I Don't Want to Grow Up

Following 1982's classic Milo Goes to College, the original Descendents lineup dissolved, never to reunite—or so it appeared. After Milo Aukerman graduated from college and drummer Bill Stevenson quit his gig as Black Flag's drummer, Descendents reconvened for 1985’s I Don’t Want to Grow Up. Even though the band members were in their mid-20s, their second album confirmed their timeless ability to tap into the adolescent psyche. While the first side features hilarious novelty songs like “Pervert” (about teenage libidos), “GCF” (or “Good Clean Fun,” an anti-drug rant), and “No F.B.” (or “No Fat Beaver,” as goofy as it sounds), the second side has a sequence of songs that personify post-adolescent love in all its poignantly awkward sincerity. “Silly Girl,” “In Love This Way," and “Good Good Things” are such sweet, tuneful songs that they could almost be a SoCal punk update of the Merseybeat melodies of Gerry & The Pacemakers. When Aukerman decided to put aside the barking delivery of his hardcore days, the old punks became the caffeinated power-poppers they'd always wanted to be.