Just Like You

In January 2008 the US Bombs fell and exploded onto the Vault 350 in Long Beach, California with an entourage consisting of The Stitches and The Dwarves. This was an exciting show because I was going to be able to see two of my favorite bands at once both The Stitches and US Bombs. 

             My friend Cheryl and I watched the Dwarves burst out on stage with the guitar player playing naked except for the S&M leather boutique covering his vital parts and a mask disguising his face.  The Dwarves played a fast set in the tradition of pure-punk whereby every song sounded a little too homogenized.  They used to be on the Sub-Pop label with other bands like Nirvana, Mudhoney and other 1990 grunge bands.  I didn’t even notice them leave the stage when their performance ended.    

Much to my chagrin The Stitches were a disappointing act.  They were experiencing communication difficulties because the guitarist on two occasions was playing different songs from the rest of the band.  Although it was funny to watch this comedic act of discord their set was short and uninspiring; it seemed like the lead singer, Mike Lohrman wanted to get done with their set as fast as possible and go back home with to his wife and new offspring while the rest of his band sped through their set like their minds were elsewhere as if they were feigning for something more sinister.  I met up with some other friends Chris and Pete who is the bass player for the Stitches.  Pete invited all of us backstage after The Stitches finished playing. 

This was my 101 introduction to how prevalent drugs, deviant sexual acts and rock & roll exist in convoluted harmony with one another.  I saw all the backrooms where the bands relaxed before going on stage.  Free beer and food was available for me to partake in.  My conclusion is that musicians are just as normal as every other pedestrian walking down the street except they are idolized for playing music.  The artist lifestyle is not as glamorous as the media portrays; I received the impression it is very difficult and wears you down.  Many artists are introverted and I think its difficult for them to go on stage and express their musical abilities and drugs helps them get through all the red tape and overcome insecurities.  No wonder the Stitches have a popular song called I Need a Pick Me Up.      

Cheryl, Pete, Chris and I watched the US Bombs perform songs on the side of the stage.  They were promoting their new album entitled, We Are The Problem, an album replete with political songs.  The US Bombs played an explosive set with their political lyrics attacking the present day policies of the current Presidential Administration.  The US Bombs musical philosophy reminds me of Noam Chomsky left wing policies.  The quality of the music was highly professional in its sound and execution while Dwayne perfected the performance with yelling, cursing, singing, gyrating, running around the stage and while guzzling Red Bulls.

Dwayne Peters is an interesting character who used to be homeless at one point in his life but picked himself out of the social gutter.  He stands at about 5’8” and has a girlfriend who is over 6 feet tall and plays bass in another band with him called The Hunns.  Dwayne also had his two front teeth fixed that were missing the last time I saw him perform, he is also a famous pro-skater and his body is littered with an array of tattoos.  Dwayne is a paradoxical figure who infuses interesting social commentary in his lyrics and reminds you to be politically active and maintain a critical stance on what politicians feed you through mainstream media; many of their songs on We Are The Problem Album digress about crooked politicians and the plight of the American lifestyle for ordinary citizens as long as our form of Democracy remains actually a Plutocracy.  Dwayne and The US Bombs remind me of what punk was all about when it was in its seminal form before the major corporate labels intervened and made money from exploiting the punk rock genre in the 1990’s after Nirvana success. 

The song that extracted memories from the depths of my subconscious was Just Like You.  It is a satire on the plastic lifestyle of American’s greed and fetish with conspicuous consumption.  It focused on those stuck in the rat-race whether they are aware of it or not and how superficial people are today.  Everyone is fighting to be on the top and the only way to get to the top is to step on those below you.  People’s hearts think their hearts are made of gold when in fact their collective heart is vacant.  The song pokes fun at the class of people who are taking Botox injections, getting liposuction, or having their faces reconstructed to look like plastic models or Paris Hilton.  The goal is ego-centered, instant self gratification.  The means being employed are filling up your credit cards to satisfy these secondary needs.  The class of people, maybe you can call them yuppies or upper-middle class or Orange County residents are usually seen driving late around town in their late model Mercedes, Lexus, BMW’s or Corvette.  In “Somery” It is a modern day version of the Descendent’s song entitled Suburban Home.  My conclusion is that No I don’t want to be like you.