Big Drill Car

Big Drill Car is a punk rock group from Costa Mesa, California, formed in 1987. While they never reached mainstream popularity, their sound influenced contemporaries such as ALL, Chemical People, and Dag Nasty, and they are considered an early influence on the melodic hardcore scene.

The band released the Small Block EP in 1988 before signing to Cruz Records, a label owned by former Black Flag guitarist Greg Ginn. Under Cruz, they released two studio albums, showcasing a blend of punk aggression with melodic elements. After parting ways with Cruz, Big Drill Car signed to Headhunter Records, which released their live album Toured: A Live Album and No Worse for the Wear, their last studio album to date.

Although Big Drill Car broke up in 1995, they reunited for shows in 2008 and 2009 with their classic original lineup. They later released Never Ending Endeavour, a CD/Double LP on their own Varient label and Boss Tuneage in Europe. This release featured five new songs along with fifteen bonus tracks, including demos from the No Worse for the Wear sessions with original drummer Danny Marcroft. The band reunited again in 2016 with this lineup and has continued playing sporadically since then.

History

“Classic” Original Lineup Era (1987–1991)

Big Drill Car was formed in 1987 by Frank Daly, Mark Arnold, Bob Thomson, and Danny Marcroft. The group emerged while some members were in the band M.I.A., and they shifted focus to their new material. Their early shows featured covers of bands like the Descendents and Dead Kennedys alongside original songs. After M.I.A. disbanded, Big Drill Car recorded the Small Block EP in 1988. They were known for their hardworking touring schedule and a rough treatment of their tour vans.

Final Years (1992–1995)

After releasing their second album Batch, Big Drill Car experienced lineup changes. Bob Thomson left to join another band, and Darren Morris replaced him on bass. Drummer Danny Marcroft also left and was replaced by several drummers, including Keith Fallis, who played on No Worse for the Wear. Despite never breaking into mainstream success, the band gained recognition, touring nationally and internationally with acts like The Offspring and Guttermouth before disbanding in 1995.

Post-Breakup and Reunions

Following their breakup, members pursued other musical and professional paths. Vocalist Frank Daly and guitarist Mark Arnold formed All Systems Go! with John Kastner, while Arnold worked as a sound engineer. Daly later toured with Reel Big Fish as a tour manager. Big Drill Car reunited in 2008–2009 for a series of shows with the classic lineup and released A Never Ending Endeavor, a rarities album with new material. They reunited again in 2016, continuing to play shows mostly in Southern California.

Members

Classic original lineup (1987–1991):
- Frank Daly — vocals
- Mark Arnold — guitar
- Bob Thomson — bass
- Danny Marcroft — drums
Lineup changes (1992–1995):
- Frank Daly — vocals
- Mark Arnold — guitar
- Darren Morris — bass
- Keith Fallis — drums
Reunion periods:
- (2008–2009) Reunion of classic lineup:
  - Frank Daly — vocals
  - Mark Arnold — guitar
  - Bob Thomson — bass
  - Danny Marcroft — drums
- (2016–present) Reunion of classic lineup:
  - Frank Daly — vocals
  - Mark Arnold — guitar
  - Bob Thomson — bass
  - Danny Marcroft — drums

Discography

Studio Albums and EPs

Small Block EP (1988, Varient Records, re-issued on Cruz Records in 1990)
CD Type Thing (1989, Cruz Records)
Batch (1991, Cruz Records)
Toured: A Live Album (1993, Cargo/Headhunter Records)
No Worse for the Wear (1994, Cargo/Headhunter Records)
A Never Ending Endeavor (2009, Varient Records!)

7″ Singles

“Surrender/Getaway” split with Chemical People (1991, Cruz Records)
“The Snapperhead E.P.” split with Thud! (1992, Blackbox Records)
“No Worse for the Wear/Black Country Rock” (1994, Stab You in the Back/Truk Records)
“Nothin’ At All/Trash the House” (1994, Goldenrod Records)

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 Summer”
By The Banks of the Mighty Santa Ana, Vol. II (1994) – “Song No. 40”
Super Mixer (1996) – “Nothin’ At All”
Keep the Beat (1996) – “Celebrated Summer”
O.C.’s 5400 Day Revolution (1999) – “Big Shot (studio version)”

History