Drive On is the second LP by Southern California’s Strongarm And The Bullies. Released in 2024 on Rebellion Records, it follows their 2005 album You Had It Coming. Nineteen years is a long time to gather inspiration and figure out your next move, and it’s clear the band didn’t waste that time. Musically, the album sits somewhere between street punk, rock ‚n‘ roll, and classic rock. More than once while listening, I found myself thinking that this is probably what Bonecrusher would sound like if they were much more heavily influenced by Motörhead.
The record features a solid twelve tracks, so there’s certainly no shortage of music here. Strongarm And The Bullies also make excellent use of a twin-guitar setup, which gives the album greater depth and variety. The title track, Drive On, immediately establishes a slightly Motörhead-inspired atmosphere, while the following Shit Show continues in the same rock ‚n‘ roll spirit. With the third song, Jude The Apostle, the band moves closer to traditional street punk territory, driven by a strong and charismatic vocal performance.
My clear favorite on the first side is Sinner Or Saint, an energetic and highly effective track that combines all the elements that make this band work so well. Throughout the album, occasional blues-infused guitar solos add extra color and break up the straightforward attack of the songs. White Crosses is a great example, with those touches adding another dimension to the record. Side A closes with Red, White And Blue, a song that takes aim at contemporary America, addressing both domestic issues and foreign policy. This is exactly how I imagine good street punk: strong music combined with social criticism from the perspective of ordinary people and the working class. Fans of the genre will find exactly what they’re looking for here.
Part of the reason I keep thinking of Bonecrusher is the vocal delivery itself, which often reminds me of that legendary band’s singer. 12th Round in particular invites that comparison. The gang vocals really come alive in Sail Away, another standout moment on the album. As a whole, I actually prefer the second side slightly more than the first. It feels more energetic, more direct, and the songs flow together exceptionally well.
Lyrically, the band frequently touches on alcohol, barroom and street confrontations, everyday frustrations, and the struggle to cope with the grey routine of daily life. These themes are especially present in Fame And Fortune. After the more rock-oriented My Disease, which gains momentum and intensity during its choruses, we arrive at More Than A Friend, probably the most punk-oriented track on the entire album. The record then reaches its peak with Honor Among Outcasts, which is, for me, the strongest song on the album. The excellent build-up, commanding vocal performance, powerful gang choruses, and lyrical embrace of outsiders and misfits all work perfectly together. Sure, some of these themes may come across as slightly cliché, but the band delivers them with enough conviction to make them feel genuine. The album closes with a Twisted Sister cover, which serves as a fitting final note.
Overall, Drive On is an album about battling personal demons and finding a way to survive in the modern world. It’s a street punk record that should appeal to fans of more rock-oriented bands and the sounds of classic rock, rock ‚n‘ roll, and blues rock. The street punk influence is most evident in the use of gang vocals, which give the album an extra sense of drive.
TOP TRACKY: Honor Among Outcasts, Sinner Or Saint, Sail Away
