Narcoleptic Youth

Narcoleptic Youth is a punk rock band, formed in Corona, California in either 1992, 1994, or 1996 depending on which member you ask! Their sound has been described as a mixture of early UK and US styles of punk fused with intelligent, often subliminally sarcastic lyrics which revolve around anything from modern politics to social commentary to psychological fantasy. While they don’t immitate any one particular sound, their music has often been compared to that of groups like The Dead Kennedys, Adolescents, Subhumans, and Black Flag. The band built up a strong local following in the late 90s through playing shows with D.I., UK Subs, Youth Brigade, Fear, The Dickies, Vice Squad, Peter and the Test Tube Babies, The Misfits, Agent Orange, TSOL, The Angry Samoans, and their largest show to date opening for The Subhumans in front of 6,000 people. Their first release was a split album with fellow Southern California punk band The Atomic Bombs in 1997 on Nigma Records. For the following two years, the band worked non-stop on building up one of, if not the, largest fan bases out of all the current Southern California punk rock groups. During these two years, they moved up from being the “go to” direct support band for the “legends” to the headliner themselves. They also released several singles including: Classified (Cassette), The Good The Bad and the Fugly(CD), Barbi In Bondage (Pink Vinyl 7”), and Vicious Killers split with The Voids (both Black and Pink Vinyl 7”). In total, they’ve sold over 5,000 singles without any backing from a record label. The group ushered in the new millenium with the critically acclaimed, and self released, “How To Fake Your Death” full length album. According to lead vocalist and producer of the album, Joey Bondage, “It was not our intent, but it actually turned into a dark concept album with a slight twist of comedy. I wanted to put out an album that would silence any critic we ever had…from start to finish.” And that they certainly did! By the end of the year, they were selling out well known clubs all across Southern California such as The Glasshouse in Pomona, Chain Reaction in Anaheim, and The Showcase Theatre in Corona just to name a few. In 2004, Narcoleptic Youth released “Chronological Disorder”, a singles collection, which quickly became their top selling album. They also began stepping up into bigger venues opening for groups like The Dead Kennedys at The House of Blues in Anaheim, CA., TSOL at The Henry Fonda Theater in Los Angeles, CA., The Adolescents at Soma in San Diego, CA., as well as tours all across the southwest from Sacramento, CA. to Phoenix, AZ. as direct support for groups like The Adolescents and The Adicts. In addition to these tours the band has also performed in festivals such as several dates on the Warped Tour in 2004, and a co-headlining spot on the 2004 Supercade Music Fest at the Orange Pavilion in San Bernardino with groups such as The Aquabats, Death By Stereo, Strung Out, Throwrag, and The Start. Yet another album was released in 2004 on Galeforce Records called “Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed”, a 4 song EP with two bonus track cover songs: Ignite (Damned) and Bullet (Misfits), as well as 5 live tracks from their show opening for the Subhumans back in 1998. The album was produced by Ulysses Noriega (Offspring, Beck, Lower Class Brats, Channel 3), mastered by East Bay Ray of the Dead Kennedys, and featured artwork by Pete Dee of The Adicts. While the group has gone through a few line up changes over the years, one thing has definitely remained consistent, that being their legendary live concerts which have been known to include not only top notch musical performances, but also whipped cream, cross dressing, Barbie dolls and a few other things we probably shouldn’t mention! Narcoleptic Youth continues to record and pack out venues with original members: Joey Bondage (vocals), Johnny Cat (drums), Jay sin (guitar), and newer member: Junior Mental (bass). Their latest releases are 2007’s vinyl picture disc 7” Cocktail Sword b/w Favourite Dove On Suburbia Records, produced by Ulysses Noriega and the second and final pressing of their Barbi In Bondage 7” on Dr. Strange Records in 2008. Two Narcoleptic Youth songs, “Dear John” and “Headcase” are also featured in the new Stillwater Films award winning documentary, “Punk’s Not Dead”, out now on DVD!. On April 1, 2009 Dr.Strange re-released the CLASSIC "Airplay" album which includes 2 bonus track cover songs and an interview. First 500 copies come with original CD sleaves signed by the band!