Big Drill Car
Encyclopedia
Big Drill Car was a pop punk
/melodic hardcore
group from Huntington Beach, California
, who were active from the late 1980s to mid-1990s and briefly again in the mid-2000s. The group never gained any mainstream audience, but were an influence on their contemporaries – most notably ALL
, Chemical People
and Dag Nasty
– alongside whom they are considered the early pioneers of the sound that would later be called melodic hardcore
.
Big Drill Car released an EP, Small Block
, in 1988 before being signed to Cruz Records (owned by former Black Flag
guitarist Greg Ginn
) and releasing two studio albums. The band eventually parted ways with that label and signed to Headhunter Records
, who released No Worse for the Wear
, the band's last album to date.
Big Drill Car broke up in 1995, but reunited for a one-off series of shows in 2008 and 2009, with the classic original lineup.
and Mark Arnold (musician) were still in the seminal OC punk band M.I.A.
. Frank and Mark had written some songs that were not M.I.A.-style songs so they got together with some friends (Bob and Danny) and started playing around. Their first shows were a fun mix of covers (like the Descendents
' "I'm Not A Loser and Dead Kennedys
' "Too Drunk to Fuck') and these new originals songs. After M.I.A. broke up, Big Drill Car entered the studio in 1988 to record the EP Small Block
. They were a hard working hard touring band who were rough on their tour vans.
While touring with M.I.A.
, Frank and Mark met and played with The Descendents. After M.I.A. broke up and the Descendents became ALL
the bands started playing locally and touring together. After "signing" with Greg Ginn
's newly formed Cruz Records, Stephen Egerton (guitar ALL/Descendents) and Bill Stevenson (drums ALL/Descendents/Black Flag) started up working with Big Drill Car in the studio to record their debut album, Album/Tape/CD Type Thing
, which was released in 1989.
, Big Drill Car parted ways with the now-"classic" original line-up. Bob had announced that he was leaving the band to play in another band who was on the verge of a major label deal. The show was at the PALACE in Los Angeles. It was the biggest of the "VIVA CRUZ" shows (annual shows, show casing the Cruz bands ALL, Big Drill Car and Chemical People
). Bob was more active and animated on stage that night than ever before. Bob was replaced by Darrin Morris. Darin fit in perfectly - he was a big fan, a super nice guy and he knew all the songs already. Not long after Darrin joined the band, Danny left. Danny was replaced by a few drummers including Jamie Reidling (Cadillac Tramps/US Bombs) and Keith Fallis (Carnival Art). They went on to release 2 more records with Keith in the band Cargo Records, Toured (A Live Album)
which was an earlier recording with the original lineup and No Worse for the Wear
, which Keith plays on. While No Worse for the Wear still never broke the band into mainstream audiences, the release of the album would gain Big Drill Car a little success and supporting slots on national and world tours with bands such as The Offspring
(who had just released Smash to unexpected success and acclaim) and Guttermouth
. After this, Big Drill Car broke up in 1995.
(vocalist) and Mark Arnold
(guitarist) joined forces with John Kastner (Doughboys/Asexuals
) to form the band All Systems Go!
.
Mark is currently working as a soundman, recently working for Lemonheads
/Jesus and Mary Chain/Breeders/Rocket From The Crypt
.
Frank was guitar teching for Rocket From The Crypt for a while them went on to tour manage Reel Big Fish
before settling down, getting married and having a family.
that Big Drill Car (with the classic Small Block lineup) was reuniting for a series of reunion shows in August, taking place at Huntington Beach
's Fitzgerald's Pub and two Southern California dates on the 2008 Warped Tour
. Big Drill Car also headlined Riot Fest 2008, which took place on October 10-12 in Chicago, Illinois.
Asked in August 2008 what was next for Big Drill Car, bassist Bob Thomson stated, "I can 100% guarantee there will be no tour, we're all dads with jobs. It is not easy to co ordinate shows as Frank lives in Indiana, so the best we can hope for is a show here and there." This led many to believe that Big Drill Car could be ending their reunion.
Despite the statement Bob made, Big Drill Car recovened in the summer of 2009 for shows with All
. Also in 2009, they released a rarities album called A Never Ending Endeavor, which also featured some new material.
2008 also marked the first time any of their music was available on iTunes.
Pop punk
Pop punk is a fusion music genre that combines elements of punk rock with pop music, to varying degrees. Allmusic describes the genre as a strand of alternative rock, which typically merges pop melodies with speedy punk tempos, chord changes and loud guitars...
/melodic hardcore
Melodic hardcore
Melodic hardcore is a subgenre of hardcore punk with a strong emphasis on vocal melody. The genre is commonly defined with fast hardcore drum beats, complex guitar riffs and melodic singing with occasional screaming and shouting.-History:...
group from Huntington Beach, California
Huntington Beach, California
Huntington Beach is a seaside city in Orange County in Southern California. According to the 2010 census, the city population was 189,992; making it the largest beach city in Orange County in terms of population...
, who were active from the late 1980s to mid-1990s and briefly again in the mid-2000s. The group never gained any mainstream audience, but were an influence on their contemporaries – most notably ALL
ALL (band)
All is an American punk band originally from Los Angeles, currently residing in Fort Collins, Colorado, formed by Descendents members Bill Stevenson, Karl Alvarez, and Stephen Egerton.-Formation and Cruz Records Years:...
, Chemical People
Chemical People
Chemical People were a punk rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1986. The band toured the US, Canada and Europe and broke up in 1997.-History:...
and Dag Nasty
Dag Nasty
Dag Nasty was a Washington D.C. punk band formed in 1985 by guitarist Brian Baker of Minor Threat, drummer Colin Sears and bassist Roger Marbury, both of Bloody Mannequin Orchestra, and vocalist Shawn Brown...
– alongside whom they are considered the early pioneers of the sound that would later be called melodic hardcore
Melodic hardcore
Melodic hardcore is a subgenre of hardcore punk with a strong emphasis on vocal melody. The genre is commonly defined with fast hardcore drum beats, complex guitar riffs and melodic singing with occasional screaming and shouting.-History:...
.
Big Drill Car released an EP, Small Block
Small Block (album)
Small Block is the debut EP of the Huntington Beach pop punk band Big Drill Car, released in 1988 on their own Varient Records! label and again in 1990 on Cruz Records....
, in 1988 before being signed to Cruz Records (owned by former Black Flag
Black Flag (band)
Black Flag was an American punk rock band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. The band was established by Greg Ginn, the guitarist, primary songwriter and sole continuous member through multiple personnel changes in the band...
guitarist Greg Ginn
Greg Ginn
Gregory Regis Ginn is a guitarist, songwriter, and singer. He is best known for being the leader of and primary songwriter for the hardcore punk band Black Flag, which he founded and led from 1976 to 1986....
) and releasing two studio albums. The band eventually parted ways with that label and signed to Headhunter Records
Headhunter Records
Headhunter Records is a record label distributed by Cargo Music, Inc. Headhunter records is based out of San Diego, California. It was launched in 1989.-Other Notable Artists:*Creedle* Slap Of Reality*Inch*Deadbolt*Drive Like Jehu*Fishwife...
, who released No Worse for the Wear
No Worse for the Wear
No Worse for the Wear is a 1994 album, the third and last by Orange County pop punk band Big Drill Car. It is the only album without their classic original line-up, featuring new members Keith Fallis and Darrin Norris. The band reached a little success through the album, if only for a short time...
, the band's last album to date.
Big Drill Car broke up in 1995, but reunited for a one-off series of shows in 2008 and 2009, with the classic original lineup.
"Classic" original lineup-era (1987-1991)
Big Drill Car was formed in 1987 while Frank DalyFrank Daly
Francis Joseph "Frank" Daly was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He was elected to Dáil Éireann as a Teachta Dála for the Cork Borough constituency at the 1943 general election, and was re-elected at the 1944 general election. He did not contest the 1948 general election. He served as Lord Mayor...
and Mark Arnold (musician) were still in the seminal OC punk band M.I.A.
M.I.A. (band)
M.I.A. was a 1980s punk rock band from Orange County, California. The band's sound was generally hardcore and thrasher, though they produced more melodic and progressive sounds in their later albums...
. Frank and Mark had written some songs that were not M.I.A.-style songs so they got together with some friends (Bob and Danny) and started playing around. Their first shows were a fun mix of covers (like the Descendents
Descendents (band)
The Descendents are an American punk rock band from Hermosa Beach, California. As of 2011, they have released six studio albums, three live albums, three compilation albums and three EPs. The Descendents broke up and reformed several times over the years, sometimes with different musicians...
' "I'm Not A Loser and Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys are an American punk rock band formed in San Francisco, California in 1978. The band became part of the American hardcore punk movement of the early 1980s. They gained a large underground fanbase in the international punk music scene....
' "Too Drunk to Fuck') and these new originals songs. After M.I.A. broke up, Big Drill Car entered the studio in 1988 to record the EP Small Block
Small Block (album)
Small Block is the debut EP of the Huntington Beach pop punk band Big Drill Car, released in 1988 on their own Varient Records! label and again in 1990 on Cruz Records....
. They were a hard working hard touring band who were rough on their tour vans.
While touring with M.I.A.
M.I.A. (band)
M.I.A. was a 1980s punk rock band from Orange County, California. The band's sound was generally hardcore and thrasher, though they produced more melodic and progressive sounds in their later albums...
, Frank and Mark met and played with The Descendents. After M.I.A. broke up and the Descendents became ALL
ALL (band)
All is an American punk band originally from Los Angeles, currently residing in Fort Collins, Colorado, formed by Descendents members Bill Stevenson, Karl Alvarez, and Stephen Egerton.-Formation and Cruz Records Years:...
the bands started playing locally and touring together. After "signing" with Greg Ginn
Greg Ginn
Gregory Regis Ginn is a guitarist, songwriter, and singer. He is best known for being the leader of and primary songwriter for the hardcore punk band Black Flag, which he founded and led from 1976 to 1986....
's newly formed Cruz Records, Stephen Egerton (guitar ALL/Descendents) and Bill Stevenson (drums ALL/Descendents/Black Flag) started up working with Big Drill Car in the studio to record their debut album, Album/Tape/CD Type Thing
CD Type Thing
CD Type Thing is the first album by Huntington Beach pop punk band Big Drill Car, released in 1989. Many consider this album both to be a classic of the late 80s hardcore punk scene and the peak of Big Drill Car's career....
, which was released in 1989.
Final years (1992-1995)
After the release of their third album, BatchBatch (album)
Batch was the second album by Orange County pop punk band Big Drill Car, which was released in 1991. It was the last studio recording with the classic original line-up, and their last album distributed by Cruz Records....
, Big Drill Car parted ways with the now-"classic" original line-up. Bob had announced that he was leaving the band to play in another band who was on the verge of a major label deal. The show was at the PALACE in Los Angeles. It was the biggest of the "VIVA CRUZ" shows (annual shows, show casing the Cruz bands ALL, Big Drill Car and Chemical People
Chemical People
Chemical People were a punk rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1986. The band toured the US, Canada and Europe and broke up in 1997.-History:...
). Bob was more active and animated on stage that night than ever before. Bob was replaced by Darrin Morris. Darin fit in perfectly - he was a big fan, a super nice guy and he knew all the songs already. Not long after Darrin joined the band, Danny left. Danny was replaced by a few drummers including Jamie Reidling (Cadillac Tramps/US Bombs) and Keith Fallis (Carnival Art). They went on to release 2 more records with Keith in the band Cargo Records, Toured (A Live Album)
Toured (A Live Album)
Toured was a live album by Huntington Beach pop punk band Big Drill Car. The concert was recorded live at New York's CBGB's on September 3rd, 1991, at the beginning of a nineteen-week tour known as The Batch World Tour, in support of the then-current album Batch, but wasn't released until two...
which was an earlier recording with the original lineup and No Worse for the Wear
No Worse for the Wear
No Worse for the Wear is a 1994 album, the third and last by Orange County pop punk band Big Drill Car. It is the only album without their classic original line-up, featuring new members Keith Fallis and Darrin Norris. The band reached a little success through the album, if only for a short time...
, which Keith plays on. While No Worse for the Wear still never broke the band into mainstream audiences, the release of the album would gain Big Drill Car a little success and supporting slots on national and world tours with bands such as The Offspring
The Offspring
The Offspring is an American punk rock band from Huntington Beach, California, formed in 1984. Known as Manic Subsidal until 1986, the band consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Dexter Holland, lead guitarist Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman, bassist Greg K. and drummer Pete Parada...
(who had just released Smash to unexpected success and acclaim) and Guttermouth
Guttermouth
Guttermouth is an American punk rock band formed in 1988 in Huntington Beach, California and currently recording for Hopeless Records. They have released nine full-length studio albums and two live albums and have toured extensively, including performances on the Vans Warped Tour...
. After this, Big Drill Car broke up in 1995.
Post-breakup (1996-2007)
After breaking up, Frank DalyFrank Daly
Francis Joseph "Frank" Daly was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He was elected to Dáil Éireann as a Teachta Dála for the Cork Borough constituency at the 1943 general election, and was re-elected at the 1944 general election. He did not contest the 1948 general election. He served as Lord Mayor...
(vocalist) and Mark Arnold
Mark Arnold
Mark Arnold is an American punk rock singer and guitarist, best known for two band projects Big Drill Car and All Systems Go! .-References:...
(guitarist) joined forces with John Kastner (Doughboys/Asexuals
Asexuals (band)
The Asexuals is a hardcore punk band from Beaconsfield that was a mainstay of the Montreal punk scene in the '80s before evolving into an alternative band following the departure of singer John Kastner, who went to form the Doughboys and, later, All Systems Go!.-History:The Asexuals formed in 1983...
) to form the band All Systems Go!
All Systems Go!
All Systems Go! is a Canadian punk rock group, and features members of Big Drill Car, Doughboys, the Asexuals and The Carnations. The band was formed after Frank Daly and Mark Arnold's previous band Big Drill Car broke up in 1995 and John Kastner's and Peter Arsenault's previous band The Doughboys...
.
Mark is currently working as a soundman, recently working for Lemonheads
The Lemonheads
The Lemonheads are an American alternative rock band first formed in 1986 by Evan Dando, Ben Deily and Jesse Peretz. Dando has remained the band's only constant member....
/Jesus and Mary Chain/Breeders/Rocket From The Crypt
Rocket from the Crypt
Rocket from the Crypt was an American rock band led by John Reis, formed in 1989 in San Diego, California and disbanded in 2005.The band gained critical praise and the attention of major record labels after the release of their 1992 album Circa: Now!, leading to a recording contract with Interscope...
.
Frank was guitar teching for Rocket From The Crypt for a while them went on to tour manage Reel Big Fish
Reel Big Fish
Reel Big Fish is an American ska punk band from Huntington Beach, California, best known for the 1997 hit "Sell Out". The band gained mainstream recognition in the mid-to-late 1990s, during the third wave of ska with the release of the gold certified album Turn the Radio Off. Soon after, the band...
before settling down, getting married and having a family.
Reunion (2008-2009)
On May 23, 2008, it was reported on Punknews.orgPunknews.org
Punknews.org is a website founded by Aubin Paul which launched in 1999. The website publishes music news and album reviews relating to punk rock, hardcore punk, ska, indie rock and heavy metal...
that Big Drill Car (with the classic Small Block lineup) was reuniting for a series of reunion shows in August, taking place at Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach, California
Huntington Beach is a seaside city in Orange County in Southern California. According to the 2010 census, the city population was 189,992; making it the largest beach city in Orange County in terms of population...
's Fitzgerald's Pub and two Southern California dates on the 2008 Warped Tour
Warped Tour
The Warped Tour is a touring music and extreme sports festival. The tour is held in venues such as parking lots or fields upon which the stages and other structures are erected. The BMX/skateboarding shoe manufacturer Vans, among others, has sponsored the tour every year since 1995, and it is...
. Big Drill Car also headlined Riot Fest 2008, which took place on October 10-12 in Chicago, Illinois.
Asked in August 2008 what was next for Big Drill Car, bassist Bob Thomson stated, "I can 100% guarantee there will be no tour, we're all dads with jobs. It is not easy to co ordinate shows as Frank lives in Indiana, so the best we can hope for is a show here and there." This led many to believe that Big Drill Car could be ending their reunion.
Despite the statement Bob made, Big Drill Car recovened in the summer of 2009 for shows with All
ALL (band)
All is an American punk band originally from Los Angeles, currently residing in Fort Collins, Colorado, formed by Descendents members Bill Stevenson, Karl Alvarez, and Stephen Egerton.-Formation and Cruz Records Years:...
. Also in 2009, they released a rarities album called A Never Ending Endeavor, which also featured some new material.
2008 also marked the first time any of their music was available on iTunes.
Line-ups
| (1987–1992) Classic lineup |
|
|---|---|
| (1992–1995) |
Frank Daly Francis Joseph "Frank" Daly was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He was elected to Dáil Éireann as a Teachta Dála for the Cork Borough constituency at the 1943 general election, and was re-elected at the 1944 general election. He did not contest the 1948 general election. He served as Lord Mayor... — vocals |
| (1995–2008) |
(Band inactive) |
| (2008–2009) Reunion of "classic" original lineup |
|
Studio Albums and EPs
- Small BlockSmall Block (album)Small Block is the debut EP of the Huntington Beach pop punk band Big Drill Car, released in 1988 on their own Varient Records! label and again in 1990 on Cruz Records....
EP (19881988 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1988.-January-March:* January 1 – André Rieu's Johann Strauss Orchestra plays its first concert....
, Varient Records! (re-issued on Cruz Records in 1990) - CD Type ThingCD Type ThingCD Type Thing is the first album by Huntington Beach pop punk band Big Drill Car, released in 1989. Many consider this album both to be a classic of the late 80s hardcore punk scene and the peak of Big Drill Car's career....
(19891989 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1989.-Events:*January 14 – Paul McCartney releases Снова в СССР exclusively in the USSR...
, Cruz Records) - BatchBatch (album)Batch was the second album by Orange County pop punk band Big Drill Car, which was released in 1991. It was the last studio recording with the classic original line-up, and their last album distributed by Cruz Records....
(19911991 in musicSee also:* 1991 in music Record labels established in 1991-Summary:The year 1991 is the year that grunge music made its popular breakthrough. Nirvana's Nevermind, led by the surprise hit single "Smells Like Teen Spirit", becomes the most popular U.S. album of the year...
, Cruz Records) - Toured (A Live Album)Toured (A Live Album)Toured was a live album by Huntington Beach pop punk band Big Drill Car. The concert was recorded live at New York's CBGB's on September 3rd, 1991, at the beginning of a nineteen-week tour known as The Batch World Tour, in support of the then-current album Batch, but wasn't released until two...
(19931993 in musicThis is a summary of significant events in music in 1993.-January–February:*January 8 – The U.S. Postal Service issues an Elvis Presley stamp. The design was voted on in February 1992....
, Cargo/Headhunter Records) - No Worse for the WearNo Worse for the WearNo Worse for the Wear is a 1994 album, the third and last by Orange County pop punk band Big Drill Car. It is the only album without their classic original line-up, featuring new members Keith Fallis and Darrin Norris. The band reached a little success through the album, if only for a short time...
(19941994 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1994.-January–February:*January 25 – Alice in Chains release their Jar of Flies album which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming the first ever EP to do so....
, Cargo/Headhunter Records) - A Never Ending Endeavor (20092009 in musicThe following is a list of notable events and releases in 2009 in music. Susan Boyle's album I Dreamed a Dream became the biggest selling album in the world for 2009, selling 8.3 million copies in five weeks; more than any other artist's in the whole year...
, Varient Records!)
7" Singles
- "SurrenderSurrender (Cheap Trick song)"Surrender" is a single by Cheap Trick released in June 1978 from the album Heaven Tonight. It was the first Cheap Trick single to enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 62...
/Getaway" (split w/ Chemical PeopleChemical PeopleChemical People were a punk rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1986. The band toured the US, Canada and Europe and broke up in 1997.-History:...
) (1991, Cruz Records) - "The Snapperhead E.P." (split w/ Thud! (19921992 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1992.-January–February:*January 11**Nirvana's Nevermind album goes to #1 in the US Billboard 200 chart, establishing the widespread popularity of the Grunge movement of the 1990s....
, Blackbox Records) - "No Worse for the Wear/Black Country RockBlack Country Rock"Black Country Rock" is a song written by David Bowie in 1970 for the album The Man Who Sold the World, released in November 1970 in the U.S. and April 1971 in the UK. An upbeat blues-rock number, it has been described as a "respite" from the musical and thematical heaviness of the remainder of the...
" (1994, Stab You in the Back/Truk Records) - "Nothin' At All/Trash the House" (1994, Goldenrod RecordsGoldenrod RecordsGoldenrod Records was a record label formed by Tod Swank in 1991 in San Diego, California to release the first 7" record by Custom Floor, a band consisting of skateboarders Garry Davis, Phil Esbenshade, and Miki Vuckovich. After the release of the Custom Floor record, Swank's other project,...
)
Compilation Appearances
- Cruz Sampler 7" (1991) - "Restless Habs"
- The Big One: City of L.A. Power (1991) - "A Take Away"
- Something's Gone Wrong Again: The Buzzcocks Covers Compilation (1992) - "I Don't Mind"
- 13 Back-Ordered Hits (1993) - "16 Lines"
- Blackbox Sampler (1993) - "Big Shot (live)"
- Case Closed? An International Compilation of Husker Du Cover Songs (1993) - "Celebrated SummerCelebrated Summer"Celebrated Summer" is a song by Hüsker Dü from their album New Day Rising. It was written by guitarist Bob Mould. The song was released as a promotional single given to radio stations in December 1984, along with the album's title track, "New Day Rising."...
" - By The Banks of the Mighty Santa Ana, Vol. II (1994) - "Song No. 40"
- Super MixerSuper Mixer (Goldenrod Compilation)Super Mixer: A Goldenrod Compilation is a 1996 compilation of bands featured on Goldenrod Records.Tracks include a cover of The Rolling Stones 1971 song "Sway" by Overwhelming Colorfast, and eight others that are only available on the compact disc...
(1996) - "Nothin' At All" - Keep the Beat (1996) - "Celebrated Summer"
- O.C.'s 5400 Day Revolution (1999) - "Big Shot (studio version)"
Known Associates
- Darin Oosthuizen - road manager/roadie
- Greg Jacobs - Manager
- Stormy Shepherd - Booking Agent