Every now and then a band comes along that you listen to. They may not be your favorite band in the world, but you still love rocking their CD whenever you get the chance. They are the awkward kid band that you know is going to do whatever the hell they want and you respect that and think it's awesome. If that band was getting kicked in the mud, you would have no qualms about kicking some ass in the name of that band. When they are getting made fun of at the lunch table, you go sit with them and make them feel loved. That's what This Bike Is A Pipe Bomb is for me. They may not have the look of a band who is going to rock out with everything they got, but you know that they are still going to put forth an awesome rocking effort.

You've also heard the story before - a band that plays folk punk and has a "fiddle." Along with that folk punk-ness comes their politically charged songs that make you wanna pump your fists in the air. They are on a tiny D.I.Y. punk label that has gained a little buzz in the underground scene due to a band of larger proportions blowing the fuck up (Against Me!). Add the fact that they are from Florida as well will make most people turn away and disregard them as a bastard sibling of the said band. For those who, with the said description, are turned away: you're sorely missing out on a great record.

As said before, this may not be one of those records that you can just leave on repeat day after day after day, but it's still a good time nonetheless. With the classic dissatisfied lyric content about the wonderful state of Florida, and anarchist values, with the folk rock influence more prevalent then the punk influence for the most part, you get an effort that probably shows how tough it is for a band to make a name for themselves while playing music that seems, for the most part, to be covered by many bands today. Yet, there is still something there with them that makes you know that they stand out. They just have that sarcastic, non-abrasive additude in songs like, "Johnny," that mockingly say, "aren't you proud to be an American now?," the fast-paced fiddle adding to the raw glory with the subtle undertone of the bass flowing under the strumming of the guitar that makes you see why they are so special. They need not be ignored; they need the recognition they sorely deserve.

So don't let them be picked on at lunch, and don't let the big brothers' light distract you from taking notice, because they are a growing boy, who is going to do great things. You'll see....