The Casualties are a smack to the head reminder that Punk Rock is not dead… one listen to we are all we have and I listened again. The Casualties new album, (released August 25, 2009 on SIDEONEDUMMY Records), comes across fast, heavy and embracingly aggressive. Standing amidst what I consider, an enduring crowd of veteran and rising Punk Rock and Hardcore Punk bands that are all current and real, The Casualties approach is take no damn crap or prisoners, in my Metal opinion. The Casualties have never been bashful about making a social statement lyrically, we are all we have gives more than a nod to what is pissing off this band. I cannot resist the Old School backing/gang vocals that makes this album so darned Punk infused. If we are all we have was a book, an appropriate title very well could be Real Punk Rock and The System Sucks. Integrity heard and felt in music is open for interpretation, a personal opinion, if you will… I hear and feel the upmost integrity from The Casualties, always have, there is no saran wrap shrouding this band from their convictions.
The United States has without doubt, gone through a major political change within the past year, along with an unprecedented mortgage crisis, throw in the environmental issues of the day and The Casualties will inevitably get their point across with a new album. One of the greatest freedoms I cherish and hope will never be tinkered with by my government, is freedom of speech. When a band I like has something to say through song, I’ll listen, I always find it damned cool when a band like The Casualties have opinions. Apocalypse Today and War is Business are the two meaty social songs that gets their messages out with true Punk angst and bite. Hey, I have always been concerned about my drinking water too… The Casualties make a damned good and cool point on Apocalypse Today, with vintage Punk driven intensity. War is Business has The Casualties reminding me that yeah… I am thankful the war is not here and it’s over there. Despite the location of war, The Casualties sadly remind me that innocent families and children fall victim to war overseas… war does suck, war is hell. Nevertheless, I am grateful to the service men and women who have protected my country from terror. War has unfortunately followed societies around since the dawn of time. I could not agree more with the lyrics to Life Clone, I can’t stomach plastic/artificial people who buy themselves through life either. I raise my fist in the air to this song and bellow – hell yeah! The Casualties bring forth the social images and opinions that are either too taboo or uncomfortable for some of us to speak up about in a public or open forum.
Putting the social factor aside, we are all we have is as pronounced a Hardcore Punk Rock album as you can hear, vocally, musically and lyrically in sync, producing a bastion of Punk vibe. The album finishes off with Rocker’s Reggae (Working Man’s Dub), it is laced with a Reggae sound, with the messages of Punk pride through Punk songs and these same songs will never be taken from the Punk genre by anyone, for the Punk genre knows the true meaning and feelings of these working man/Punk songs. I am not out to fool anyone, I will never pose… I am not a Punk myself, yet I still will get the maximum Punk enjoyment from The Casualties as I always have. I listen to many Punk Rock bands, I have for decades. I am a Metalhead who has expanded his Extreme Music appreciation a very long time ago… with no regrets.
The Casualties are:
Jorge– vocals
Rick – bass
Meggers– drums
Jake – guitar
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