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U.S. Bombs

We Are the Problem
2006
Sailor's Grave

U.S. Bombs - We Are the Problem (Cover Artwork)

Review by: Adam
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Published on April 4th 2006

Duane Peters has proven to be one of the most prolific personalities in the entire modern punk scene. While U.S. Bombs haven't released a full length since 2003, Peters has since recorded and toured behind his other bands Die Hunns and the Gunfight. He's reissued material from his early act the Exploding Fuck Dolls and produced just about every band his revitalized Disaster Records imprint recently released. That already busy schedule's topped off with Peters' new role as dad to the charmingly named Clash Peters. That the U.S. Bombs have semi-regularly released 7"s in this period is a feat in itself, let alone a new record.

So when a two year slice of an individual's discography surpasses some bands' entire careers, what more can be said about it? The Bombs certainly aren’t changing their game at this point, and fans of Peters' `77 inspired street punk know what to expect with We Are the Problem. The band continues to draw more from the early Clash these days, moving further away from the Pistols inspired sound of Back at the Laundromat. The U.S. Bombs still sound like an established act though; they found their niche years ago and while some may dwell on comparing the "era" of War Birth with that of the newer material the band's likely doesn't see it that way. This is life for these guys and it's pretty safe to say they're going to continue soldiering on for as long as they can. The "album cycle" is merely perception. It's us looking in from the outside.

Like Covert Action, this record does throw a few curve balls that you'll either take as a fun diversion or loath based on your tolerance for Peters' vocals. "Heartbreak Motel" in a piano driven 50's style sing-along of the sorts you'd expect form the Kings Of Nuthin. Lyrically, it's a half-hearted apology for abusing a comically long list of drugs, and Peters' sells what's otherwise a throwaway by not taking it too seriously himself. "Just Like You" is snotty punk not unlike that of the Briefs and employs a noticeably different vocal style (whether it's Peters' employing some effect or in fact Martinez or Stitch manning the mic I leave to you). "Guns of the West" is a very Clash like rockabilly-tinged number that's perhaps the best realized departure on the record.

Still, while I imagine Peters would love to crank out his own London Calling with a grand pastiche of styles, that's not this band's strength. The U.S. Bombs truly click when they launch themselves into a song with guitars blazing and Peters' spitting fire, making songs like "Hammered Again" outpace the experiments by miles. The band knows this and We Are The Problem is rightfully stacked with what works.

Of course Peters' next album, be it with the Hunns or Gunfight, is probably already in the works and that will give this record little room to resonate. Perhaps that's part of the plan though, as U.S. Bombs seem to work best in succinct, powerful busts.

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Posted by JohnnyTwoTits on 2006-08-30 16:46:06

this album is so fucking good. me love it long time!!! i bought it when i was in kentuckey, and it was the onley punk album it the fucking stoor...

Posted by Chowdah on 2006-08-15 22:24:15
My Score:

As a huge U.S. Bombs fan, I had mixed feelings about this record. First of all, it rocks with a 77 punk-meets-Americana intensity similar to "The World", an earlier release on Hellcat. At the same time however, other genres are explored. They do a bit of country, some Pogues-esque Irishy stuff etc. All in all a solid record, not their best, but not their worst either.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, June 24, 2006 at 6:55 PM (EDT)
My Score:

I hear Ramones and The Clash in this album, US Bombs-style. 77-punk 2006-style. Good record.

Posted by punksxe on 2006-05-09 09:00:59
My Score:

This is one of the best efforts i have seen from the bombs in a while. There last cd was shit so they had to do something good or they would lose alot of respect. Thank god that did not happen this cd is better than I thought it would be. The first song which is also the bands first single of the cd is we are the problem is a energetic 77 anthem and the rest of the cd follows. So if your a fan or you like punk buy it.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 at 10:51 AM (EDT)

i must say i'm totally surpirsed that there isn't some better comments on this album, thisalbus is awesome, i love every song........

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 6, 2006 at 1:30 PM (EDT)

"And did you ever seem them when they were the house band on Premium Blend?"

Yes! that had to be what like '97 or something?! always thought that was weird
-Janelle

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 6, 2006 at 9:00 AM (EDT)

wheres the DEVIL DOGS Review ??? (30 sizzling slabs..)

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 6, 2006 at 12:01 AM (EDT)
My Score:

fuck society!!

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 at 4:19 PM (EDT)

last resort rule (ok the lyrics are a bit stupid)

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 at 4:18 PM (EDT)

The Last Resort I'm thinking of are just a shitty oi band. And if you know anything, you'd know Oi and 77 punk don't have much in common. Maybe there's another?

-Will

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 at 3:21 PM (EDT)

I think this album is ok, but it donest make you want to listen to it over and over again. Moreover, the songs pace is a bit slower than Covert Action. Finally, great surf punk bands are The Turbo A.C.'s and The Pushers.

Posted by rocon65 on 2006-04-05 14:35:22
My Score:

really cool!!!!

Posted by rkl on 2006-04-05 11:06:47
My Score:

when i listen to the us bombs, i hear more of the last resort than anything.
but i guess if youve never actually listened to 77 , and just want to paint something with a broad generalization, then the sex pistols are the way to go.

Posted by sickboi on 2006-04-05 10:20:46

Will -

I really seem them as a street punk/surf punk fusion. Listen to the album The World....

And did you ever seem them when they were the house band on Premium Blend?

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 at 2:20 AM (EDT)

no, vinnie is the problem. he needs to stop writing pop shit like "overated."

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at 9:05 PM (EDT)

SickBoi-

The US Bombs are not surfpunk whatsoever. At all. Unless I haven't heard their surf punk album that they secretly released.

I mean, really, I know you don't like to give the Sex Pistols their credit, but in describing the sound of the Bombs, there's no way of getting around it.

-Will

Posted by gladimnotemo on 2006-04-04 15:36:11
My Score:

I like the US Bombs. I love Duane Peters. However, this really seems to be re-hashing the same thing over and over. If you own one US Bombs / Hunns album, you're pretty much set. It's good to see this kind of music still get attention, but it's not groundbreaking or anything.

Posted by moneenerd on 2006-04-04 13:28:27

anybody see LITTLERUNAWAY, that porn that the US Bombs were in?

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at 1:06 PM (EDT)

You own one U.S. album... you own them all.

Posted by Otter on 2006-04-04 09:49:00

anybody remember the old warped tour dvd were he is all drunk and running around on stage. that shit was the best.

Posted by sickboi on 2006-04-04 09:17:52

I can see the Lydon vocals, but the music is much more "surf punk"...at least their Hellcat days.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at 9:09 AM (EDT)
My Score:

how great is the end of "don't get me wrong" when he sounds like an animal:"RaarrrrrWRONGGG!"
-Janelle

still, best song is "hammered again" :)

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at 8:44 AM (EDT)

good stuff, but i just listened to the oblivians "popular favourites" and it blew me away

Posted by swingline on 2006-04-04 04:02:52

i rry like this.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at 2:28 AM (EDT)

Okay I just noticed that 2 other people pointed that. SORRY.

-Will

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at 2:27 AM (EDT)

Sickboi-

Musically and vocally, US Bombs owe a ton more to the Sex Pistols than almost any other band. They are just straight forward UK 77 punk.

-Will

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at 1:47 AM (EDT)

I definitely agree with the Sex Pistols comparisons. A few years ago, US Bombs were to the Pistols what Rancid was to the Clash. I can't say I've heard this record or the last Bombs' effort but I don't think they'll ever overshadow that with DK influences.

Posted by joeg on 2006-04-04 01:34:15

duane peters is a LOT closer to john lydon than jello biafra. i don't even know where you're getting the jello comparison.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at 1:29 AM (EDT)

bad review - talk about the song lyrics too please

Posted by sickboi on 2006-04-04 01:05:00

Will -

Young sir, you seem to be a genuinely well informed guy. But a Sex Pistols thing?

I've always thought he was more along the lines of DK.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at 12:58 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Hell bent on retro is fine by me...

Posted by TheOneTrueBill on 2006-04-04 00:32:43

Shite, I didn't know this was out already. I'll agree with everyone about the Bombs; if you listen for too long at a time they'll get boring but I always end up buying their new albums or 7"s when I see them. My favorite part is actually Peters's voice; it's bad and he knows it, and uses it the right way. That's the problem with most so-called "77" style, it tries to do too much and sound too pretty.

In other words, good review, thanks for reminding me about this.

Posted by joeg on 2006-04-04 00:25:32

I was never really into us bombs. like will said, they can be fun for a few songs and then after awhile it gets old.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at 12:16 AM (EDT)

I would really like this band and the Hunns and Gunfight if only DP didn't sound like a deeper voiced and even more downs' syndromed up Tim Armstrong.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at 12:13 AM (EDT)

This guy is cool, but how many times can you re-do the Sex Pistols thing? Good songs, but really nothing original and after a while it gets old because Duanne seems hell-bent on keeping the sound retro.

-Will