Split records have always worked best when they feel intentional rather than convenient, and Bombs Away! lands firmly in the former category. Bringing together East Bay veterans Tsunami Bomb and Oakland’s The Hammerbombs, this six-track split (three songs per band) doesn’t just unite two names but captures two complementary approaches to Bay Area punk that still feel vital decades into the genre’s lifespan.
Side A belongs to Tsunami Bomb, who deliver three tracks that reaffirm why their name still carries weight. These songs are tight, hook-forward, and immediately memorable, leaning into the melodic instincts that helped define California punk in the late ’90s. What really stands out here, though, is the tasteful use of keys and organ. It’s the kind of detail that could feel gimmicky in the wrong hands, but Tsunami Bomb use it to elevate the melodies rather than distract from them. The result is punk rock that’s insanely catchy without losing momentum and choruses that lodge themselves in your brain after one listen.
There’s a clarity and confidence to these songs that feels earned. Tsunami Bomb aren’t trying to modernize their sound or chase relevance. They’re simply writing sharp, efficient punk songs that sound like they were meant to be played loud in a packed room. The organ lines add texture without softening the edge, and the hooks hit with the kind of immediacy that defined an era without sounding stuck in it.
Flip the record and Side B introduces The Hammerbombs, who may be a first-time listen for some but they don’t take long to make an impression. Their three tracks strike a satisfying balance between aggression and pop sensibility, blending punchy, energetic delivery with guitar melodies that stick. There’s a scrappy urgency to their sound, but it’s paired with an ear for structure that keeps the songs from spiraling into chaos.
What’s impressive is how naturally the poppier elements slot into the aggression. The Hammerbombs don’t water things down but sharpen them. The melodies feel purposeful, the pacing stays tight, and the overall mix keeps everything punchy and clear. It’s the kind of punk that feels both immediate and familiar like stumbling across a late-’90s Fat Wreck Chords release you somehow missed the first time around.
That shared sensibility is what makes Bombs Away! such a strong split. Despite coming from different generations of the Bay Area scene, both bands meet on common ground with accessible, hook-driven punk that values energy, sincerity, and replay value. There’s no excess here, no filler; just six songs that know exactly what they’re trying to accomplish.
Released via Rad Girlfriend Records, Bombs Away! feels less like a nostalgia exercise and more like a reminder of how well this style of punk ages when it’s done right. It’s concise, it’s catchy, and it carries that unmistakable feeling of a scene that never really went away but just kept writing better songs.
