HED PE “Still BROKE In America” 25th Anniversary Tour

Photos By: Holly Roy Photography
Review By: Kathi Gullage

Didn’t realize how bad we needed a raw live rock and roll show until a community of local metalheads turned out on a random Tuesday night to get a big ole dose.

Connecticut’s own metalcore ensemble, Eyes Of Theia, got the place warmed up proper. They took the stage as I walked in and the walls outside were literally shaking. Welcome! They opened with “Black Water” and “Knockout Blow” which flexed their blend of old school thrash riffs with modern harsh vocals. The next two were my personal faves of the set “Control” and “Demons And Saviors” which had a great axe intro and incorporated a bit of soft vocals with the growls. They closed with “High Ridge” and “Everything Ends”. Eyes of Theia are singer Pete Tiroletto, bassist Alani Schaperow, guitarists Steven Flynn and Jimmy Christian and drummer Haris Shah. This local crew been cranking out aggressive harmonies since 2014. There’s a release party scheduled for their new album, Black Water Blessing, 6/6/26 at The Cellar on Treadwell. You should go.
 
A nu-alt metal injection came next courtesy of Flaw. I think it had been about six years since they played CT, and with only two appearances on this run, their cult following showed up in force. The group has five studio and three independent albums along with two EPs. Their eight song set pulled mostly from their debut LP, 2001’s Through The Eyes. “Amendment” launched and the fan energy increased with the volume. A pit broke out during every song thereafter. Flaw dipped into Endangered Species for “Medicate” and Divided We Fall for “Live And Breathe”. The band’s only original member and singer, Chris Volz greeted us with ”It’s good to see you guys, I’m hearing your voices!” The devoted crowd ate it up as the set continued with “Only The Strong”, “Get Up Again” and “Scheme”. Volz announced “We’ve been working six to eight months on new music, we’ll come back with new shit.” “Connecticut, let’s go!” Flaw closed with “Reliance” and “Payback”. The band’s
lineup has frequently changed. At this gig Volz was backed by guitarist Chris Marple, bassist Stacey Brooks and drummer Jason Proctor. The sound mix was solid and the Flaw faithful left satisfied with the unflawed performance. If you’re a Flaw fan, the live show absolutely delivers.

Primer 55 brought their brand of rap-nu metal to the lineup. The group from Tennessee has survived a revolving door of members and two lengthy hiatuses, with their latest reunion taking place just a year ago. Primer 55 has two official studio albums and several independent EP/LPs. Their eight song set leaned heavily on 2000’s Introduction To Mayhem. I should add that there’s no formal photo pit at this venue, so I had to protect my photographer and her equipment while gathering notes for the review, all while stationed at the front of the GA area. Primer 55 launched straight into title track “The Big Fuck You”, the mosh pit broke out and never stopped. I literally had my back to the stage because I had to play defense. We got five consecutive tracks from Mayhem with “Tripinthehead”, “Stain”, “Supa Freak Love”, “Set It Off” and “Violence”. Midway
through that barrage we left our post at the rail and relocated to the back of the room, which freed up more space for the moshers. The frenetic energy continued for “This Life / Pills” off (The) New Release and the closer, “Loose”. Original member and guitarist Bobby Burns was joined by bassist Joshua Toomey, singer “DRP” Danny Polinske, and Saxton Dover filled in on percussion for Preston Nash. Primer 55 put on a good show and I rarely have to retreat from the pit like that. Catch a live performance and see for yourself!

I really love Hed PE (Higher Education Planet Earth/Planetary Evolution) and their G-Punk sound, nu-rap metal with a reggae infusion. The band has sixteen (!) studio albums and have sold over 700,000 records worldwide. However, this quick eight date shot was all about 2000’s Broke. The group played it in its entirety minus “Stevie” and, for those hardcore Hed PE trivia heads, the Japanese edition bonus track “Bad Dream”. Guitarist Nathan Javier, incredibly talented player, performer and genuinely awesome human, kicked things off with a distorted chant of “Jesus” into the mic before they launched into “Jesus (Of Nazareth)”. The band rolled out “Killing Time”, “Waiting To Die” and “Feel Good” which ignited the crowd. Founder, frontman and lead vocalist
Jared “M.C.U.D.” (MC Underdog) Gomes commented “Doesn’t feel like a Tuesday, feels more like a
Thursday!” He wasn’t wrong, it was an impressive turnout. They kept the momentum going with “Swan Dive” and “Crazy Legs” followed by the crowd pleaser “I Got You”. Jared announced that one of his kids had just gotten accepted to a University and that he also has a four year old daughter. “Please buy a t-shirt! I’ll sell you one myself!” A mosh pit had opened up earlier on, but it didn’t swallow the entire room, so we were able to stay planted up front and jammed the fuck out. We usually move after our photographer gets her shots, but this show was so much fun we stayed locked in front of Nate the entire gig. “Pac Bell” was on deck followed by “Boom (How You Like That)” and the crowd responded enthusiastically that they did indeed like that. The tempo dipped slightly for “The Meadow (Special Like You)” before Jared spoke again, thanked us all for coming out and supporting them through the years. He declared, to applause, “I’m first generation from Brazil and look at me now! I made it!” And then he broke it out, his trusty organ kazoo thingy, the melodica. It’s his thing, his staple, but I was happy that he didn’t overplay it at this particular show. Hed PE blew the roof off the place as they wrapped with their most well known hit, “Bartender”. Jared and Nate were backed by drummer Stephen Arango and bassist Kurt “Kid Bass” Blankenship (who makes bracelets you can buy at merch!). Together this foursome is a talented tight unit, really fun to watch and listen to live. These guys work their asses off, going out on tour when gas prices are insanely high, rig breaking down along the way, playing filled clubs while others cancel their tours due to the trending blue dot syndrome, genuinely appreciating all of their fans along the way. Hed PE is one of those bands that remain very accessible to their audience, cuz they give a shit and they want us to have a good time. The bad news is this particular tour has ended. The good news is
that Hed PE just announced they will be part of “The Even More.. Outta Control Tour (with even Less Control than before!)” alongside Nonpoint, Soil & Spine Shank. Dates have been published running 7/31/26 through 8/7/26 with hopefully more to come. Hit one of em up!

EYES OF THEIA

PRIMER 55

FLAW

HED PE