8.6/10

Written By: Bob Villain

So, I’m a punk snob. It’s sad because I’m not that guy who’s like, “I only listen to obscure punk that nobody’s heard of.” Or the dude who’s all,”I only listen to the REAL punk by the ‘70s pioneers.” I’m not even the dude who says, “It’s only punk if it has a purpose – or no purpose at all.” Punk has become one of the most prestigious of all genres of music. It’s really quite silly, but it makes sense because it has no rules, yet it has strict rules. That’s what I love about punk music. I like punk that I should be ashamed to like, i.e. Blink 182 (PRE-“Take Off Your Pants and Jacket”). That’s right, I said it. I like that I can be super “moved” every time I listen to “In My Eyes” (Minor Threat). I like that I can listen to The Stooges and really understand why they titled a record “Raw Power” because that’s exactly what it is. But I digress. My point is, anyone who loves punk music SHOULD be a punk snob. If you hear punk you don’t like, it sucks, plain and simple. Punk is not to be tolerated; it is not “gray area” music. It is to be loved or hated. I absolutely HATE a ton of popular and “cool” punk bands for my own special reasons. But that’s what keeps punk alive: passion.

It seems all the recent punk bands I have come across either suck at actually playing musical instruments, or they’re trying too hard (but trying hard not to look like they’re trying so hard – you follow?). I got the Cloak and Dagger album, “Lost Art,” and I thought, “Oh great, here we go with another crappy punk attempt.” I couldn’t have been happier to hear the opening track.  DUDE!  It kills!  Right?  A band with rhythmic taste, an ear for hooks, and some good ol’ pissed off frontman action. I SO love a band that is easy to listen to, but I love a band more who makes me want to kill one of them so I can join. This album follows the (no) rules: It sounds like it was recorded straight off the mics and left to sound as it should, you know, raw! Eleven out of 13 tracks are under three minutes; who wants to hear a punk song drag on? It has pop hooks all over it, guitars and vocals alike. I’m talking international level HOOKS, kind of like The Hives (that’s right, the HIVES) to name a hooky band. I love that! I love songs that rock nuts and get stuck in my head!  Cloak and Dagger can definitely play their instruments, but not like metal dudes or math-rockers, there’s a TON of SOUL in there. YES! I think this is one of my favorite records of 2009 and I hope it catches fire because there’s something there that makes up for me only being 30 and missing the first movement. I am officially going to enter this album into my permanent rotation. Nice work. Nice work.

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Michigan’s Small Brown Bike have released two brand new songs via a 7” on No Idea Records. The 7” is entitled Composite, Vol. 1, and is the first in a 7” series to be released by No Idea as the band writes and records new material. The two songs featured on the record are “When We Run” and “Hourglass.” The 7” is limited to 1,100 copies, all of which include a digital download code, and can be purchased from the No Idea Records mailorder and directly from the band.   You can check out live video of both new songs from their recent performance at THE FEST 8 in Gainesville, FL via Alternative Press and you can stream both new songs on the main page of  the on No Idea Records site.   The second installment of the 7” series will be released when the band returns to Florida in the spring for their performance at the second annual Harvest of Hope Fest, March 12-14, 2009 in St. Johns County, FL.   Small Brown Bike officially announced last month that the band was back together with their original line-up and were working on new material. The band posted the following statement about reforming and writing:   “Hi friends. First off, thanks for the good words over the last month. It’s awesome to know that there are still people out there listening. You all rule. We just wanted to add some more details about what’s happening. To make a long story short, the original lineup (Mike, Ben, Travis, Dan) is back together and working on new music. Over the last few months we’ve been writing a ton of new stuff and currently have about ten new songs finished plus a bunch more in various stages. We’re all really excited about how it’s going. So far, so good! The bottom line for us is to have fun, write music, and play a few shows here and there. Just like we did when we started the band. Keep it simple.
So that’s what’s happening. Thanks again for listening. See you at the shows!”   The band has a few special shows planned for the rest of the year, with more appearances planned for 2010. No official tours are in the works at this time.  Small Brown Bike shows: 12/4 – Chicago, IL @ The Beat Kitchen (Early all ages show) 12/4 – Chicago, IL @ The Beat Kitchen (Late adult show – SOLD OUT) 12/5 – Lansing, MI @ Mac’s Bar

Small Brown Bike had releases on Second Nature Records, Smallman Records, and were part of the No Idea Records family, releasing several groundbreaking albums before leaving the label to release their final swan song on Lookout! Records, ultimately breaking up in 2004.

The band played a few reunion shows in September 2007 to benefit a dear friend of the band who was battling leukemia, including a final reunion show at THE FEST 6.   You can check out the video and download MP3s of their entire set from THE FEST 6 at National Underground.

Crucial Links:

http://www.alternativepress.com/features/thefest.htm

http://www.harvestofhopefest.com

http://www.thefestfl.com/

http://www.noidearecords.com
http://www.lookoutrecords.com/blogcms/
http://smallmanrecords.com/
http://www.secondnaturerecordings.com/

http://www.nationalunderground.org/national-underground-recordings/216-small-brown-bike