The Triffid is alive in spirit this Sunday evening, groups of friends gather in the beer garden, raising glasses to send off the passing week. It’s one of those nights that provides a true insight into Brisbane’s collective and ongoing passion for live music.
Formed in 1994, the American nu-metal band Hed P.E. are known for distinctive genre-bending sound, fusing together themes of gangsta rap and punk rock, coined as “G-Punk”. Having already visited Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney, their final show in Brisbane is set to be a big one, following the release of their fifteenth album, Detox, in 2023.
There’s a mixture of all generations here tonight – classic punters, sporting Hed P.E. merch, and new age punks, donning extravagant makeup and hairstyles. A group I spoke to travelled all the way from Ballina to be here, because “You can’t miss out on Hed P.E.!”, which seems to be the general consensus from fans awaiting their set.
First up are Northern Rivers rockers, Hammers, setting the bar for more electrifying energy to come.
Next to play are Heartline, all the way from South Australia, introducing the crowd to their diverse sound, a blend of intense metalcore riffs and pop synths.
The lights begin to dim, and a slow, brassy instrumental soundtracks the entrance of Nathan Javier (Guitar), Kurt ‘Kid Bass’ Blankenship (Bass), and their new drummer Stephen Arango. Absolute chaos erupts as frontman, Jared Gomes, places himself front and centre, playing a steady tune on his iconic melodica. Seconds later, a riff that feels as intense as a collision in a mosh pit strikes, kicking off their first song ‘No Way Out’.
It is undeniable how captivating Jared Gomes’ character truly is. Each lyric is roared back at the stage by the audience, purely in awe of his powerful presence as a performer.
Their setlist pays homage to some classic Hed P.E. songs, ‘Bartender’ and ‘Let’s Ride’ ignite the spirit of each punter screaming along every word. As someone who hasn’t experienced many metal shows, it was a pleasure to see such a diverse crowd uniting over the beloved human sense of nostalgia.
But Hed P.E. aren’t just here for the hardcore sounds. The setlist effortlessly ties in their more reggae-inspired tracks too. “We travelled all the way from Southern California to be here tonight Brisbane, so now we’re going to play you some beach music!” Jared announces, laughing, as the band slows down their flow to commence their next song ‘Sophia’.
Track after track, each member fails to miss a beat, collectively nailing every harsh rhythm in perfect harmony. By this point in the set, the adrenaline in the room is so high that the Triffid is full of people screaming, jumping, moshing, and raising their drinks.
To the disdain of all the fans here tonight, not wanting to process the thought of waking up for work tomorrow morning, the show must unfortunately come to an end.
The high-voltage set is closed out with ‘Renegade’ from their 2009 studio album ‘New World Orphans’. Jared thanks the crowd for coming out and singing along, exclaiming, “It’s been a good fucking time Brisbane”.
Hed P.E.’s tour moves to New Zealand next. Click HERE for details.
