Artist: Teenage Bottlerocket	Album: Total
Featured Mp3: 1: So Cool	Featured Mp3: 2: Lost In Space
Genre Description: Wyoming based punk rock just like The Ramones. Straight forward 3 Chord Punk Rock
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Laramie, Wyoming has never exactly been a hotbed for, well, anything. Let alone any kind of punk rock scene. But you'd be surprised, I certainly was when I heard about the pride of the Cowboy State: Teenage Bottlerocket. Turns out there's actually a vibrant underground scene out yonder and Laramie boasts about a dozen bands. I propose this: isolation is their best ally in light of the dismal music trends of today.

These guys don't trouble themselves with low-cut jeans or makeup, instead they work hard at perfecting their infectious songs and tightening up their live set. Fashion-core? Never heard of it. Their only gimmick is the kick-ass punk songs they write, and that is evident on their new 13-song debut album, Total. So who are these young upstarts? Well, Ray and Brandon are identical twins that look and sound so alike that even their mother has difficulty distinguishing the two. Next we have Joel, who came across the twins at the University of Wyoming and also plays violin in the University's orchestra. Apparently Joel has a thing for stringed instruments, as he is quite the shredder on guitar. Finally, there's Kody. He's the other singer with the songs about pony kegs and killing sprees at Burger King. Kody fronted one of the greatest pop punk bands ever, the Lillingtons; while the twins spent their teens playing in a number of Laramie's local acts.

The great thing about the guys in Teenage Bottlerocket is that they are a pillar of the Wyoming scene and have been active in it for years. Hearing stories about their involvement is the kinda stuff that makes you proud to consider yourself a punk-as they are often the ones booking the shows, flyering, working the door, loading in, doing sound, and eventually putting up the band for the night. It's that good old-fashioned punk rock unity that used to be a lot more prominent in this community. These kids haven't forgotten about the core ideals and traditions of punk, and that commitment shows on Total. Sure, this is the classic case of "big fish from a small pond", but believe me folks, this is one hell of a fish and they intend on fucking up your pond no matter how big it is.

Armed with a smoking live show and a superb record under their belt, Teenage Bottlerocket is soon to be considered the Cadillac of the leather jacket set. There's been a few years of drought when it comes to quality Ramones-core bands, but once in a while the planets align and a new band surfaces to remind us what it's all about. Listen to the record and you'll agree that THIS is that band. For now, it seems like there's plenty of hard work on the horizon as the band is currently booking a full U.S. tour. Yes, they love Laramie and all it's bands, but they're especially anxious to get the fuck outta that town. And as charming as the place sounds, you can't blame 'em.

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