NorCal East Bay pop-punk is certainly nothing new. It’s the land of Green Day, Samiam and Rancid. Some bands just do the sound better. One of the modern bands doing their native area proud are The Hammerbombs.
From their ethos (anti-fascist, anti-hate, anti-racists, pro-LGBTQ, pro-beer and pro-parties) to their undeniable hooky songs, there’s nothing not to like about this group. They write incredibly fun, catchy and energetic pop-punk tunes that get stuck to you like chewed bubblegum on the bottom of your Vans.
Songs like “Talk to Me” get your head bobbing in seconds with the speedy riffs and smack-happy drums. When they start shouting out “talk to me, talk to me, talk to me” on the chorus, you’ll wish you were in a crowd shouting it back to the band. And if you’re done talking, the band asks you to “Dance With Me”. Sweet new wave guitars give the track a dance-floor ready sound, while the vocals have that gravel-rich tone that will incite massive beer drinking (and as you dance, beer-spilling). The song’s lyrics have a sharp edge (“Fuck your thought police, your broken hypocrites and your shitty scene”), but the melody makes the vitriol go down smoothly.
If you want to really rage, “Tired” has the anthemic energy for the mosh pit, while “Midnight Pancakes” shreds in with some metallic riffs that will get them a warm welcome at the Sunset Strip when they decide to head south for some shows. And if you just want to sing along at the top of your lungs to a perfect party song, “Shower Beer” will do the trick.
So if you’re in the mood to discover your next favorite punk band, The Hammerbombs get our highest recommendation. Check them out in our Bad Ass Break-Outs Playlist!
The Indy Review 