This Bike Is A Pipe Bomb was a folk-punk band from Pensacola, Florida, USA … Read Full Bio ↴This Bike Is A Pipe Bomb was a folk-punk band from Pensacola, Florida, USA in 1996 and split in 2011. Their first recording was released in 1997 on Ghostmeat Records. Their later releases have been on Plan It X Records and No Idea Records. This Bike Is A Pipe Bomb is rumored to have initially started as (or at least intended, but failed to start as) a tongue-in-cheek country band, but their punk rock roots were evident enough in their music that they became one of the premiere bands at the forefront of the folk punk genre. They have done several US tours, played at Geekfest, and have been to Europe.

Much of their music is politically oriented. This Bike Is a Pipe Bomb is staunchly opposed to war and is concerned with the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and racial equality in general.

The band announced their breakup in February 2011, stating via Punknews.org, "The separation of our drummer, Teddy, has made it incredibly difficult to write, record, or perform at a level we were comfortable with. We are planning a few events on both the East and West Coasts to celebrate, but nothing is set in stone at this point. Ryan Modee and Terry Johnson still write and play together in their Chattanooga based band Zippers To Nowhere"
----------------
In the News

On March 2, 2006 at 5:30 am an Ohio University police officer spotted a bicycle attached to the Oasis restaurant bearing a promotional sticker for the band. The officer saw the words, "This Bike Is a Pipe Bomb" and became concerned. The area was cordoned off, and part of the campus was closed for several hours. The bicycle was subsequently destroyed by the Athens bomb squad despite assurances from the bike's owner that it was just a sticker. The owner, a graduate student, was initially charged with inducing panic, a misdemeanor. However, the charges were dropped a few days later. Later the student was awarded money for the damages to his bicycle.

A similar incident occurred in 2001, when a police officer spotted and detained a woman at an Austin, Texas peace rally. Her bicycle was also labeled with the band's sticker. The woman was released after the band's existence was confirmed.

On March 14, 2006 Bellarmine Hall at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, PA was evacuated because of another bicycle with the band's name painted on it. No charges were filed.
--------------------
Discography

* S/T 7" Ghost Meat Records , 1997 Out Of Print
* Of Chivalry and Romance in a Dumpster 10" Fab Records , 1999 Out Of Print
* Black Panther Party 7" Arkam Records , 2001
* Dance Party With... CD Plan-It-X Records , 2001
* Dance Party With... 10" Troy from Vancouver , 2004
* Front Seat Solidarity LP Plan-It-X Records , 2002 Out Of Print
* Front Seat Solidarity CD Plan-It-X Records , 2002
* This Bike Is a Pipe Bomb/Carrie Nations Split 7" Shake/Plan-It-X Records , 2004 Out Of Print
* This Bike Is a Pipe Bomb/The Devil Is Electric Split 7" Risk Records , 2004 Out Of Print
* Three Way Tie for a Fifth CD Plan-It-X Records , 2004
* Three Way Tie for a Fifth LP No Idea Records , 2005
* Convertible LP Plan-It-X Records , 2008
* Convertible CD Plan-It-X Records , 2008
--------------------
The band

Rymodee - Guitar, Vocals, Harmonica
Terry Johnson - Bass, Vocals
Teddy "Ted" Helmick - Drums, Jokes, Vocals

Johnny
This Bike Is a Pipe Bomb Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Johnny, how's the Navy? I hear you're doing well. Didn't you get trained to fly those fighter planes? They'll send you to kosovo in a week or two. Johnny, why you gonna go? Do you really know? You say no. There's a war that's going on, they say it's a brand new Vietnam. Don't you feel proud to be an American now? The same GI bill that put you through college put amillions boys in the graves. Dont you feel proud to be an American now? God bless the good ole USA.

Overall Meaning

The song "Johnny" by This Bike Is a Pipe Bomb is a poignant commentary on the state of the military and war in America. The lyrics address a person named Johnny who has recently joined the Navy and is being sent to Kosovo to fly fighter planes. The songwriter questions Johnny's decision to join the military and participate in the war, asking him if he really knows why he's going to Kosovo and if he feels proud to be an American.

The songwriter then references the GI bill, which put millions of boys in graves during previous wars. The irony of using the benefits of the same bill that sends soldiers to their deaths is not lost on the songwriter, who questions the patriotism and pride that America associates with its military involvement abroad. Ultimately, the song leaves the listener to ponder the ethics and morality of war.

Line by Line Meaning

Johnny, how's the Navy?
Asking how Johnny is faring in his military career

I hear you're doing well.
Inquiring about Johnny's success in the Navy

Didn't you get trained to fly those fighter planes?
Asking about Johnny's military training

They'll send you to Kosovo in a week or two.
Speculating on Johnny's imminent deployment

Johnny, why you gonna go?
Questioning Johnny's decision to go to war

Do you really know?
Inquiring whether Johnny understands the risks involved

You say no.
Johnny denies having a clear understanding of the situation

There's a war that's going on, they say it's a brand new Vietnam.
Explaining the current war's controversial status

Don't you feel proud to be an American now?
Questioning whether Johnny is experiencing patriotic sentiment

The same GI bill that put you through college put millions boys in the graves.
Highlighting the connection between government incentive programs and military deaths

Dont you feel proud to be an American now?
Repeating the question, juxtaposing military glorification with the sudden weight of the human cost

God bless the good ole USA.
Sarcastic phrase used to underscore the ironic image of government blessing mass murder

Contributed by Jack D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS