Originally published in Verbicide issue #5

Refused combined with Anti-Flag is what Pipe Down sound like. When I say this, it’s a not a vague comparison — this is an absolute definition. Political in theme like the aforementioned bands, vocalist Ean Elliot shrieks with anger in protest of corporate progress, lost human values, etc. Well…I can appreciate bands such as this, but what must it feel like to be preaching to a bunch of 16-year-olds who just want to mosh and look cool? The lyrics are often too vague to carry significant weight — I mean, yes, government and corporations bad, punk kids and ideals good, but please, cite some information. Tell the kids why they should be rebelling — telling them to rebel without just cause is pointless (well, of course we can say “the government steals from us,” and perhaps that’s true, but the kids need to be shown, not told). Take another page from the Refused book and fill your liner notes with essays and ideas.

(A-F Records, PO Box 71266, Pittsburgh, PA 15213)