Not being a Pabst Blue Ribbon guy, the name of this band was lost on me until I was telling a co-worker about them. His reply was, "I can't remember how many times I have walked up to the bar and said PBR me." I guess I was missing out on a whole subculture of a beer-drinking brotherhood. Still, it's one of the most clever band names I've heard since THE AQUABATS and a defunct NC band called IF YOU SEE KAY. But enough about catchy band names.

This band fuckin rocks! The opening track ''Trouble In The Woodshed'' hits you like a brick. Some nice power riffing from guitarist Micah Shimborske. This song, along with many other tunes on the album, reminds me of older (and newer) COC At other times there is a nice power pop/punk edge reminiscent of THE FLUID, only a little rougher and heavier. The rhythm section consists of bassist Mahlon Orrin and drummer / lead vocalist Keith Bergman, both of whom are rock-solid. It's amazing to me that Bergman can sing and play drums as well as he does, assuming they are this good live. Half the songs on the album are short and sweet like 'Viva Los Alamos', which has a nice rhythm breakdown at the end, sure to send your head rocking back and forth. The next song ''Martyr Bound'' is a 7 minute jam with some great cynicism by Bergman at the beginning: "You don't have the spine for the snapback..." he sings, "what you hate is what you've become / and when you roll away from the fallback, you will change your stripes again." Great stuff. This band makes me want to start playing again. It's raw, has loads of energy and is just a great all around rock 'n roll record. I will be keeping an eye on this three-piece from Toledo, Ohio and hope to catch them when they come to my town. I suggest you all do the same.

- Peters

OFFICIAL SITE: myspace.com/thepbarmy

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