“Syke! Life is Awesome”
Probably my All-Time Favorite song by Jeff Rosenstock’s side-project-solo-brainchild: BOMB THE MUSIC INDUSTRY! “Syke! Life is Awesome” is not only a brilliantly-cyclical nod to the first track on the album “To Leave or Die in Long Island” - it is also a song that successfully brings to the lyrical forefront the profound importance of self-reflection & having a big-picture understanding of life’s lessons through personal struggle & hardships. I consider this to be a song about destiny and the path of most resistance (as it were).
Probably one of the most under-appreciated & most important bands in Ska & Punk History - Bomb The Music Industry is what I consider to be a perfect punk rock story. Granted, Jeff Rosenstock moved on in a creative sense (mostly), but without his monumental influence to the DIY scene (especially Ska/Punk music) - a lot of folks would probably not be making music utilizing the same method as he did to start up BTMi (I know I wouldn’t)! Bomb The Music Industry has been known as “The PBS of punk rock” and I think it’s spot on. Everyone who cares about BTMi! usually CARES a WHOLE LOT! This song is just one of many from a legacy that cannot be touched.
Seriously, BTMi! is one of few bands that I can confidently say each album got Better & BETTER, but had enough differences to where it wasn’t redundant - and the lyrical & instrumental content are a tsunami of rugged, working-class creativity by an individual who truly paved the way for so many other DIY Artists.👏💖🎶🙂🤙
“...And if I wasn’t a fat kid in high school - I would have never listened to Punk Rock.
And if I knew how to throw a football - I would have never played any music.
And if I never got my heart broken - I would say ‘BLAH-BLAH-FUCKING NOTHING!’
And if you didn’t fuck my ex-girlfriend - I would still owe you three thousand dollars.
And if I never lived in that van then - I wouldn’t have met Chris or Steve, Alex, James, or Middagh.
And if I never worked in a basement - I WOULD HAVE NEVER QUIT MY JOB!
And if I had a big emo band or dropped out of college - I would have never met you... Man.”
