Trigger is back - old tapes, but new tracks
The year is 1979. Trigger has standout tracks like “Baby Don’t Cry” and “Rockin’ Cross the USA,” fitting in perfectly with the hard rock sound taking over the airwaves and clubs. After a tour with Cheap Trick, Trigger found themselves in a pivotal moment in their career, their next move more crucial than ever—they rushed right back to the studio and began laying down tracks for their next record. As the finishing touches were being made, they were met with bad news: Their label, Casablanca, was bankrupt and were immediately closing up shop. Their record was shelved, and the band members were forced to hang up their guitars and turn to a life of regular day job normalcy.
Their long-shelved second album Second Round, recorded in 1979 and left unheard for decades, is finally being released by Ba Da Bing Records. Led by the explosive first single “Backtalk,” the record isn’t a relic—it’s a revelation.
The album was recorded at two of the most iconic studios in rock history—Electric Lady and the Record Plant—at a time when Trigger had momentum, a Casablanca Records deal, and a reputation as one of the most exciting live acts on the East Coast. They had toured with Cheap Trick, sharpened their harmonies, and expanded their sound, bringing a melodic sophistication that split the difference between arena rock and pop precision.
Flashforward to 2025 and Second Round is finally getting it’s moment. All original members—Derek Remington (vocals/drums), Jimmy Duggan (guitar/vocals), Tom Nigra (bass guitar/backing vocals), and Richie House (lead guitar/vocals)— are present on the recordings. Sadly, Duggan and Nigra have passed away, but Remington and House have overseen this reissue, with songs sourced directly from the analog masters. The Trigger of today maintains a high level of quality, albeit with a bit less flair, and even less hair.
“Backtalk” leads the charge: a snarling, hook-heavy anthem with biting lyrics and guitars that don’t let up. It’s a song that hits with the same urgency as any modern rock revival—and proves Trigger was never behind the times, just caught in the crossfire of a label collapse.
LISTEN TO Backtalk HERE
This isn’t a dusty archival find. It’s a fully realized, forward-driving album that bridges generations of rock with confidence and fire. Second Round isn’t about looking back—it’s about catching up to a band that was always ahead of the curve.
Trigger’s Second Round comes out on May 30th through Ba Da Bing Records.