Abraham was intent on not falling and started the band as a way to cope and ultimately rising up from hardship. “Jacksonville is a poor and ignorant city,” Abraham continues, “many people who live there have never been anywhere else so I feel to rise up out of that takes a special kind of person.”
After several years on the road, honing their chops nationwide with the likes of Rancid, Bad Brains, Bouncing Souls, Gym Class Heroes, Wu-Tang Clan, Suicidal Tendencies and others, it’s safe to say the band has risen from their humble beginnings in the Southeast. They’ve performed to thousands at major festivals including Coachella, Bamboozle and Warped Tour but they never forget their roots. The band reps their home turf hard no matter what part of the country they may be in at any given time. Aaron shrugs it off with gratitude, “many bands and rappers pay homage to their hometown because it’s what they know and it’s where they got their courage so I have to thank my town and people for that because their aren’t many voices in our town that come with credibility.”
Credibility is something Whole Wheat Bread has earned on both sides of the musical fence – the punk and rap worlds. The game’s elite is down with WWB and whether that’s Lil Jon on the rap side or Tim Armstrong for punk, the band has connected with the artists that have influenced them and now, remarkably view the band as peers. Rancid has invited the band on the road while Lil Jon invited them to play on his upcoming album. “They can see the authenticity of our sound plus Lil Jon loves punk and Tim Armstrong loves rap,” says Aaron, “me and him were talking about T.I. and Lil Jon would talk to me about Bad Brains.”
The band’s unique guitar-charged punk rock mixed with southern hip-hop is perfectly constructed for the iPod-on-shuffle generation who enjoys their music rap, punk, reggae, rock, all mixed together and all points in between. “We can play a show of punk songs and someone from Jamaica will come up to me after the show and ask me, are one of y’all from the Caribbean?” says Aaron, “the different influences have always been there so I see more songs coming that are exactly that and less songs that are simply a punk song.”
Hearts of Hoodlums is the band's new album. It was produced by Travis Huff (Yellowcard, Armor For Sleep) with guest appearances by rapper Murs and punk rocker Mike McColgan of Street Dogs. Hearts of Hoodlums showcases the band’s versatility from the balls-out metal of “I Can’t Think” to the epic “Staying True” starting with acoustic guitars and string flourishes only to end with the band rocking out in full-unabashed glory. The album’s opener “Bombs Away” shines with vocal contributions from Mike McColgan of Street Dogs and a lyrical message that hits home. According to Abraham the song is about “the war, the effect of the economy, immigration and so on”. He continues, “it all seems so senseless and all that happens in the end is a loss.”
The catchy “Girlfriend Like This” has a reggae backbeat and features samples that would sound at home on a Lee Scratch Perry album. The band’s homage to repping your home turf “Throw Your Sets Up” features southern rap with distorted guitars sounding somewhat like a hybrid of Outkast and N.E.R.D.
Fans of the band’s punk edge won’t be disappointed as while the album is versatile, there’s plenty to mosh to like “Lower Class Man” or “New Age Southern Baptist N*gga From Da Hood” of which Aaron simply says, “hallelujah my n*gga.”
Whole Wheat Bread will perform on March 19 at SXSW in Austin, TX. They are planning a UK trip this April.
Bombs Away
Whole Wheat Bread Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Go get your knives
Go have some fun
Go take a life
Cause it is necessary
When they come
You watch 'em try
To flee and run
Cause it is necessary
When it's done
Look in my eyes
And give me one
Good reason why
You think it's necessary
Maybe some
Deserve the strife
But are none
To go decide
If it is necessary
Their guns are firing, firing
Their guns are firing
Bombs away
The shrapnel falls like stars
It washes away who we are
Their guns are firing, firing
Their guns are firing
Bombs away
The shrapnel falls like stars
It washes away who we are
You hear the shots (Yeah)
There goes another one
Don't call the cops (Yeah)
Go get your fucking gun
Ready or not (Yeah)
No warning when they come
Get or get got (Yeah)
It's time to fight or run
Somebody's hit (Yeah)
They seen 'em hit the ground
Who gives a shit (Yeah)
He's just a victim now
No candles lit (Yeah)
Darkness is all around
Put up your fist (Yeah)
Show them you'll stick around
Their guns are firing, firing
Their guns are firing
Bombs away
The shrapnel falls like stars
It washes away who we are
Their guns are firing, firing
Their guns are firing
Bombs away
The shrapnel falls like stars
It washes away who we are
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah
Their guns are firing, firing
Their guns are firing
Bombs away
The shrapnel falls like stars
It washes away who we are
Their guns are firing, firing
Their guns are firing
Bombs away
The shrapnel falls like stars
It washes away who we are
Bombs away
Bombs away
The song "Bombs Away" by Whole Wheat Bread seems to be a commentary on the destructive nature of violence and war. The lyrics seem to suggest that, sometimes, violence and killing are necessary in order to protect oneself and others. However, the song also questions whether or not it is truly necessary to resort to such extreme measures.
The chorus, "Their guns are firing, firing, bombs away, the shrapnel falls like stars, it washes away who we are" emphasizes the devastating impact that war can have on individuals, communities, and entire societies. The reference to "shrapnel" falling like stars underscores the idea that war and its aftermath can cause widespread destruction and chaos, and rob people of their humanity.
The lyrics also suggest that the decision to go to war and to use violence is often made by those in power, rather than by the people who will be most affected by it. The lines "You watch 'em try, to flee and run, but they don't die, cause it is necessary, when it's done" seem to convey a sense of helplessness and resignation, as if those who are at the mercy of those in power have no choice but to go along with their decisions.
Overall, "Bombs Away" is a powerful and thought-provoking song that challenges listeners to think critically about the role of violence and war in our lives, and encourages us to question whether or not those who make decisions about these issues truly have our best interests at heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Go get your guns
Prepare for combat, acquire firearms
Go get your knives
Prepare for combat, acquire weapons
Go have some fun
Enjoy the act of killing
Go take a life
Commit murder
Cause it is necessary
Justify violent actions
When they come
Await the arrival of the enemy, prepare for battle
You watch 'em try
Observe as the enemy attempts to flee or defend themselves
To flee and run
Make an attempt to escape the battle
But they don't die
Despite the violence, some enemy may escape unharmed
When it's done
Once combat has ended, the violence is over
Look in my eyes
Directly address the listener, challenging them to justify their beliefs
And give me one
Provide a single reason
Good reason why
Provide a justifiable reason for violence
You think it's necessary
Challenge the listener to justify their own violent beliefs
Maybe some
Perhaps some people
Deserve the strife
Some individuals have earned the violence inflicted upon them
But are none
However, there are none who truly deserve violence
To go decide
No one has the right to inflict violence upon another person
Their guns are firing, firing
The enemy is using firearms, continued violence is occurring
Their guns are firing
The enemy is using firearms
Bombs away
Aerial bombs are being dropped
The shrapnel falls like stars
The violent explosions are raining like stars
It washes away who we are
The violent act is changing us fundamentally
You hear the shots (Yeah)
Violence is still occurring, gunfire can be heard
There goes another one
More people are being killed
Don't call the cops (Yeah)
Do not involve law enforcement, handle the situation yourself
Go get your fucking gun
Retaliate with violence, acquire a firearm
Ready or not (Yeah)
A fight is upon us, one way or another
No warning when they come
Unexpected violence is occurring
Get or get got (Yeah)
Either fight or be killed
It's time to fight or run
The situation requires evasive action or self-defense
Somebody's hit (Yeah)
Someone has been wounded
They seen 'em hit the ground
The result of the violence is evident
Who gives a shit (Yeah)
The attacker believes that killing is justified and does not care about their victims
He's just a victim now
The attacker minimized the value of human life and dehumanized their victim
No candles lit (Yeah)
No mourning or respect is being paid to the victims
Darkness is all around
The violence has shrouded everything in darkness
Put up your fist (Yeah)
Stand up for yourself and fight back
Show them you'll stick around
Keep fighting back, demonstrate that you will not be easily defeated
Yeah
Affirmative interjection, reinforcing the violent message of the song
Their guns are firing, firing
The enemy is using firearms extensively
Bombs away
Aerial bombs are being dropped
Bombs away
The destruction continues
Contributed by Stella O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Adam Barlow
I went to school with the guitarist Will. He was such a nice guy, and loads of talent. I hope these guys make some new stuff soon, what a great sound.
Rob Wojdyla
They’re working on a new song and video!
Rachael Vice
I loved seeing yall about 11 years ago. Still loveeeee. Under-rated gold. Song was stuck in my head today. 🖤🖤🖤🖤
norespectgiven2u
Saw them several times many years ago. Remember smoking with them in the parking lot at the culture room in fort Lauderdale. Cool dudes.
K
when I was like 15 I saw them in a really small “concert venue” just outside of my town and I fell in love with punk/pop-punk!! I wish they would tour again
Garron Newville
These guys should be more popular than they actually are. Saw them in concert about 4 years ago. Was awesome. They still are.
Richard Welsh
@Dylan Rabren No this was in SF, around that time though
Dylan Rabren
@Richard Welsh same man!! Was it in Pensacola, Florida!? My buddy tried to fight Chris that night and I ended up getting to party with the whole band because of it. Circa 08 or 09. Something like that.
Richard Welsh
Definitely! I saw them open for mc Chris a few years back. They killed!
Chris Vestal
Just discovered this band. Where have I been?! Awesome stuff