Fear of a Punk Planet is the third album by the southern California punk rock band The Vandals, originally released in 1990 by Triple X Records. It was their first album to include the lineup of Dave Quackenbush, Warren Fitzgerald, Joe Escalante and Josh Freese, solidifying the band's roster after several years of fluctuation. This lineup would remain intact for the rest of the band's career, and for this reason Fear of a Punk Planet is considered by many fans to be the first proper album by the "new" Vandals. The album returned the band to their punk rock sound, after having played mostly in a country style on their previous album Slippery When Ill. The band would stick to a punk rock formula throughout the rest of their career. The album's title called to mind the rap album Fear of a Black Planet by Public Enemy, released that same year. It featured guest appearances by Dweezil and Moon Unit Zappa, Scott Thunes and Kelsey Grammer. An independent music video was filmed for the album's first track, "Pizza Tran."
The album was re-released with bonus tracks in 2000 by the band's own label Kung Fu Records in order to celebrate its tenth anniversary.
All Music Guide published a mostly positive review by Victor W. Valdivia, who commented "Even if the constant juvenile humor grates after a while, the Vandals are still more composed and entertaining than most."[2]
Reception
| Professional ratings |
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| Review scores |
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| Source | Rating |
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| AllMusic |   [1] |
Track listing
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| 1. | "Pizza Tran" | Joe Escalante, Warren Fitzgerald, Dave Quackenbush, Josh Freese | 2:29 |
| 2. | "The Rodge" | Escalante, Fitzgerald, Quackenbush | 4:06 |
| 3. | "Join Us for Pong" | Escalante, Fitzgerald | 2:45 |
| 4. | "Hey Holmes!" | Escalante, Fitzgerald, Chris Lagerborg | 2:45 |
| 5. | "Girls Turn 18 Every Day" | Escalante, Fitzgerald, Quackenbush, Freese | 2:47 |
| 6. | "Kill My Tenant" | Escalante, Quackenbush | 2:24 |
| 7. | "Summer Lovin'" (Grease parody) | Escalante, Jim Jacobs, Warren Casey | 2:45 |
| 8. | "The Day Farrah Fawcett Died" | Escalante | 2:23 |
| 9. | "Anti" | Fitzgerald, Quackenbush | 2:04 |
| 10. | "Teenage Idol" (originally performed by Ricky Nelson) | Jack Lewis | 1:47 |
| 11. | "Small Wonder" | Escalante, Fitzgerald, Quackenbush | 4:35 |
| 12. | "Phone Machine" | Escalante, Fitzgerald, Quackenbush | 1:42 |
| Total length: | 32:38 |
- Record label:
- Recorded at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, California and Master Control in Burbank, California
- Mixed by Gary McGachan and Andrew Ballard at Master Control Assistants.
- Produced by Bob Casale
- Art direction:
- original release: Steve Martinez
- re-release: Sergie
- Cover art by Rudolph Schwarzkogler, courtesy of the Gallery Krinzinger in Vienna
- Photographs by Mollye Moore, assisted by Elena Ray and Melody
- All songs published by Puppety Frenchman publishing SESAC except "Teenage Idol" by Nelson Music ASCAP, "Summer Lovin'" by Edwin H. Morris Music ASCAP, and "Kokomo" by Buena Vista Music Co., Clairaudient Music Corp., Daywin Music Inc. & Spirit One Music.
