We are the problem? Cheers!
Despite my love of punk/pop with its sugary sweetness of catchy hooks, harmonies and dumb lyrics, there is still a feeling a little like that of addiction. False highs surrounding something of little or no substance that is great when experiencing, but when it's over you feel like it's something that you really shouldn't be doing. However US Bombs are the true roots of punk, drawing from the rawness of Sex Pistols, and the creative genius of The Clash, and bringing up to the music lovers of today an updated balls-to-the-wall rendition of a music genre that will always be the toughest, and reminding them that punk isn't just about poop and fart jokes, high vocals and high school, but rather about life on the streets, fighting, drinking and politics.
So back together again, crazy rocker Duane Peters-led band of punks have hooked up with the greatly titled label, We Used To Fuck People Like You In Prison Records, to show us that punk is not dead. First song and title track, 'We Are The Problem' as suggests, has a political slanting stating, "We are not the solution, we are the problem!". 'Don't Get Me Wrong' shows you that there is a similarity to Hellcat heroes Rancid with the bar-room anthems spat out to heavy guitars. The other loose resemblance are that both bands have the ability to punk up the classic rock'n'roll formula to give a gritty edge, as per 'Do It Again', that slowed down and smoothed out could well have been sung by teddy boys in days gone by. The great 'Heartbreak Motel' is another example of this which also has a hint of The Clash about it also, which of course is a band admired so much by Mr Peters that he named his son Clash Peters, after them. It's a good thing for the child that he wasn't a Showaddywaddy or Bucks Fizz fan...
'Revolution Weekend' is fast and catchy as hell. '4th Of July' has Duane's Johnny Rotten delivery drawing out the last word of each line. Stating that on this particular date there isn't anybody free. It's not bad for a guy who used to be a pro skateboarder, and used to beat himself up on and off of the stage. 'Hammered Again' is fairly self-explanatory , whilst 'Last Discord' is 11 seconds of New York hardcore.
The Ramones influenced 'Just Like You' could well be The Ramones after a few beers and a bar fight. It's got all of the elements for a catchy chugging pop/rock song, although you can't help but think that to Mr Peters this must be a bit like doing a ballad, and going soft! 'Locked In My Skin' is another slice of raw, but sing-a-long punk. Great stuff.
'Guns Of West' sounds like it could sit nicely on The Clash's second album 'Give 'Em Enough Rope'. 'Back Inside' gives us more classic US Bombs, before things slow down once again for 'Tonight' which sounds like although the music is great, the vocals are basically the band all singing along together at the end of a very hard day. Duane sounds like he could well nod off at any moment and I can only imagine that his eyes are squinting - having given up opening all of the way due to alcohol consumption, a few hours ago. 'Cheers' finished off the album in a very upbeat way saying cheers to everyone and their mother, and suggesting that they "had a good time tonight!".
Having not made as big a name for themselves as I would've thought, 'We Are The Problem' is a great introduction to a band that are the true meaning of punk. This is a great album full of punk/rock songs of unique diversity. Some songs will have you sticking your fingers up at politicians, others will have you wanting to beat the heebie-jeebies out of someone, and then there's the ones that will have you singing in your beer with your fists pumped in the air. One listen, and you'll be punked...!