This mini album, or rather maxi EP, was released in the US under Longshot Records and in Europe through TASTM. Bomber hail from Los Angeles and, according to the booklet, the band is made up of musicians who have been active in the punk, Oi! and rock’n’roll scene since the 1990s. From what I found, it should be former members of bands like Toughskins, The Choice, Bovver Wonderland, or The Generators. The record comes out on a full twelve-inch vinyl and features six tracks that capture the atmosphere of classic Oi! bands from the late ’80s and early ’90s – most notably The Oppressed or The Business. Mid-tempo pace, strong vocals, gang choruses and straightforward yet punchy song structures – pure bootboy classic in the best sense of the word.

Every now and then, certain influences come to mind while listening. For instance, the track „System“ immediately reminded me of my Dutch favorites Close Combat, especially in the way the chorus flows so naturally from the verses. The anthemic „Bomber Rules O.K.“ in turn brings back memories of Evil Conduct during their King Of Kings (2007) era. These two songs stand out for me as the highlights of the whole record.

Lyrically, there are no big surprises, but that’s not a drawback – the band sticks to the tried-and-true themes that belong to the genre. „Wasn’t Me“ deals with the stigma of skinhead identity, „System“ expresses resistance to authority and social order, „Hard Working Man“ depicts the everyday struggle of the working class, „Choose Your Fate“ emphasizes unity between skinheads and punks, „The Jungle“ addresses the hardships of growing up, and „Bomber Rules O.K.“ is an open celebration of subcultural life. Everything is delivered in a direct, no-frills manner, with a focus on choruses that get stuck in your head after the first listen.

Overall, this is a very solid debut that will especially please fans of the punkier side of Oi! – the rawer, more straightforward sound that avoids unnecessary embellishments and thrives on the power of group vocals and simple, catchy melodies. The vinyl also includes all the lyrics and a thank-you list, which is always a nice touch.

With this EP, Bomber place themselves among the bands that honor tradition while proving that even in 2025 you can still play Oi! rooted in the foundations of the old bootboy classics without sounding nostalgic. It’s nothing revolutionary, but as an honest dose of street rock’n’roll, it works perfectly.

Top Tracks: Bomber Rules O.K., System, The Jungle