D.I.

D.I.

D.I. is a punk band from Fullerton, California, active since 1982. It comes out of the early Orange County punk scene and is linked with other local bands such as The Adolescents, Social Distortion and Agent Orange.

History

The band forms in Fullerton in 1983, working from a studio behind a pawn shop. It develops in the same local environment as the area’s early punk pioneers and builds a style that fits the Orange County punk sound in both music and attitude.

D.I. gains wider attention after performing “Richard Hung Himself” with its original line-up in the film Suburbia, directed by Penelope Spheeris. The band’s first EP is titled Team Goon.

Line-up and personnel

After the first EP, D.I. goes through a line-up change. Members from the Fullerton band Almost 21 become central to the band’s later sound. Casey Royer fronts the group and is known for social commentary delivered through humour. Rikk Agnew of The Adolescents joins on guitar and brings songs including “Falling Out” and “OC Life”, which also appear on his solo album All By Myself.

The group changes members many times over the years, drawing heavily from the Fullerton and north Orange County punk scene. Named members include Frederic Taccone, Casey Royer, Rikk Agnew, Alfie Agnew, John Knight, John Calabro, Steve Garcia, Mark Cerneka, Greg Jones and Timothy Maag. Later line-ups include Casey Royer on vocals, Eddie Tatar on bass, Joey Tatar on drums, Chickenhead on rhythm guitar and Clinton Calton on lead guitar.

Activity and releases

D.I. tours extensively in North America and Europe. Its output includes an eighth release, On The Western Front.