released November 1, 2010. The book is written by Dewar MacLeod and tells the history and development of punk rock in Southern California.