The Vandals are an American punk rock band, established in 1980 in Orange County, California. They have released ten full-length studio albums, three live albums, 3 live DVDs and have toured the world extensively, including performances on the Vans Warped Tour. They are well known for their use of humor, preferring to use their music as a vehicle for comedy and sarcasm rather than as a platform for more serious issues. Kung Fu Records, founded in 1996 by Escalante and Fitzgerald has signed and launched many punk rock bands.
Left to right: Escalante, Quackenbush, Freese, and Fitzgerald in 2011
The Vandals performing in Tucson, Arizona, in 1984, showing original members Stevo and Jan Nils Ackermann, with bassist Chalmer Lumary in the background).
Dave Quackenbush replaced Stevo as the Vandals' singer in 1985.
After the departure of the band's early members, bassist Joe Escalante retained rights to the Vandals' name and catalogue.
Joseph Patrick Escalante is an American television writer, film and television director, musician, radio host, and former television executive. He is known professionally as the bassist and songwriter for the punk rock band The Vandals, and creator and episodic director of the paranormal travel series Monsters Across America on Fox Nation.
Escalante performing with The Vandals on the 2004 Warped Tour in Noblesville, Indiana.
