Hed PE – Galatos, 15 February 2025: Review & Photo Gallery

17th February 2025

On a warm, late summer evening, Auckland’s Galatos was transformed into a fiery cauldron of aggression, rhythm, and purgation of the ears as Hed PE tore through an electrifying set that had the crowd moshing and heads banging in unison.

The iconic Southern California band, brought their A-game to this intimate venue, giving long-time fans and curious newcomers a show they won’t soon forget.

The opening act, Pull Down the Sun, was a force to be reckoned with as they shredded their instruments, while the crowd head banged in fierce, synchronised motion, making even Judas Priest proud.

For over a decade, the band has fused Prog-Metal and riff-driven post-Rock to craft a celestial sound inspired by Māori mythology. Their massive riffs, ethereal soundscapes, and haunting choruses created a sonic journey through the mysteries of their homeland.

After finishing their set and exiting the stage, the distinct hum and rumble of the band lingered in your ears long after, as the roadies carried out their duties, clearing the stage.

The audience was a sea of tattoos, long hair, and some dreads. Metal hearts and cast-iron souls united.

Amid the chaos, an audience member whimsically blew bubbles into the crowd, while the air carried the unmistakable waft of ganja. As an interesting pre-show soundtrack played, the anticipation was palpable.

Then, Hed PE hit the stage at full throttle, and the room erupted with such force that the floor seemed to shift beneath us.

The opening song, No Way Out, kicked off with intense energy, the crowd singing along, pushing forward to claim front-row spots. The cheers and claps were unstoppable.

The diverse crowd, a mix of long-haired, metal-clad bikers, punk diehards, and even hipsters with an edge, created a lively atmosphere.

The funky bass of Kurt Kid Bass Blankenship, a blend of Flea and Steve Harris, punctuated the set. His playing was like a blacksmith hammering molten metal into shape, with each note striking with precision and force.

To be honest, I hadn’t heard of Hed PE until the day before the show. When I first listened to their music on Spotify, I found them lighter than expected. But as the set unfolded, it was clear that they were a California Surf Punk band playing G-Punk with Reggae influences. Formed in 1994, around the same time as Smash Mouth.

The unmistakable blend of heavy guitar riffs and Hip-Hop delivery had the audience immediately captivated.

Frontman Jahred Gomes, his energy boundless as ever, commanded the stage with his trademark intensity. With a mixture of rage and charisma, he guided the crowd through an emotional rollercoaster that saw every word of every song sung back at him in collective unity.

Guitarist Nathan Javier and drummer Stephen Arango delivered relentless, punishing rhythms that kept the foundation steady while Jahred’s vocals soared through each track.

The band was incredibly entertaining, with high-flying jumps that rattled the stage. The left-side speaker stack swayed with each leap, as though caught in the wake of a massive magnitude 8 earthquake.

Mid-set, the energy shifted as Blankenship stepped to the side of the stage, letting the promoter hit the bass strings while Blankenship artfully controlled the fretboard, creating a bass wall worthy of any stadium rockstar. His face contorted in ways that earned him the title of rubberiest face of the night, all while he seemed to be having the time of his life.

Jared Gomes addressed the crowd. You know it’s good to have friends in Auckland. Now we’re going to play some underground shit.

With that, they kicked into Let’s Ride, with its Reggae-inspired beat and lyrics, I drink, I smoke, I fuck. My kind, we fight in the club.

As the crowd sang along, Gomes dropped the mic, letting the audience take over the end of the verse before he screamed the chorus notes, sending the room into chaos. It was like watching a salmon swimming upstream in one of the wildest rivers in the world.

A standout track, Rat Race, began with a flam-infused kick and snare combo from drummer Stephen Arango, signalling the band to dive into a thunderous bass line that was both smooth and pulsating. The dynamics in this song, shifting from funky grooves to a hard-hitting nu-metal chorus, made it one of the night’s highlights.

At one point, Greg, the photographer, told me he was heading into the mosh pit for some shots. I decided to accompany him, thinking he might need some protection from the chaos he was about to enter.

We pushed through the crowd and found ourselves in the heart of the mosh pit, just as the music took a breather. But as soon as the chorus hit, the energy surged, and it felt like being inside a cement mixer full of garden gnomes spinning wildly. Hair, fists, elbows, and shoulders collided as the crowd surged. It was like a violent ride on the London Underground during a derailment. I lost track of Greg in the chaos, so much for protecting him.

What made Hed PE’s show truly stand out, though, wasn’t just the music, it was the band’s undeniable connection with the audience. There’s a kind of magnetic intimacy that can only be captured in smaller venues like Galatos, and Hed PE didn’t shy away from it.

Throughout the set, Jahred leaned into the crowd, grinning as they sang back the lyrics with fervour, every chorus a call-and-response that felt more like a celebration than a concert.

Hed PE’s performance at Galatos wasn’t just a concert. It was an event. A reminder that Rock, Hip-Hop, and Punk can still fuse together in a way that feels dangerous, thrilling, and deeply emotive.

For the fans who packed the venue, the show was a statement. Hed PE still delivers, and they do it with a fire that burns hotter than ever. The energy didn’t just leave the room when the lights came up, it lingered. A reminder that music can be as much about release as it is about connection.

Paul Marshall