Little Bombs (ft. Kieren Smith from Sing It Loud) released their debut self-titled album just a few days ago. Kieren was kind enough to write up a Track-By-Track guide behind each of the songs on the album for fans. You can buy the album here and check out the band’s Facebook page here. Read up on it below and enjoy!

1. Back Home
This is one of the first songs I ever wrote for Little Bombs. Right after Sing It Loud broke up I went through this sort of “anti-scene” phase. I guess you could say I’m definitely not listening to that music at all anymore, but I’m not as bitter towards it as I was. After working for years on SIL and watching it all crumble the last 6 months I was a part of it was really discouraging. So when I started coming up with this song, I was trying to be as fresh as possible. It was nothing like I had written before musically and it really got to me. The lyrics basically have the “fuck it, nothing matters” attitude since as we all know, everything ends anyway. Its pretty negative and bitter, but honestly, who doesn’t feel that way every once and a while? And plus, it’s just an awesome song to drink a beer to.

2. Feel This
“Feel This” is definitely the punk-rock song on the album. Both Derek and I are huge Nirvana/Foo Fighters fans, so our influences show in this track. I wrote the riff one day when I was pissed off (as you will see is a major theme throughout the record), and rather than try and write some deep lyrical meaning, I just decided to state the obvious. Too many people try to be poetic when a simple, basic phrase gets the point across just fine.

3. Cold Winter
What can I say… Minneapolis is one cold city, and when it gets cold, it gets dark. Living in that environment has an effect on everyone. Some more than others, but most people in Minnesota have some sort of seasonal disorder. “Cold Winter” is basically about that time of year when everything outside is dead and you get that long hopeless feeling inside. It almost puts you in a zombie/trance-like state which in turn, can be really great for artistic expression. It is actually quite beautiful. 

4. Watch You Go
This is the most personal song to me on the record. Right when SIL ended, my longtime girlfriend and I split up. And to be honest, it was because I was being a dumbass. I was insecure and selfish and stopped putting her first in my life. Well, she basically called me out on it and gave me what I deserved. It takes a lot of guts to come out and admit that, and it takes a true man to do so. The basic message here is to remember what/who is important in your life, and never take them for granted. Everyone can relate to this, and if you can’t, you’re in denial.

5. Time
Carpe Diem! Thats what “Time” is about. So many people just sit back and watch their lives pass by. Many others do so, and then piss and moan about how nothing ever happens for them. We have all been there, especially me. Life is what you make it. Go get yours.

6. Deal With The Devil
This was actually the first song ever written for Little Bombs. It was also one of the last songs we recorded. As you all know, the government, the economy, the educational system, everything is corrupt and basically fucked. Our generation is dealing with some hard times, especially for young graduates entering the workforce. Our nation is controlled by big business and special interest groups who literally sell their souls for a paycheck and economical immunity. To me, what’s even worse though, is the fact that most people our age don’t even know what’s going on! Rather than watching the Real World or sitting on facebook all day, get out there and join the cause. People think tweeting about politics and the economy is going to do something. No, it wont. Get educated and help those around you get educated. That is the first and strongest step we can take as a generation to get what’s ours and to make sure we will have a strong country to raise our families in.

7. Don’t Walk My Way
This track is all about a fresh start. After SIL and the very uneventful year of nothing that followed, I decided to move. Minneapolis has always been great to me, but I needed something new. I relocated to New York last summer and it has been a real eye opening experience. I love MPLS and would love to call it home again some day, but right now, I need to be out of my comfort zone. Thats what this is about. Realizing that you have tried just about everything, and rather than sit down and give up, change. Get out and do something and don’t let people tell you otherwise. We often get brought down by those around us who bitch and complain and end up doing nothing with their lives. This is a big “fuck you” to all those people. Nobody needs them.

8. Skin And Bones
Wow, after re-reading all my previous entries, I am realizing that this album is quite dark. I guess you could say it honestly and accurately represents the time of my life in which it was written. I was going through a lot emotionally and musically. “Skin and Bones” was written at a very dark time for me. I felt trapped in my own body. I felt extremely hopeless and I had stopped caring about a lot of things. I was turning into a shell of a human being. Some could say I sound like a downer, but we all go through it. When I’m happy, I write happy songs, and vice versa. So many artists write happy feel-good music constantly and I just don’t buy it. Life is a gigantic fucking roller-coaster. It goes up and down. For a lot of people, when it’s up, it’s way up and when it’s down, it’s extremely painful. Now, with that said, I don’t buy into emo bands who just write depressing songs all the time, that’s just whiney and annoying. This song is kind of the end-all be-all track on the record. It’s as low as you can go.

9. Grass
Being a big brother (I am the eldest of four by 12 years) I often worry about the kind of world my siblings will grow up in. Life can be extremely beautiful and fulfilling, however there is negative energy everywhere you turn. Just as many parents do, I want to make sure that they end up living happy and healthy lives, while still experiencing the hard parts that will eventually mold them to be well-rounded productive members of society. “Grass” is written from my perspective to them, warning them of all the bullshit they will evidently encounter as they grow up. Obviously you can’t shelter them forever, but giving them a heads up is a good thing. I also think a lot of my generation is doomed to ignorance, laziness, and endless self-entitlement, so I am hoping with them, a much needed change comes into play with the attitude of young people.
So there you have it.

That’s the Little Bombs record. Call it what you will. For those of you who find even one piece of hope within it, I am glad I could help you. For those of you who don’t, that’s cool, we can still be friends! Support good people, and support good music.