Casey Royer

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Casey Royer
Casey Royer 2023.jpg
Royer performing live with D.I. in 2023
Background information
Birth nameCasey A. Royer
Born (1958-10-08) October 8, 1958 (age 65)
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • musician
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • drums
Years active1977–present
Labels
Member of D.I.
Formerly of

Casey A. Royer (born October 8, 1958),[ citation needed ] is an American musician and an early pioneer of the hardcore punk rock genre in Orange County. He named and formed the band Social Distortion as a teenager. In a career spanning more than 40 years, Royer is best known as the lead vocalist for Southern Californian punk rock band D.I. and as a drummer for the Adolescents.

Contents

Early years

Royer was born on October 8, 1958, at St. Joesph's Hospital in Orange, California. Royer was adopted as a baby by Jack Royer and Virgina Royer. Jack was a public servant, serving the City of Fullerton's Water & Utility District. Royer's father taught him electrical and plumbing skills from a young age, but it was Royer's uncle who introduced him to music and drumming at the age of 9. Royer was raised as a single child, but later reconnected with his biological sister who he met later in life. Growing up, Royer's family had a second home by the beach in El Morro, California, where he learned how to surf. Southern California's surf scene and Royer's suburban upbringing would later influence much of the punk rocker's lyrical and fast-paced musical style.[ citation needed ]

Royer's biological father, Eddie Adamek, was a prize-winning cowboy who helped create Disneyland's Frontierland, and taught rope trick skills to actor Steve Martin, who performed his own rope tricks in movie and fiesta sequences. [1] Although Royer never met Adamek, Royer attributes his athleticism and passion for performing to his biological father.[ citation needed ]

Royer attended Troy High School, and began playing music with friends in the neighborhoods of Fullerton and Placentia, California. A shifting group of friends formed bands and played at parties and other gigs during their high school years. [2]

Career

Royer began playing the drums professionally in 1978 at the age of 20, as a formative member of Social Distortion with Mike Ness. In high school, Mike Ness spent time at Royer's family home in Fullerton, where Royer created the name "Social Distortion" for the band, and began to recruit members to play. In addition to forming and naming the band, Royer wrote "Mommy's Little Monster" and composed the group's early lyrics with occasional help from original lead vocalist Tom Corvin. He later drummed with the Detours, and after leaving Social Distortion, Royer became the lead vocalist of a Social Distortion splinter group [3] before disbanding it to drum for the Adolescents on and off between [4] 1980 and 1987.

Royer wrote the song "Amoeba" with Rikk Agnew. Royer said he got the inspiration for Amoeba during his high school science class. [5] The song has been featured in films and video games, such as Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 (2001), Grand Theft Auto V (2013) and Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020), SLC Punk, The Carrie Diaries, and more. In 2009, Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker of Blink-182 covered "Amoeba" for the soundtrack to the film Endless Bummer. After the Adolescents' first break-up in 1981, Casey formed D.I., where he is the lead vocalist, primary songwriter and only consistent member. He wrote "Richard Hung Himself", which has been covered by other artists, including Slayer.[ citation needed ]

In 1983, the cult film Suburbia was released, which features live footage of Royer and D.I. performing "Richard Hung Himself". Director Penelope Spheeris recruited street youths and punk-rock musicians to represent each role rather than hiring actors. To pay homage to the punk rock film, which put D.I. at the helm of the American Hardcore music scene, Royer got a T.R. (The Rejected) tattoo on his arm.

When the Adolescents reformed in 1986, Casey returned to the band but left before the 1987 reunion album Brats in Battalions was recorded. He rejoined them again in 2001–02 for their 20th Anniversary Tour. Casey also joined former Adolescents band members in the band ADZ from 1989–93, [6] after which he again made D.I. his primary focus. He has been the only constant member through many D.I. line-up shifts since the band's inception. Due to creative differences, Adolescents founders Tony, Frank and Steve kicked out Blue Album line-up members Casey Royer and Rikk Agnew. Casey wrote a popular song on the Blue album titled "Amoeba", now considered a punk rock anthem. Steve, Tony, Frank, and Rikk shared songwriting credits for the rest of the Blue Album, creating the iconic Orange County sound recognized worldwide. [7] In 2017, Casey and Rikk formed a Blue Album tribute band called the RADolescents with other former alumni of the Adolescents, including Rikk's young nephew Frank Jr. on vocals.

Royer was recognized by the County of Orange for pioneering the early punk rock scene in Orange County. With the onset of social media, his bands are seeing a popular resurgence across the globe. As his popularity continues to increase, he was asked to be a guest tour guide at the first-of-its-kind Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas, [8] owned by his longtime friend Fat Mike of punk band NOFX. Fat Mike of NOFX says it was seeing Royer perform when he was a teenager that inspired his own punk rock career. Noodles from the rock band The Offspring also cites D.I. and Royer as musical inspiration, as the two bands appeared on billings together during The Offspring's early musical career.[ citation needed ]

Personal life

Royer was married in 1988 and had a son, Max Royer. After the marriage dissolved, Royer had a second son who is named Casey Royer, Pt. II, the Sequel. Royer raised his second son on his own. [9]

Related Research Articles

The Adolescents are an American punk rock band formed in Fullerton, California in 1979. Part of the hardcore punk movement in southern California in the early 1980s, they were one of the main punk acts to emerge from Orange County, along with their peers in Agent Orange and Social Distortion. Founding bassist Steve Soto was the sole constant member of the band since its inception until his 2018 death, with singer Tony Reflex being in the group for all but one album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Social Distortion</span> American punk rock band

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, David Hidalgo Jr. (drums), and David Kalish (keyboards).

<i>Adolescents</i> (album) 1981 studio album by the Adolescents

Adolescents, also known as The Blue Album due to its cover design, is the debut studio album by American punk rock band the Adolescents, released in April 1981 on Frontier Records. Recorded after guitarist Rikk Agnew and drummer Casey Royer joined the band, it features several songs written for their prior group, the Detours, including "Kids of the Black Hole" and "Amoeba", which became two of the Adolescents' most well-known songs. Adolescents was one of the first hardcore punk albums to be widely distributed throughout the United States, and became one of the best-selling California hardcore albums of its time. The band never toured in support of it, and broke up four months after its release. The Blue Album lineup of Agnew, Royer, guitarist Frank Agnew, bassist Steve Soto and singer Tony Brandenburg reunited several times in subsequent years, but only for brief periods.

D.I. is an American punk rock band formed in 1981 in Fullerton, California. It was founded by vocalist and primary songwriter Casey Royer, after previously playing drums in the bands Adolescents and Social Distortion.

<i>Brats in Battalions</i> 1987 studio album by the Adolescents

Brats in Battalions is the second studio album by the American punk rock band the Adolescents, released in August 1987 on SOS Records, the band's independent record label. It followed a reunion of the band after a five-year breakup, and subsequent lineup changes which saw drummer Casey Royer and original guitarist Frank Agnew replaced, respectively, by Sandy Hanson of the Mechanics and by Agnew's younger brother, Alfie Agnew. Brats in Battalions explores several styles of punk rock and features new recordings of all three songs from 1981's Welcome to Reality EP, as well as cover versions of the traditional folk song "The House of the Rising Sun" and the Stooges' "I Got a Right". Singer Tony Brandenburg left the band after this album, and the Adolescents recorded one more album without him, 1988's Balboa Fun*Zone, before breaking up for another 12 years.

<i>Return to the Black Hole</i> 1997 live album by the Adolescents

Return to the Black Hole is a live album by the American punk rock band the Adolescents, released in September 1997 on Amsterdamned Records. It was recorded in December 1989 during a reunion performance by the band's 1980–81 lineup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rikk Agnew</span> American musician

Richard Francis "Rikk" Agnew Jr. is an American musician with a career spanning more than 40 years. He has previously been a member of some of the most influential bands of the Orange County hardcore punk genre, as well as the influential deathrock band Christian Death. During his years with the Adolescents, Agnew became known as one of the best guitarists in the Southern California hardcore punk scene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Mechanics</span> American punk band

The Mechanics (1977–1981) are considered to be the first punk band to come out of Fullerton, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Reflex</span> American musician (born 1963)

Anthony Brandenburg is an American musician best known as the lead singer for the punk rock band the Adolescents. He has used the pseudonyms Tony Cadena, Tony Montana, and Tony Adolescent, and since 1992 has most consistently credited himself as Tony Reflex. Active in music since 1980, he has fronted several bands in addition to the Adolescents—including the Abandoned, the Flower Leperds, ADZ, and Sister Goddamn—and has performed on over 20 studio albums.

Francis Thomas "Frank" Agnew is an American guitarist and songwriter, best known for being a member of punk rock band the Adolescents. Frank's brothers Rikk Agnew and Alfie Agnew, as well as his son Frank Agnew Jr., are also former Adolescents guitarists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Soto</span> American musician

Steve Soto was an American musician. Soto was a multi-talented instrumentalist, a founding member of California punk rock band Agent Orange in 1979, and a founding member of Adolescents in 1980 performing on bass guitar in both bands. Soto was also a member of Legal Weapon, Joyride, Manic Hispanic, Punk Rock Karaoke, and the punk supergroup 22 Jacks. Soto also fronted his own band, Steve Soto and the Twisted Hearts, starting in 2008.

Derek Shawn O'Brien is an American punk rock drummer and producer.

<i>Horse Bites Dog Cries</i> 1986 studio album by D.I.

Horse Bites Dog Cries is the second studio album by the American punk rock band D.I. It was originally released in 1986, on the label Reject. The album was recorded at Casbah Studios in Fullerton, California in 1985 with Chaz Ramirez. Due to a typo on the album itself, many fans believe that it was released in 1985, but this appears to be false because its release was delayed until 1986 to avoid confusion with the band's then-current album Ancient Artifacts. Horse Bites Dog Cries was the final album featuring the Agnew brothers and drummer John Knight.

<i>Balboa Fun*Zone</i> 1988 studio album by the Adolescents

Balboa Fun*Zone is the third studio album by the American punk rock band the Adolescents, released in 1988 on Triple X Records. Titled after the Balboa Fun Zone amusement area of Balboa Peninsula, Newport Beach, it is the band's only album recorded without singer Tony Brandenburg, who had left the group the prior year. Electing not to replace him, guitarist Rikk Agnew and bassist Steve Soto alternated lead vocals on Balboa Fun*Zone. The album also features the return of original Adolescents guitarist Frank Agnew, who had been absent from their prior album, 1987's Brats in Battalions. Balboa Fun*Zone is also the final Adolescents studio album to include Rikk Agnew and drummer Sandy Hanson. The band broke up in April 1989, reuniting in later years with different lineups.

<i>OC Confidential</i> 2005 studio album by the Adolescents

OC Confidential is the fourth studio album by the American punk rock band the Adolescents, released in July 2005 on Finger Records. It was their first studio album since 1988, and followed their reunion in 2001 after a twelve-year breakup. The album features founding band members Tony Reflex, Frank Agnew, and Steve Soto, joined by drummer Derek O'Brien. It was the final Adolescents album to include Agnew, and their only studio album with O'Brien.

<i>Welcome to Reality</i> (EP) 1981 EP by the Adolescents

Welcome to Reality is an EP by the American punk rock band the Adolescents, released in October 1981 on Frontier Records. Recorded after guitarist Rikk Agnew left the group, it was their only release recorded with guitarist Steve Roberts. The band broke up in August 1981, and when the EP was released two months later it was not well received. When the Adolescents re-formed five years later, a new lineup re-recorded all three songs from Welcome to Reality for their reunion album, 1987's Brats in Battalions.

<i>Live at the House of Blues</i> (Adolescents album) 2004 live album and concert film by the Adolescents

Live at the House of Blues is a live album and concert film by the American punk rock band the Adolescents, released in February 2004 on Kung Fu Records as part of the label's The Show Must Go Off! series. It marked a reunion of the band after a twelve-year breakup, and features songs from their original 1980–81 run and from their then-upcoming reunion album OC Confidential (2005).

<i>The Complete Demos 1980–1986</i> 2005 compilation album by the Adolescents

The Complete Demos 1980–1986 is a compilation album of demo recordings by the American punk rock band the Adolescents, released in March 2005 on Frontier Records. It includes the band's first three demo tapes, recorded between March and July 1980; one outtake from the recording sessions for their 1981 EP Welcome to Reality; and two songs recorded during their 1986 reunion as demos for their second album, Brats in Battalions (1987). The first eight tracks are the only material recorded by the Adolescents' original lineup, which included guitarist John O'Donovan and drummer Peter Pan. The remaining tracks include their replacements Rikk Agnew and Casey Royer.

"Amoeba" is a song by American punk rock band the Adolescents. It is the eighth track on their self-titled debut album Adolescents, released in April 1981 on Frontier Records. It is the band's signature song.

References

  1. ↑ "¡Three Amigos!". AFICatalog. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  2. ↑ Interviews: D.I., Punknews.org, August 10, 2007, retrieved September 18, 2015
  3. ↑ "Rikk Agnew & Eric Blair part 2 His youth, Social Distortion and O.C. punk". The Blairing Out with Eric Blair Show. March 23, 2019. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  4. ↑ Huey, Steve. "Biography: The Adolescents". AllMusic . Retrieved April 26, 2010.
  5. ↑ About, Royer, retrieved March 28, 2024
  6. ↑ Ankeny, Jason, ADZ, AllMusic, retrieved September 18, 2015
  7. ↑ Adolescents (liner notes). Sun Valley, California: Frontier Records. 1981. 31003-2.
  8. ↑ "Legend Casey Royer Drops Wild Stories Inside Museum". Blast TV.
  9. ↑ "Extra Punk, Please". LA Times.
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