Agent 51
Agent 51 is a vibrant punk rock band from Poway, California that burst onto the scene in 1995. The band, initially named Area 51, navigated the dynamic punk rock landscape alongside notable contemporaries like Blink-182 and Unwritten Law. Founding members Chris Armes, Jered Herndon, and Eric Davis, influenced by their high school connection with Blink-182’s Tom DeLonge, embarked on this musical journey. The band’s original lineup featured Chris Armes on guitar and vocals, Jered Herndon on bass guitar and vocals, and Eric “Airwick” Davis on drums.
Formation and Early Years
Area 51 originated in 1995, riding the wave of the local punk rock movement. Following the breakup of their previous band, Openfast, Armes and Herndon founded Area 51. The band’s demo, including tracks like “Chuck,” “Designed,” “Runnin’ Outta Luck,” and “Homecoming Queen,” quickly gained traction, setting the stage for their growing popularity. In 1997, personal issues led to Herndon’s departure, and the band decided to change their name to Agent 51.
The revamped lineup, with Greg Schneider on bass and Rob Hunter on drums, released their debut album, Red Alert, in 1998 through Alphabet Records. This album catapulted Agent 51 into the local punk rock scene’s spotlight. The band, now embracing a secret agent mythos, donned matching black suits during performances, amplifying the intrigue around their image.
Musical Evolution and Mythos Expansion
As the band’s evolution continued, Mike “Mikey L” Levinson replaced Hunter on drums for their second album, Just Keep Runnin’, released in 2000 on their label Suburban Hooligans Records. The album showcased a faster, less punk-based sound and delved deeper into their secret agent mythology. The band’s theme of rogue agents enhanced with superpowers through extraterrestrial DNA and technology unfolded in the album’s artwork and liner notes.
The attention garnered by Just Keep Runnin’ attracted Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day and his label Adeline Records. The album was re-released in 2001 with bonus tracks recorded with new bassist Sean Scura. Despite lineup changes, Agent 51 continued to tour, participating in the Warped Tour and contributing to the soundtrack of the short-lived San Diego public-access TV show Radiation Nation.
Peak, Transition, and Success
Agent 51’s third album, The Red & the Black (2003), released on Surfdog Records, marked a shift towards classic rock and heavy metal influences. The band distanced themselves from the secret agent mythos, focusing on a sound reminiscent of bands like AC/DC, Motörhead, and Def Leppard. The album received recognition at the 2003 San Diego Music Awards, winning “best punk album.”
Despite their growing popularity, internal pressures led Chris Armes to announce his departure in 2003. The band faced a period of transition and eventual inactivity until June 2005 when they played a reunion show at SOMA, donning matching black suits once again. The band’s sporadic activity continued with members pursuing different projects.
Reunion and Recent Activity
Agent 51 experienced reunion shows in 2008 and 2012, showcasing the classic lineup along with additional members. The band remained mostly inactive, with occasional performances and digital releases. In 2021, Chris Armes released his solo album Ocotillo Rose.
Band Members
Classic Lineup
- Chris “Broken” Armes: Guitar, Lead Vocals
- Eric “Airwick / E-Rock” Davis: Guitar, Vocals
- Sean Scura: Bass, Vocals
- Mike “Mikey Hell” Levinson: Drums
Past Members
- Jered Herndon: Bass (1995-1997)
- Rob Hunter: Drums (1997–1999)
- Greg Schneider: Bass (1997–2000)
Recent Lineup (2008 and 2012)
- Chris Armes: Guitar, Vocals
- Eric Davis: Guitar, Vocals
- Sean Scura: Bass
- Greg Schneider: Bass
- Adam Rapps: Drums
Discography
Studio Albums
- Red Alert (1998): Alphabet Records
- Just Keep Runnin’ (2000): Suburban Hooligans / Adeline Records
- The Red & the Black (2003): Surfdog Records
EPs
- Agent 51 (2003): Surfdog Records – Teaser with four songs from The Red & the Black
- Operation Panther E.P. (2012): Suburban Hooligans – Digital download
Singles
- “Tear It All Down” (2023): Suburban Hooligans – Download and streaming
- “Let Me Go” (2023): Suburban Hooligans – Download and streaming
Demos
- Demos and More (1998): MP3.com – Includes demos and finished tracks for Red Alert
Music Videos
- Red Alert (1998)
- Radiation Nation (Flax Glor) – From Warped Tour 2000 Compilation
Other Appearances
Various songs featured on compilation albums and as music downloads. Notable mentions include “Fight for Your Right” (Beastie Boys cover), “Hardcore Hooligan,” “Wrecking Ball,” “Sandra Dee,” and more.
