ALBUM REVIEW

BB  & The Bullets

If you’re looking for the sonic definition of a good time, look no further than Whanganui, New Zealand’s own BB & The Bullets. This isn’t the kind of blues-rock you sit down and analyze—it’s the kind that sounds best cranked up in a packed tavern or out on a back porch with a cold drink. Fronted by veteran guitar slinger and singer Brian Baker, the band is held down by Stu "The Glue" Duncan on bass and Brad McMillan behind the drum kit. As a power trio, these guys have that rare, unspoken chemistry where they just lock into a groove and let it roll, a vibe they’ve been perfecting across local stages and late-night jams for years. 

They caught a massive wave with their 2025 debut, High Tide, turning enough heads to get picked up by the legendary French label Dixiefrog Records and proving their brand of fiery, slide-heavy blues can translate anywhere on the map. 

Opening with blues rocker, Midnight Rider, Brian Baker on lead vocal and guitar sets the pace with Stu Duncan on bass and Brad McMillan on drums. A track definitely spawned from the roots in southern rock, Baker's guitar riffs keep the train moving. Freak Show, is a cool track with a lumbering pace, exaggerated by McMillan on drums. Baker on lead vocal keeps things moving with a tidy guitar recurring guitar riff and backing vocals by Duncan and McMillan add depth to the track. Bakers double stopped guitar solos and McMillan's rock solid bottom gives this track a definite edge. 

Title track, Wrong Side Of The River is a strong, slower paced blues ballad with a dark melody and nicely blended vocals. Baker breaks loose with a soulful guitar solo working nicely with his own lead vocals and blended really nicely with Duncan and McMillan. Peter Green's, Oh Well is up next with a rockier, less psychedelic version of a pretty strong track. I really enjoy hearing this old classic and what BB has done to bring it up to date.   

Black Crow is an almost reggae track with a rhythmic guitar/ drum chemistry anchored by Duncan on bass. I like how Baker stretches on guitar giving it just a nudge more edge. Possibly my favorite track on the release.  Wrapping the release is rocker, Crawl Right In with it's driving feel.  A strong bottom, reinforced vocals on the refrain and scorching guitar riffs really gives the track a unitary feeling, the driving guitar riffs and McMillan's heavy handed drum work gives the track a heavy edge.  Powerful closer.  

📋 Album Credits & Production Info
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• Album Title Wrong Side of the River
• Artist BB & The Bullets
• Record Label Overton Music
• Release Date October 2, 2026
• Personnel Brian Baker (Guitar, Vocals), Stu Duncan (Bass, Vocals), Brad McMillan (Drums, Vocals)
• Studio Production Ten original blues-rock compositions written by Brian Baker alongside one classic cover; arranged, tracked, and performed entirely as a high-voltage power trio framework.

🎼 Track Listing & Personnel
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Featured Personnel & Masters: Brian Baker, Stu "The Glue" Duncan, and Brad McMillan.

1. Midnight Rider
2. Wild Honey
3. Freak Show
4. Wrong Side Of The River
5. Get A Little Real
6. Oh Well
7. Sometimes You Lose Yourself
8. Black Crow
9. The Buddha Song
10. She Knows
11. Crawl Right In

📺 Session Video Performance
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Watch: BB & The Bullets play Freak Show from Wrong Side Of The River

🎵 Discography & Purchase Options
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Album Title	Record Label	Accreditation	Year
Wrong Side Of The River	Overton Music	High-Voltage Blues Rock Power Trio Outing	2026
High Tide	Dixiefrog	Hard-Driving Roots & Blues Debut Album	2025