Roaring out of the Appalachian Hills down the National Highway!
Hailing from the Northeast of the U.S, The Downstrokes are a band with a lot of experience in them and that journey is evident in their latest album, ‘The Furious Hours’. The twin guitars of lead vocalist Gerry LaFemina and Robin Summerfield are complemented by the rhythm section of bassist Gred Wood and drummer Clint Higgins.
Starting off with the opening track, ‘Let’s Make Some Noise’, the tone is set. A light melodic guitar lick sits well with the fast, thundering pulse of a classic old school punk tune. The vocals are raw, the accent thick – this is not refined singing, this is feeling – there’s no pretence to be anything other than themselves. Too often bands try to be/sound like someone else, that is definitely not the case with The Downstrokes.
Having said that, there is a certain feeling that a lot of this album could have come from the pen of Buzzcocks’ Steve Diggle; the light lead guitar and the angry backing do seem very reminiscent of the OG punk tunesmith. I hasten to add that this is in no way a derogatory statement, merely an observation that good songwriting techniques should be celebrated.
The album fairly rushes along, 11 songs in just over 30 minutes, meaning repeated listening is probably not a bad idea. ‘Coney Island High’, a wonderful melodic tribute to the New Jersey icon has a lively touch reminiscent of The Only Ones, while ‘Brighter Times’ brings elements of Steve Earle, Gin Blossoms and The Pogues, having a singalong after a very big night. It’s a lively little banger.
When I got to ‘Frequent Flyer’, I confess to being slightly frustrated, it’s fine song but the opening riff reminds me of a song that I just can’t recall. Not a reflection on the song which is a fine, slowed down number and a definite highlight. ‘Insomniac’ is a harder tune. Nick Cave/ P.J.Harvey vibes, with a touch of 80’s New York in the vocals, there’s a fine rolling drum and bass part before 60’s Hammond organ pops up. An enjoyable diversion!
‘No More Nights’ is another lively one with an old school feel and a shout along chorus, and again that, now distinctive, light lead riff, which I have to say is a pleasing trademark.
‘Bar Girl Is A Punk’ is I think, lyrically, a trip down memory lane, we all know that one place, and that one bar worker, the one with attitude and swagger, without arrogance but that knows who and what they are. The song seems a fitting tribute to those heroes of the Punk scene. Lively backing vocals add to the feeling of communal celebration.
‘Back To the Wind’ really could have fallen off a copy of ‘Singles Going Steady’ by Buzzcocks, the riff, the stabbing guitars and the backing vocals all make this a very good song. The contrast with the lively reel of the outro is a fine addition, showing the abilities of the band as musicians.
The album closes with ‘(Right Turn) Wrong Way Again’. There’s a harder sound, a mixture of tempos and lively guitar breaks – it’s a fitting closer to a really solid album. (You can watch the video directly on YouTube – link below)
The Downstrokes are four superb musicians who have taken all of their experience and the lessons that only years of hard slog can teach, and turned it into a highly engaging collection of songs, well worth your time. (If you get a chance to hear their cover of ‘Police On My Back’ do so, it’s much better than The Clash’s version..!)
Catch The Downstrokes on tour in the UK and Ireland this May, with original drummer Bill Poorbaugh and bassist Jon Bolling joining Gerry and Robin – more info HERE
Download / buy your CD / vinyl copy of ‘The Furious Hours’ from HERE
Main Photo Credit: JOHN BURROUGHS
Additional Photos: ETHAN BLACK
- Let’s Make Some Noise
- (Trying to Break) Bad Habits
- Everybody Hates a Parade
- Coney Island High
- Brighter Times
- Frequent Flyer
- Insomniac
- No More Nights
- Bar Girl is a Punk
- Back to the Wind
- (Right Turn) Wrong Way Again
Follow The Downstrokes on Their Socials:
Need more Punk In Your Life?
Album review: The Downstrokes – ‘The Furious Hours’
Hailing from the Northeast of the U.S, The Downstrokes are a band with a lot of experience in them and that journey is evident in
Punk Rock Creatives Podcast – March 2026 Update!
March has been a whirlwind for the Punk Rock Creatives Podcast – intense, inspiring, and full of connection. Between gigs, events, and activism, it’s been
Album review: Jim Jones All Stars are back in the groove with ‘Cat Fight’!
Jim Jones All Stars deliver the goods with a new and exhilarating collection in second studio album ‘Cat Fight’! A man with an impeccable track
Live review: Urban Commandos at The Northcourt Live!
Saturday 14th March saw us travel to The Northcourt Live – a decent-sized venue in Abingdon on the outskirts of Oxford – which has a
Album review: Devon street-punks Riot City Radio are ‘Spitting Teeth’
Plymouth, UK street-punk crew Riot City Radio released their sophomore album ‘Spitting Teeth’ on 27th March 2026 through Sunny Bastards Records. Sonically, Riot City Radio
Album review: Grade 2 – ‘Talk About It’
As the intro guitar line of ‘Cut Throat’ bursts from the speakers, it’s clear that the band haven’t so much reworked their sound as refined
Heavily influenced by an older brother, I discovered a love of music at an early age, initially with Punk but eventually with pretty much everything. I play guitar and bass to a very low standard and regularly ‘entertain’ my family and dogs with unwanted noise. I am usually found at the back of both gigs and football matches!
Did you know that we are 100% DIY? We run our own game. No one dictates to us, and no one drives what we can or cannot put on our pages – and this is how we plan to continue!
