Greg Antista has been around the block more than one time. He is connected to numerous bands and is well known for being a member of Joyride. His home turf is SoCal and naturally his influences reflect that. His band, Greg Antista and The Lonely Streets are set to release a new record called Under The Neon Heat on July 16th. The band consists of Greg on vocals and guitar, Frank Agnew on lead guitar (The Adolescents, 45 Grave) Warren Renfrow on bass (Manic Hispanic, Cadillac Tramps) and Jorge E. Disguster (Disguster, Hangmen) on drums. It's filled with songs that make you want to get in the car and drive. This is a driving down the freeway record with the windows down. It is also very much a California record. Orange County to be exact. The sound of that region is a classic one and the influences are omnipresent on the new album.
But the record doesn't lack originality. It was made by people that were a part of a scene that created the influences that are displayed on it. The album opens with "Down on Commonwealth" and is partly an ode to a homeless man named Kelly Thomas who was beaten to death by the Fullerton police department in Orange County. Although the content is serious the song still has an explosive rythmn to it and is surprisingly upbeat and melodic. The record also has solid hooks with songs like "Tijuana Jail" and "Rosalita" which are straight up dancefloor bangers. Renfrow offers up vocals on the slower "Carmelita" which is a slight parody and cover of a Warren Zevon song. Hence, Warren does Warren in the title. "Feel Alright" has the classic touch of handclaps and piano and the acoustic intro to "Unfinished Business" brings some traditional Americana to the album. This record belongs on a car radio. It also belongs on a turntable because it will be available on 180-gram hot pink vinyl. It should make the top lists for the best new summer releases as that is exactly where it belongs. Also, it needs to be played LOUD.
Punk Globe: Covid sidelined so many artists. How did you stay busy during the pandemic?
Greg: Fortunately, we were able to spend much of 2020 recording and mixing the new record, Under the Neon Heat. We went in the studio in January 2020 but had only finished recording the music when the pandemic shutdown took effect in mid-March. It wasn’t until June that we were able to go back to start on vocals. Then we spent the rest of the lockdown filming some videos and getting the vinyl into production. We certainly had it better than a lot of people.
Punk Globe: You just played Silverado Showdown. How was it?
Greg: The Silverado Showdown was a really great way to get back into doing live shows again. Prior to it, our last live show was in December 2019. I believe the Showdown was the first post-pandemic music festival to take place in So Cal. It was a great vibe and great to be a part of it.
Punk Globe: You have a new record coming out. Will there be any live shows to follow?
Greg: Yes, our second full-length, Under the Neon Heat, is out July 16 and we will be playing live at Alex’s Bar in Long Beach for our record release party the following week on Friday, July 23.
Punk Globe: What can you tell us about it? What does it sound like?
Greg: For me it represents that feeling you get when you walk into a gig that you’ve been waiting forever to happen. Someone described the sound of this record as “punk rock and roll” and I’ll take that as a compliment. There are still elements of roots rock in many of the songs but I think the addition of Frank Agnew of Adolescents fame on guitar has definitely added a harder edge to a lot of the songs. This record is also being released on vinyl, which to me always adds a warmth to the sound. The vinyl is 180-gram hot pink and my test pressing copy looks awesome! Possibly more important than all that, this record features the lead vocal debut of our bass player, Warren Renfrow. He played around a bit with the lyrics to Warren Zevon’s “Carmelita” and has delivered a warm and playful cover tribute.
Punk Globe: "Down on Commonwealth" is a great song.
Greg: Lyrically, “Down on Commonwealth” is all about my recollections of growing up in Fullerton. The intersection of Harbor Boulevard and Commonwealth Avenue was the epicenter of all that. It was home to the first bars we snuck into and the pawn shops where we bought our first guitars. The guys in the band have fond memories of seeing The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Suburbia, The Decline of Western Civilization, and the Clash’s Rude Boy at the local Wilshire and Fox theaters. Fullerton is a conservative town in Orange County and it didn’t take well to the punk rock wave that came at it in the late ‘70s / early ‘80s. For better or worse, everyone in the Lonely Streets was shaped by this clash of cultures and values. I always remember how Fullerton cops prided themselves on not taking shit from anyone, but in 2011 that attitude was taken to another level. That year, six Fullerton cops beat a homeless man named Kelly Thomas to death for no good reason. The whole town took to the streets to demand change and that kind of restored my faith in my little city.
Punk Globe: "Tijuana Jail" really stands out. What is the story on that song?
Greg: The second video from the album is “Tijuana Jail.” Every kid from So Cal heads to Tijuana in search of adventure. This one’s just a fun look at when that adventure goes wrong. We had a blast making the video, hopefully everyone can relate. Frank’s hot ‘n’ spicy surf guitar licks on “Tijuana Jail” really gets people dancing.
Punk Globe: "Rosalita" is also another great song. What inspired that one?
Greg: “Rosalita” expresses the pain and occasional redemption that comes with so many relationships. Yes, the song is at least partially autobiographical. One of my heroes, Johnny Cash, crossed my mind during the writing process. Frank, Warren and Jorge do a great job of delivering some “cowpunk fervor” to the arrangement.
Punk Globe: What inspired you to be in a band and start writing songs?
Greg: Friends in junior high turned me onto my first punk records but I had no idea there was an actual local scene until I met Steve Soto in a drafting class at Troy High School. He had just finished up with Agent Orange and was forming the Adolescents. Members of Agent Orange, the Adolescents and Social Distortion all went to Troy and once I started going to their gigs I knew I wanted to start playing and writing songs as well.
Punk Globe: You have recovery and sobriety now and it didn't come easy. How has that influenced you and do you think that you could be doing what you're doing now musically if drugs were involved?
Greg: Hopefully recovery has given me the clarity to realize what’s important in life as well as making music. For me, all that really matters now in both areas is family, friends, loyalty, and honesty. That’s a lot to live up to but all I can do is my best. I can confidently say that none of what the Lonely Streets has accomplished would have happened if I was still living as an addict. For me, living as an addict for a long period of time was a solitary, selfish, secretive lifestyle. Everything about the Lonely Streets is a team effort and has a real feeling of brotherhood to it. Now that I’ve lived both lives, I choose the Lonely Streets every time.
Punk Globe: Where can people buy the new record?
Greg: Both of our albums — Shake, Stomp and Stumble and Under the Neon Heat — are available at RoadDogMerch.com. Plus, t-shirts and hoodies!
Photos Courtesy of Harmony Gerber.
