U.S. Bombs “War Birth” 1997. Hellcat Records. I pulled this album from the vault because I’ve been thinking my previous post on Wade Waltson/Joe Schmo’s appearance in “Suburbia” and his role as bass player in U.S. Bombs.

Growling, So-Cal skate punk and according to the band’s Facebook page, it is rumored that Joey Ramone had this record on his turntable at the time of his death. We saw U.S. Bombs perform at the Rave Bar sometime in the late 90’s, probably around the time of this record’s release. I had no idea Wade Waltson was the bass player and looking at some band photos, I’m not surprised I didn’t recognize him. My memory of the show is a bit hazy, but it was in ‘97 that U.S. Bombs developed a relationship with Milwaukee’s Beer City Records and the band may have been headlining a 10-band Beer City showcase. (Besides memory, I probably also lost a fair bit of hearing that night – The Rave is notorious for loud and bad acoustics). Also I think Slipknot was playing in the room next door and a couple of those guys in their weird masks were in the Bar checking out the U.S. Bombs show. They were kinda scary, but also kinda short.