Now that’s What I Call Nostalgia: Piebald, “We Are the Only Friends We Have”
By Ryan Pangilinan

In the years leading up to 2002’s “We Are the Only Friends We Have,” Piebald was already enjoying a great run as part of the new wave of pop-punk-emo-post-hardcore bands that were cropping up every which way. By the summer of 2002, their peers in New Found Glory and Saves the Day had become legitimate hitmakers. Though they weren’t backed by entities as large as Drive Thru or Vagrant, Big Wheel Recreation, the label that released “We Are the Only Friends” was well respected in the scene and, arguably, if there was ever an album that could define Piebald, it was certainly this one.

Juxtaposing huge choruses, underscored synth parts and crunchy guitars along with dark subject matter, Piebald was the “adult” pop-punk band that addressed matters such as crippling depression (“Just a Simple Plan”), constant touring (“King of the Road”) and materialism (“Rich People Can Breed”) – all stuff that is the norm for pop-punk groups today, but Piebald preceded most of these kids by nearly a decade.

Sadly, I feel as though the band and this album never got the recognition it deserved. During this record’s touring cycle, Piebald took out My Chemical Romance and Minus the Bear as their support acts, both of whom have gone onto much greener pastures.

Though not much has changed in the indie rock landscape, this record – nine years later – doesn’t sound dated and its subject matter is still just as important and poignant than ever.