If you were waiting on a blog about pop-punk from Wyoming, you’re in luck.
A milestone of sorts this week, the twentieth edition of these blogs. It feels appropriate to focus on yet another group of bands my late friend Philip encouraged me to listen to.
The last time we hung out in person included jumping around singing along with Teenage Bottlerocket during the daytime, side stage, outside in the Texas heat; It was Riot Fest 2012, Dallas. I’d suggested we check out Off With Their Heads, but we ended up walking right by as TBR was starting their set.
It was a pretty epic concert where we got to see Less Than Jake, The Gaslight Anthem, NOFX, and the Dependents reunion tour. Incidentally, we also witnessed the tragedy that was Andrew W.K.’s 20 minute “set”. It was mostly drunken rambling about how last night’s concert was awful, thus assuring today’s would be at least as bad. Is it too much to expect lots of party songs from this dude? (No, it’s not.)
Philip’s genius showed in many ways, but that day’s proof was how he suggested we split the cost of the show. He bought the tickets and had me purchase the VIP Parking pass. We were coasting out of the parking lot, 100 yards from the entrance, zero traffic, just as Rise Against was starting. Success.
Note: In addition to today’s songs, you’ll find some bonus TBR videos at the end.
Teenage Bottlerocket “Skate or Die”
It is as good a place as any to start. “Classic” Wyoming Pogo Punk* song with the vocals you’ll come to love. The energy put forth here is exactly why Teenage Bottlerocket can be the perfect band for the right mood. Not much for deep introspective lyrics, but they can (and do) pull off an amazing song about being bigger than KISS.
The band was started by two brothers from Wyoming. They were fans of the Lillingtons, also from Wyoming. Who are the Lillingtons? Keep reading…
*that is not a thing, probably
The Lillingtons “Project 313”
The brothers from TBR were trying to go on their first major tour and their other guitar player couldn’t make it. Why not ask their buddy Kody, lead singer of the already established and touring band the Lillingtons. He accepted, brought some songs along and officially joined the band.
His original band put out another album in 2017, and the fans (appropriately) rejoiced. Not be outdone in the lyrics department, these guys can (and do) pull off an amazing song about bullshit penetrating X-Ray Specs.
Teenage Bottlerocket “Nothing Else Matters (When I’m with You)”
Nope, it’s not a Metallica cover, but there are at least 12 unique songs and lyrics referenced from the those Bay Area metal guys. Listening to the song, it’s hard not to hear a little *DING* after each reference. I think it’s a throw back to the *DING* we did at the titular line in each Wire episode. (Yes, there were a few of them in the lead-in scene before the title card. Gotta stay on your toes.)
Anyway, from what I can tell, there are references to:
Songs : “Nothing Else Matters”, “The Unforgiven”, “The Unforgiven Two”, “Frayed Ends of Sanity”, “Shortest Straw”, “Fade to Black”, “Hit the Lights”, “Escape”, “Jump into the Fire”, “Blackened”, “One”
Albums: …And Justice for All, Kill ’em All
Lyrics Quoted: ‘I can’t remember anything / I can’t tell if this is true or dream.’, ‘The shortest straw had been pulled for’ [me]
Bass Players: Jason Newsted
There is a Ray Rocket (solo side project) version of this song that I almost included instead. Full band version is a better song, but the lettering transitions on the lyrics are almost bad enough to switch them out.
FUN BONUS TBR VIDEOS!!
“I Wanna Be a Dog”
Well… what do you think it is about? Sara’s favorite part is when it keeps cutting back and they have progressively more dogs with them.
“Why the Big Pause?”
Ya get it? You will.
