When a band comes along that has grasped the influence of bands like the Ramones and Descendents, then interpreted it to make their own punchy, simple-yet-addictively great punk rock tunes, I have to give props. Especially, as is the case with Teenage Bottlerocket, when the band is from a place like Wyoming, which isn’t known for having its finger on the pulse of the American punk scene.
Why It's Hard To "Be" the Ramones
The Ramones and Descendents were examples of punk rock perfection; both bands wrote short, punchy, addictively great punk songs. And still they weren’t overly talented bands. Their music was basic, formulaic and simple.
Which means it should be able to copy easily.
Despite that fact, very few bands that try to pick up the sound do it well. What it is that makes that sound great is somehow unquantifiable most of the time, and all too often the band just sounds bad, sloppy and untalented, or - even worse - a clone.
Teenage Bottlerocket have managed to dodge the bullet of being a cheap pop punk clone, instead producing music that, while undeniably heavily Ramones-influenced, brings forth their original take as well.
'They Came From The Shadows' Does It All Right
It’s readily apparent that this band is staging a full-frontal punk rock assault from the first track on They Came From The Shadows. “Skate Or Die” is a skate punk anthem laden with references to blasts from the past like JFA and Bones Brigade. When the chorus busts out with "Shut up and get rad, 'cause now it's time to skate or die" it really makes me wish my old roommate hadn’t stolen my old skateboard (I know it was you, Cathy!).
Along with this skate anthem, the band brings a few other important messages, songs with self-explanatory titles proving to you that Teenage Bottlerocket is “Bigger Than Kiss” and that they insist you “Call In Sick” to work.
Humor aside, much of the rest album consists of piles and piles of sweet and bittersweet love songs, but not emo “cry in the corner”-type tunes. These love songs, like “Don’t Want To Go,” about avoiding all the places a girl may be, and “Not OK” and “Be With You” which are basic bad relationship tunes, are the type of post-breakup songs we all listened to in high school, that actually made us laugh and or feel better, rather than just bumming us out.
On They Came From The Shadows, Teenage Bottlerocket has remembered what it once took to make great pop punk, and that is… not a lot. No frills or gimmicks, just some hooks, guitar-fueled whirlwinds and catchy lyrics. It’s simple, yet effective, and it’s great to hear a band do it right.
Essential Tracks:
“Skate Or Die” (Listen/Download)
“Bigger Than Kiss” (Listen/Download)
“Call In Sick” (Listen/Download)
“Don’t Want to Go” (Listen/Download)
Release date: Sept.15, 2009
