Posted by thatcrazycommie on 2006-11-13 18:59:05
My Score:

I love this record. That review was a total crock of shit.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 at 12:32 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Worst review ever. I didn't know what this band or album sounded like before I read it, and I still don't. I can't shake the mental image of the reviewer weeping and masturbating to an Against Me poster as he wrote it.

This band is good. This album is good. This review, not so good. And I'll tell you why, right now. This album never mentions me. This band would be NOTHING without me. Who suggested that these dudes start a band? Me! Who was there to reassure them after the first time they were booed off a stage? Me! Who convinced Eric Solomon to go into rehab when his cocaine addiction almost broke apart the band? Me! I'm so damn rad!

-William Fucking Butler

A firestorm to purify the bane that hippy punks bring to our community!

I can't wait for the next punk firestorm cleansing.

He's a great folk artist, perhaps better than many punk bands, but ultimately has nothing to do with punk, unless you associate leftwing politics automatically with punk.

Well, Bragg isn't even "folk" considering he's not a purely acoustic act. The only difference between him and a "traditional" punk band is the "band" part. The "punk" part still applies.

Of course, he's been called a "one man Clash" for decades so that's not surprising.

The thing that bugs me about this discussion is that this is more of the "exclusionary" attitude that makes "punk" so unforgiving and leads to the stereotype of the close-minded punk rock kid.

People used to tell me that NOFX, The Minutemen and Fugazi weren't punk. I'd hate to start thinking like that.

I don't think anything's been "broken down." Perhaps it's evolved. Bob Dylan used to play in rock n roll bands- I can see how one could enjoy punk rock and folk music.

My idea of punk is simple, but encompasses a lot. Not overly technical, overly-produced, or overly radio-sounding rock-based music based around short, controlled bursts of noise. But hey, maybe this is why I usually prefer bands to release 7 inches over LP's. I know for sure why it pretty much disqualifies folk groups. And pretty much all these rap groups people pretend are punk (though I can see the influence on them).

I agree, punk can't change shit. Culture is the effect, not the cause, in most cases.

That's clever how you acted as if you ignored my sarcasm.

Verrrrrry clever.

Seriously, I can't even gauge what exactly it is that you think "punk" means or is. I think the barriers between all the different genres of music were broken down a long time ago and we've had some far better music be made because of it.

People who have these really rigid definitions of what "punk" is or (perhaps more importantly) can be remind me of that old joke:

How many punks does it take to change a lightbulb?

PUNK CAN'T CHANGE ANYTHING!

I agree, Fuzzy. He's a great folk artist, perhaps better than many punk bands, but ultimately has nothing to do with punk, unless you associate leftwing politics automatically with punk.

Billy Bragg is completely irrelevant to the punk scene.

...

......

.........

hey will, not sure if you're listening to the same defiance, ohio as me, but they're just a punk band playing acoustic instruments. name one folk group that they have more in common with than your average punk band. if you think defiane or this bike are folk rock, i'd like to know what folk rock bands you think they sound like.

No, to be considered relevant to this scene to me, your band needs to actually play punk music. These bands are basically telling kids "yeah this mainstream melodic music can be rebellious too!"

Since fucking when did unity and acoustic sing alongs have anything to do with punk rock.

And no, I'm not saying it's bad because I've seen Defiance, OH twice, but I'm sick of kids latching on and trying to make it something it's not (like this review). It's folk rock. Nothing to do with the punk scene. Just like Billy Bragg or whoever.

there always seems to be something masturbatory about bands singing about singing your heart out.

This band actually gives me hope for a future of punk rock that doesn't involve shit-talking, macho crap, and bad haircuts. God, I hope it catches on, because these guys are the best. They are also rad live! fuck yeah!

Bob Dylan is not a hippie.

And the reason I consider Defiance and This Bike irrelevant to any punk scene is because their shows are more like hippy gatherings than punk shows. I don't go to punk shows to fucking chant along with some dork on his acoustinc guitar. Punk has variants, but it IS a form of music, and I don't find it linked with protest-folk or "indie rock."

Will, where do you go see shows at? At all the Pipe Bomb and D,OH shows I've been to there's been pile-ons, dancing, finger pointing, and screaming along. And you're talking about "forms of music" not "forms of concerts" and if you can't see the direct connection between Pipe Bomb or D,OH and punk then you're blinding yourself just to try and make a point.

Posted by jumptheshark on 2006-08-12 15:29:50
My Score:

Definitely really like the album, and they are in fact all awesome guys....

however, that review was a poorly written pile-o-shit

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, August 12, 2006 at 2:49 PM (EDT)
My Score:

better then rosa!

I must clarify again: this is not a "hippie punk' band.

Although I am going to see Defiance and This Bike tonight. Should be BITCHIN! Huzzaaahhh!

"The thing about these guys is they're a band you need to see live before you hear them. It will make you appreciate them that much more. Especially when everyone in attendance (I live in Houston) sings the chorus to Remember When it Meant Something. Plus, Eric and Jeff are awesome guys. So is Aaron."

They might be great guys that put on a great live show...but that is completely irrelevant to what this record sounds like...this is a record review not a live review and people wanna know whether or not this record is worth picking up

Posted by Deadpan on 2006-08-12 07:28:44
My Score:

This album's ok, but you've gotta be tripping if you think there's anything revolutionary about it. The same song over and over for half an hour? It's catchy, but nothing that hasn't been heard before. Or done better for that matter.

"Actually, 'hippie' would mean something more than punk, when you consider the fact that the hippie movement was founded on an actual principle, specifically opposition to the Vietnam war, while punk (depending on which origin theory you subscribe to) was a bunch of spoiled suburban kids angry about absolutely nothing! Don't misunderstand, I', not discounting the bands who actually have/do stand for something, but I've never understood the anti-hippie backlash in punk-rock! What's the difference between Crass being anti-war and Bob Dylan opposing war?"

Yeah, suburban kids singing about nothing. As opposed to hippies singing about elves sitting on mushrooms and shit. Don't let your dad convince you songs about hobbits and shit ended the war.

It's pop culture. It's plastic.

And the reason I consider Defiance and This Bike irrelevant to any punk scene is because their shows are more like hippy gatherings than punk shows. I don't go to punk shows to fucking chant along with some dork on his acoustinc guitar. Punk has variants, but it IS a form of music, and I don't find it linked with protest-folk or "indie rock."

I really can't get into this band, am I a bad person?

"This band isn't really exactly folk-punk. I mean they share some similarities to early Against Me! stuff but really they're more in a Ted Leo mets Hot Water Music kinda vein."

couldn't agree more.

yeah i have a copy of the album. i have 13/200.

And I have not yet heard this band, my comment was referring more to bands like Defiance Ohio or TBIAPB.

"All of a sudden stupid kids are being fooled into believing this hippy bullshit is punk rock or means anything."

Actually, 'hippie' would mean something more than punk, when you consider the fact that the hippie movement was founded on an actual principle, specifically opposition to the Vietnam war, while punk (depending on which origin theory you subscribe to) was a bunch of spoiled suburban kids angry about absolutely nothing! Don't misunderstand, I', not discounting the bands who actually have/do stand for something, but I've never understood the anti-hippie backlash in punk-rock! What's the difference between Crass being anti-war and Bob Dylan opposing war?

Posted by chickswithdicks on 2006-08-11 21:49:49
My Score:

oh, and i suggest getting a bassist and probably another guitar.

Posted by chickswithdicks on 2006-08-11 21:47:34
My Score:

the songs on their purevolume have good potential, but they still sound like a rather run of the mill local band.

It's good, it's not great, but it's good. The split was with Saw Wheel, Adam.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 11, 2006 at 5:56 PM (EDT)
My Score:

i love this band and these buddies of mine!

grant o.

Posted by el_matt on 2006-08-11 16:58:59
My Score:

The review starts pretty good, but it hardly mentions anything about the songs in it.

Good album. Mine says 63/200 on it, does anyone else own a copy of this album? What number does it have?

Posted by sinktexassink on 2006-08-11 15:53:38
My Score:

The thing about these guys is they're a band you need to see live before you hear them. It will make you appreciate them that much more. Especially when everyone in attendance (I live in Houston) sings the chorus to Remember When it Meant Something. Plus, Eric and Jeff are awesome guys. So is Aaron.

They're really not THAT good. I hear they're nice guys though. I also hear they sound kinda bad live.
-The Whites

Will: You obviously haven't actually LISTENED to this band, nor done any research about them. I suggest... stfu.

This band isn't really exactly folk-punk. I mean they share some similarities to early Against Me! stuff but really they're more in a Ted Leo mets Hot Water Music kinda vein. Very good, very straightforward songs. In addition, Eric and Jeff are two cool mother fuckers.

this isnt a folk album, or even a folk punk album............this is simply a punk rock album. this is what punk is and should be. fuck the tags everyone puts on these records. wake up.

Shouting at all times is a staple of orgcore bands. Look at Latterman.

-skaboom

I haven't heard this yet but the impression I got from O Pioneers!!! on their last split (with Ghost Mice I believe) was that this is a band in which the singer is shouting at ALL TIMES, despite the volume and intensity of the actual music going on in the song itself. I hope that improved a bit for this release.

-adam

my copy should be at the place i reside at when i get home from work.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 11, 2006 at 9:50 AM (EDT)
My Score:

this record is pretty okay, I don't think this review is all that bad but then again I'm the evil reviewer from beyond having taste.

- APK

Superdude,

1. You have been funny.

2. You're getting less funny.

3. Maybe you should come up with a new thing before it gets really fucking stale.

This review was pretty good, except:

1. What does Mitch Clem do in this band?

2. I didn't know he drew snakes.

3. Pioneer village?

4. Of course they are folky, they are pioneers.

5. Emerginf from Tony Hawk's Underground?

bad review. too fan boy-ish..."that's the beauty in folk-punk...blah blah blah.." awesome.
-TOBB

first "mitch clem filled the cup" comment.

Posted by WilliamMarinovic on 2006-08-11 01:23:24
My Score:

Yeah, something is happening.

All of a sudden stupid kids are being fooled into believing this hippy bullshit is punk rock or means anything.

Your review sounds like this band just formed and charged the capital and ushered in a utopia of badly played folk music.

Posted by gladimnotemo on 2006-08-11 01:19:52
My Score:

This review made me LOL for the first three paragraphs or so. Good job keeping me awake at this late hour.

it's not officially "out" yet. This is a review of the limited tour pressing.

Team Science is doing the CD.
Underground Communique is doing the LP.
both will be ready in late September / early October...most likely the latter on the LP.

Aaron is still a rad dude.
I love those other two dudes too.
best. people. ever.

I didn't even know this came out wtf.