Sarah Herrera isn’t just a musician—she’s a force of nature. As the bassist and vocalist for The Tommy Lasorda Experience and a solo artist with three albums under her belt, she embodies the raw, unfiltered energy of punk rock. Her music is a reflection of her life: chaotic, brutally honest, and, at times, hilariously inappropriate.
In this deep dive, we explore her latest album, creative process, influences, and the trials and triumphs of her career. Buckle up—it’s gonna be a hell of a ride.
A Giant Pinball Going Down The Road: The Latest Album
Originally titled I Like To Drink And Drive Because I Want To Be A Giant Pinball Going Down The Road (before Spotify’s content restrictions made a slight edit necessary), the album is everything fans have come to expect from Sarah Herrera: offensive, witty, and thought-provoking.
Lyrically, it swings between razor-sharp satire and deeply personal reflection. Tracks range from feminist anthems to absurdist storytelling. One song, Time To Throw In The Towel, consists entirely of negative comments from social media—a creative middle finger to the critics. Others tackle subjects as varied as Route 17 in Upstate New York, a passionate hatred for Jay Leno, and the pitfalls of fame.
Perhaps most intriguing is Noir, a song that doubles as chapter one of a detective novel Sarah Herrera is writing—a nod to her love of classic noir authors like Raymond Chandler.
And of course, there’s a song about blacking out on stage. Because of course there is.
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The Creative Process: Highs, Lows, and Studio Deals That Sarah Herrera Won’t Discuss
When asked about her songwriting process, Herrera keeps it real:
“There’s no real process, per se. I just sit there, get high, and see what comes into my head. Usually, it’s pretty good. Often, it’s garbage.”
For years, the band had dozens of unrecorded songs, but a new connection at a studio has changed that. How she secured unlimited studio time remains a mystery—one she’s not eager to clarify.
“I won’t tell you how I got the studio time, but put it this way – I feel very dirty. I shower a lot.”
Fair enough.
Musical Influences: The Good, The Bad, and the Unprintable
Herrera’s influences are as eclectic as her personality. While she has little patience for modern “strip club rap,” she admires bands that push boundaries.
She gives a special shoutout to NY/NJ band Tomorrow’s Dream for their killer rhythm section and Chaka for their… unique sound.
“Their music is kind of the sonic equivalent of being held down in a prison shower and sodomized.”
That’s a review you don’t see every day.
On the lighter side, she has an ironic love for Ashlee Simpson’s infamous SNL lip-sync fail.
“I try to pattern my stage persona after that.”
Which makes sense, given the gleeful chaos that defines her performances.
The Struggles: Substance Abuse and the Punk Rock Lifestyle
Sarah Herrera doesn’t shy away from talking about the darker side of her career.
“Major substance abuse issues. I have dealt with them by using the time-honored technique of complete denial.”
Her honesty is equal parts humorous and heartbreaking. She knows the lifestyle is unsustainable, but for now, she’s rolling with it.
“If I make it to 30, I’ll consider myself lucky. But it’s the life I chose.”
A Surreal Moment: Seeing Herself on TV in a Bar (Before Getting Kicked Out)
One of Herrera’s most surreal experiences came in a Brooklyn bar, watching a music video of herself on a big screen. The video, I’ll Quit Smoking When You Quit Breathing, features her playing bass in various ridiculous locations thanks to green screen magic—on the moon, in a football stadium, in the middle of the Cross Bronx Expressway.
“And there’s 75 people in a bar looking at me performing on a big plasma TV, and I’m sitting right there next to them. I didn’t know how to feel.”
She barely had time to process the moment before getting thrown out of the bar. Just another night in the life.
What Keeps Her Going? Rent and Passion
“Rent. Due first of the month.”
Beyond the financial necessity, music is Sarah Herrera’s lifeblood. The thrill of releasing a new song and hearing fans react to it keeps her motivated.
“There’s no greater thrill than waking up in the morning, putting on my headphones, and discovering that one of our singles or albums has just dropped, and I’m listening to it along with thousands of our fans.”
One of their biggest songs, This Is My Jam!, has become an inside joke among fans who excitedly proclaim, “THIS IS MY JAM!” whenever a new track drops.
The Message: Question Authority (and Play More Pool)
At its core, Sarah Herrera’s music carries a simple yet powerful message:
“Question authority. Think for yourself. No hierarchy or system of power is self-justifying. And if something requires force, it’s probably not a good idea.”
Also, pool.
“We have written so many songs about pool that our label (Insurrectionary Records NYC) had to sit me down and tell me ‘no more songs about pool’.”
She plays hours of 9-ball daily and has beaten some of the best players in The Bronx. The callouses on her hands? Not from playing bass. From playing pool.
What’s Next? Secret Collaborations and More Chaos
A new artist named B-Stylez is signed to their label, and Sarah Herrera is eager to get his album out—if he ever gets around to recording.
“He has got a voice I would literally kill my entire family for.”
While she can’t reveal his true identity, she hints that he’s a very well-known musician.
“The guy has more talent in his penis than I do in my entire body. I’d love to get with him, but he’s married. Just my luck.”
Classic Sarah Herrera.
Final Thoughts: The Punk Rock Life in All Its Messy Glory
Sarah Herrera isn’t trying to fit into anyone’s mold. Her music is loud, crude, insightful, and sometimes downright ridiculous—but that’s what makes it authentic. She’s a musician who thrives on chaos, and her fans wouldn’t have it any other way.
As long as she keeps writing, performing, and occasionally getting thrown out of bars, punk rock will be in good hands.
