Deviant Nation : Teenage Bottlerocket : Warning Device

Teenage Bottlerocket - Warning Device

Label: Red Scare Records

By: diesel
Feb 20 08

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Fun pop punk rockers Teenage Bottlerocket are back with an all new album, Warning Device on Red Scare Records.

Formed in 2000 by identical twin brothers Brandon and Ray Carlisle, Teenage Bottlerocket started out in the city of Laramie, Wyoming — not your typical punk rock haven. Despite their location, the band gave it their all at each show and played out to many adoring local fans. After a successful tour and a brief lineup change a few years later, Kody Templeman and Miguel Chen were added as members. The band has the punk rock attitude that many bands today have pushed aside in order to gain fashionable attention.

One thing Teenage Bottlerocket prides themselves on is not dressing up for a punk show to impress. They do not care about makeup or tight jeans that no one in their right mind should ever try to squeeze into. Rather they sport black leather jackets and wear comfortable clothing. They care about rocking out as much as they can, and in as many venues as possible, all for the sake of fun.

Their lack of caring about self-image and focus on what matters the most to them, makes their punk rock lifestyle even more admirable. This attitude, along with their fun music paid off as it grabbed the attention of the Groovie Ghoulies who invited them to play a couple of sets with them on the 2005 Warped Tour. Later both bands dropped out to embark on their own tour together.

Comparable to Screeching Weasel, Ramones, and the Queers, Teenage Bottlerocket is part of an appealing genre of fast paced, friendly, fun punk rock.

Starting off the thirteen track CD is “Bottlerocket,” a fast paced Ramones sounding punk jam that makes you want to jump around and have fun. Before you know it, the song about a pyrotechnic pastime is over, and “In The Basement” starts up. This song about remembering childhood fears has already been getting some airplay on Howard Stern's Sirius radio show. With its catchy vocals and guitar riffs, this song is one worth checking out.

“Gave You My Heart” is worthy of being placed in the middle of a cassette mix tape for that special someone in your life. This is the kind of punk rock love song that makes you smile when you hear it. It is one of my choice picks on this CD and the next time I am feeling the need to make my love a CD mix, I will be sure to share this song with her.

I will be sure to avoid the following track on any mix CD for my lover, as it is simply titled “She’s Not The One.” I am not sure if there is a storyline through the tracks of the CD, but I could see myself listening to this song when I experienced failed relationships.

The break-up theme continues with “Pacemaker,” a track about getting over a past relationship. This song really reminds me of the Ramones mixed with Screeching Weasel, as does the following track “Social Life.” This track is about wanting to be alone and just listening to the stereo. Listening to these songs reminds me of my high school days.

“Anna’s Song” has lyrics about not caring what the other guys think because love prevails. “On My Own” is about not needing anyone and being better off while not caring how people perceive you. This ping-pong of love-hate songs throughout the CD keeps it interesting.

My other favorite track on the CD is “Totally Stupid.” This track is about when you are alone and bored with that special someone, and acting completely brainless because you can. The fast paced track makes you want to dance around with that special someone even if you are in the middle of your bedroom. Following that fun song comes the more serious “Crawling Back To You,” a track about trying to keep a relationship going even if one half is trying to throw in the towel. “Wasting Time” ends the CD with a track dedicated to all the time spent wasted thinking about someone special.

The CD is fast and ends about as quickly as it starts. All of the songs kept my attention and not once did I skip through a track. I can see these guys getting a lot of attention from this CD this year mostly because not one song is about a war. After a while I grow tired of hearing about the president, or the war, and just need some soothing quick fun punk rock to get my mind off track.

This CD did it for me. Fans of the cool non-fashionable punk rock should check these guys out. They might just make your day.