All

ALL is an American punk rock band that originated in Los Angeles, California, in 1987. Formed by three members of the legendary punk band Descendents—Bill Stevenson, Karl Alvarez, and Stephen Egerton—the band has become a respected name in the punk rock scene, known for their fast-paced, melodic sound and their distinctive mascot, Allroy. Currently based in Fort Collins, Colorado, ALL has released a series of influential albums and continues to perform live, keeping their energetic spirit alive.

History

Formation and Cruz Records Years

ALL was born out of necessity when Descendents’ lead singer Milo Aukerman left the band in 1987 to pursue a graduate degree in biochemistry. Rather than disband, the remaining members—guitarist Stephen Egerton, bassist Karl Alvarez, and drummer Bill Stevenson—decided to continue making music. They adopted the name ALL, inspired by the title of the last Descendents album, ALL, which encapsulated their dedication to pushing musical boundaries.

With former Dag Nasty and DYS vocalist Dave Smalley on board, ALL released their debut album, Allroy Sez, in 1988, followed by the EP Allroy for Prez the same year. Both releases were distributed by Cruz Records and received critical acclaim for their energetic and melodic approach to punk rock. Smalley left the band in 1989, and Scott Reynolds took over as the new lead vocalist. With Reynolds, ALL released several more albums, including Allroy’s Revenge (1989), Allroy Saves (1990), and Percolater (1992). The band also released the live album Trailblazer in 1990 and collaborated with former Descendents member Tony Lombardo on the album New Girl, Old Story under the name TonyALL.

During this period, ALL became known for their relentless touring schedule, living in a small office complex and spending much of their time on the road. After a brief stint in Brookfield, Missouri, the band relocated to Fort Collins, Colorado, where they found a more central location for touring. In 1993, Scott Reynolds left the band and was replaced by Chad Price. That same year, ALL released the album Breaking Things, which was well-received by critics and fans alike.

Interscope/Epitaph Years

In 1995, ALL signed with major label Interscope Records and released the album Pummel. However, disputes over marketing and promotion led to a short-lived relationship with the label. Despite the release of the single and video “Million Bucks,” the album received mixed reviews, leading the band to part ways with Interscope. ALL soon found a new home with Epitaph Records, where they released several more albums, including the critically acclaimed Mass Nerder (1998) and Problematic (2000).

During this time, Milo Aukerman returned to record with the Descendents, resulting in the 1996 album Everything Sucks. Stevenson, Alvarez, and Egerton continued to juggle their commitments between both bands, culminating in the release of the 2001 live split album Live Plus One, featuring both ALL and Descendents performances.

Hiatus

Following the release of Problematic, ALL entered a period of reduced activity as members pursued other musical projects. Bill Stevenson and Karl Alvarez remained in Fort Collins, with Stevenson running his recording studio, The Blasting Room, and playing in bands like Only Crime and The Lemonheads. Alvarez contributed bass to various projects, including The Lemonheads’ 2006 album and tours with Gogol Bordello. Stephen Egerton moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he started his own studio, Armstrong Records, and worked on multiple musical projects, including collaborations with former ALL vocalist Scott Reynolds. Chad Price focused on his alt-country band Drag the River and touring with Rocky Votolato.

Reunion

In 2008, ALL reunited with Scott Reynolds for a series of performances, including a set at Chicago’s Riot Fest and shows in Japan and Denver. The band continued to reunite for special performances over the years, including a 2009 tour with Big Drill Car and a 2011 set at Punk Rock Bowling featuring all three of their vocalists—Dave Smalley, Scott Reynolds, and Chad Price.

ALL’s reunions have been sporadic but memorable, with notable performances at events like the Amnesia Rockfest in 2015 and various Descendents shows where Scott Reynolds and Chad Price joined for ALL songs. In 2019, the band played two sets in Fort Collins to celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Blasting Room, and in 2021, they performed at Punk Rock Bowling with Chad Price on vocals. ALL continues to make appearances, including a 2023 performance at Fest and an upcoming show at Punk Rock Bowling in 2024.

Allroy

ALL’s mascot, Allroy, is a neon yellow cartoon character with spiked hair, whorls for eyes, and a large, toothy grin, often depicted battling an anthropomorphic musical note. Created by bassist Karl Alvarez, Allroy first appeared on the cover of the band’s debut album Allroy Sez and has since become a central figure in the band’s visual identity. Allroy represents the band’s commitment to their unique brand of punk rock, embodying the quirky, energetic spirit of ALL.

Band Members

Current Members

• Karl Alvarez – bass (1987–present)
• Stephen Egerton – guitar (1987–present)
• Bill Stevenson – drums (1987–present)
• Chad Price – lead vocals (1993–present)

Former Members

• Dave Smalley – lead vocals (1987–1989)
• Scott Reynolds – lead vocals (1989–1993)

Discography

For a comprehensive list, see ALL discography.

Studio Albums

• Allroy Sez (1988)
• Allroy’s Revenge (1989)
• Allroy Saves (1990)
• New Girl, Old Story (1991)
• Percolater (1992)
• Breaking Things (1993)
• Pummel (1995)
• Mass Nerder (1998)
• Problematic (2000)