11 February 2023 – Max Watts, Melbourne – review and pictures by Nicole Smith-Walker
I was super excited to see Hed PE again, after their last tour with Nonpoint. I knew this night would be fun. What I love about Hed PE is their fusion of genres- from rap, to punk, to reggae.
Frankenbok, from Melbourne (formed in 1997), opened the night. As I waited for them to come on stage, only two people were on the barrier. Everyone was hanging back by the bar or the merch and the side walls. By the time I finished photographing the first three songs, the crowd was in the mosh pit. Fans and new fans alike were given a special moment from the band. The current vocalist introduced their first vocalist on stage and performed together.
Jared ‘MC Underdog’ Gomes, the vocalist from Hed PE said that the band were “Bringing you vibes from sunny Southern California”- they did just that.
The performance was filled with hip hop dance grooves and cheeky smiles from MC Underdog and fans described the drummer Jeremiah ‘Trauma’ Stratton, as the happiest drummer in the world.
Fans moshed and crowd surfed. A fan brought a painting for the band, in which ended up on display proudly in front of the drum kit.
MC Underdog joked “We have been doing this for 25 years- some of you were teenagers and look at you now!”
The night ended with ‘Renegade’, with no encore. Parts of the song was repeated. And just when you thought they were finished, they repeated it again- and which made me laugh several times. It’s a great song to sing a long to. With lyrics: “You might hate me, but you can’t break me, I might be bleeding, but I’m still breathing, I’ll never surrender ’cause I’m a renegade” is such an anthem.
After the show, some members came out to greet fans, have photos taken and sign some memorabilia.
Already looking forward to the next tour!
