Drive On Mak Babylon EP Cover
The cover for Texas-based trio, Drive On Mak’s, neo-blues-rock-punk EP, ‘Babylon.’

Band: Drive On Mak; Sean Makra: singer-songwriter-guitarist; Scott Feigh: drums; and Jason Bilderback: bass

EP: Babylon

Confronting the challenging realities of life that are often buried by society can be a painful experience for many people who are struggling to contend with their sense of identity. But the Texas-based musical trio, Drive On Mak, are determined to instead allow the conflicts they’ve confronted guide them in their journey to improve themselves. On their newly released second EP, ‘Babylon,’ vocalist Sean Makra thrives on his experience as a former soldier to guide him to openly tackle the issues that are usually forsaken by society, especially the emotional and physical effects that regularly plague veterans.

The neo-blues and rock-infused ‘Babylon’ begins with its title track, which intriguingly combines rock and reggae elements together that perfectly blend messages of war and peace, love and loss, spirituality and disbelief. Seemingly influenced by such influential and popular acts as Sublime and the Goo Goo Dolls, as well as Makra’s personal military experience, the lead vocalist sings about how the title city is under siege. The realistic song powerfully ponders what would happen if society were to be put under siege soon, and how people would survive. The singer’s vocals offer innate feelings of melancholy and isolation, and those moments of desperation, sorrow and grief grippingly highlight the vulnerability of trying to rebuild humanity’s compassion.

Drive On Mak’s latest album then delve into a lighter nature with the blues and rock-inspired entry, ‘Comin’ For You.’ Fueled in part by the alluring addition of the harmonica from the band’s drummer, Scott Feigh, Makra sings about a woman who’s on the prowl for her next victim. While the lyrics are still somewhat macabre, as the vocalist croons about the woman forgoing her target’s pleas for mercy, in her effort to complete her mission of controlling him, the overall track compellingly emphasizes people’s right to be independent.

‘Comin’ For You’ then transitions into another dynamic blues and rock-inspired tune, ‘Kiss Thy Hand.’ The best entry on the trio’s latest EP, which is influenced by such bands as Soundgarden and Nirvana, isn’t afraid to infuse the Texas musicians’ morally inspiring lessons with stunning ’90s-era alternative rock guitar riffs and drum beats. Makra powerfully pays tribute to the leaders who rule the kingdom, and protect those who are faithful to their mission.

The next song on ‘Babylon’ is the rock-inspired ‘Outlaw,’ which once again highlights Drive On Mak’s versatility. The fast-paced track intriguingly chronicles the declaration of a man who proclaims to love leading a life on the wrong side of the law. Once again driven by gritty guitars and drums, Makra isn’t afraid to highlight the thrill of living by his own terms, without being restrained by society.

‘Outlaw’ than transitions into the slower-paced tune, ‘Player,’ which is intriguingly fueled by jazz-inspired guitar and ’90s rock-infused vocals. Makra emotionally reveals that he’s looking for distractions to ease the pain in his life, even though his faith always influences his actions.

Drive On Mak’s latest EP winds down with its last full-length song, the rock-and-roll inspired ‘When I’m Gone.’ Once again featuring an enthralling harmonica addition from Feigh that support Makra’s lyrics about saying goodbye and moving on, the Texas-based trio perfected a captivating track that’s influenced in part by Bob Dylan. The group’s singer encourages the person he’s involved with to pack and if they don’t want to stay committed to the relationship. The vocalist also powerfully added that he’s heard everything his partner had to say, and he’s now determined to move on.

Confronting the arduous realities of life that are often buried by society can be a challenging experience for many people who are struggling to contend with their sense of identity. But the members of Drive On Mak are determined to instead allow the conflicts they’ve confronted guide them in their journey to improve themselves. Their resolve is emotionally showcased on ‘Babylon,’ especially when Makra emotionally sings about how his experiences as a former soldier guide him to openly tackle the issues that are usually forsaken by society.

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Drive On Mak's neo-blues-rock-punk EP, 'Babylon'
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By Karen Benardello

As a graduate of LIU Post with a B.F.A in Journalism, Print and Electronic, Karen Benardello serves as ShockYa's Senior Movies & Television Editor. Her duties include interviewing filmmakers and musicians, and scribing movie, television and music reviews and news articles. As a New York City-area based journalist, she's a member of the guilds, New York Film Critics Online and the Women Film Critics Circle.

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