The last album that Californian pop punk quartet Bad Cop/Bad Cop released was aptly named ‘Warriors’, back in 2017. Recorded following the election of Trump and a car crash of a tour that ended prematurely due to drug problems, it was an angry record to say the least. However, not only do Linh Le (vocals/bass), Stacey Dee (vocals/guitar), Jennie Cotterill (vocals/guitar) and Myra Gallarza (drums) have each other’s backs, their record label does too. Dee was sent to rehab and by all accounts has emerged stronger on the other side. It’s clear that this second chance for the band has resulted in a more measured and thankful approach – an attitude that comes across clearly in the lyrics and feel of ‘The Ride’.
Take first track ‘Originators’ which is touted by Dee as a track to live your life by. It is upbeat and inspiring with the message that we create who we are both in our minds and by what we say about ourselves. Once you realise that, then you can create your own reality. ‘Certain Kind of Monster’ expresses disgust at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids, where ‘illegals’ are torn from their homes and families. Written by Le, the lasting message emanates from the line “Don’t call people illegal, when they’ve been here all along”. ‘Take My Call’ has an impressive vocal lead from Cotterill over a memorable rhythm, but the message is better still. You can’t apologise properly until you have processed a situation. It’s easy to be reactive, but understanding and an empathetic response usually takes time.
In April of this year ‘Simple Girl’ was released as a single. Lead vocal is courtesy of Dee and she has a beautifully distinct rasp to her sound. A long time in the making, this song has taken shape in Dee’s subconscious in response to being told by an ex-partner that she was too complicated. Yet complicated people feel life, push boundaries and either wilt or grow. Who has the right to tell you how to live? A few weeks ago a quarantine video was released to support the track which featured female fans, living life to the full and refusing to be constrained into a personality box:
Other songs worth a mention are ‘Breastless’, an in your face, riff laden and cathartic baring of a restless soul. In it, Dee relates her emotions when diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018, the grit and defiance in the voice a nod to reckless feelings. A real punk song. ‘Perpetual Motion Machine’ asks the listener to take a look at themselves as a starting point before looking to take pops at the rest of the world and ‘Community’ is about those that you can count on. Meanwhile ‘Pursuit of Liberty’ is another offering from Le about her Vietnamese heritage and immigration policy. Intensely personal and sad, it asks for greater realisation that we are “All one human race”. ‘The Mirage’ is the most melodic track on the album. Written by Cotterill it explains the concept of the album title ‘The Ride’. Value the now, the journey because the destination is not important and if you focus only on what you wish you were it will inevitably bring you down.
There are some amazing snappy punk songs towards the end of the album. ‘I Choose’ at barely a minute long is about being able to choose how you react to a situation, about being in control of your destiny while ‘Chisme’, which apparently means ‘gossip’ in Spanish, dismisses the easy judgements and loose tongues of those who think they know everything about someone they follow on social media. Lastly ‘Sing With Me’ is a cleverly positioned hook at the end of the album, enticing fans to do exactly that to ensure that the song fixes itself in their consciousness.
From this album you get the clear message that BCBC are a team. For this album Le has written protest songs that raise awareness, Dee has shared her darkest moments, Cotterill provides emotionally mature acceptance and strength and Gallarza holds it all together. This is why you should never underestimate punk rock. This album is not what I expected. It’s positive and hopeful. There’s an awareness and maturity here that’s developed from shared experience. Without ‘Warriors’ there wouldn’t be a need for deep reflection. Without the pain and trials, there wouldn’t be emotional growth. Without Trump… well draw your own conclusions there! BCBC accepts each other for who they are. They forgive human transgressions, when amends are made, and with a mutual understanding and greater trust they can move forward, together.
- ‘The Ride’ is released today (Friday 19 June). You can get you copy HERE.
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