Sick Of It All – Galatos: February 6, 2024 (Concert Review)

Bands and punters alike lived up to potential in celebration of a thriving local hardcore scene and the NYC institution that is Sick Of It All.

For what was likely to be one of the biggest nights for hardcore in 2024, the black coated walls of Galatos really was the perfect venue to host this show. The absence of a front rail for accessible gang vocals, a waist height stage conducive to adequate air when launching oneself off the foldback, and a healthy floor space to accommodate slam dancing and circle pits. Bands and punters alike lived up to potential in celebration of a thriving local hardcore scene and the NYC institution that is Sick Of It All.

Chase Mayne

Hamilton rapper Chase Mayne kicked off the evening and was accompanied on the mic by another rapper whose name I didn’t manage to catch. The duo had a confident presence, bouncing verses off each other, shifting between raps and punctuated chorus hooks over mid-tempo beats.  Much of the audience was still filing into the venue during the set and they seemed a little bit stiff, but Chase Mayne was still well received as those in the room were nodding their heads in full attention, despite being tentative about moving close.

Amanaki

Amanaki was up next and they quickly turned me into a fan, vowing to catch them again as soon as possible. Guitarist April Haines shone brightly with her distinctly melodic playing which weaved together a surprisingly wide range of musical touch stones. While solidified in metallic hardcore, her playing included the spaciousness of post-rock, the circular grooves of fugazi and the ability to seamlessly switch between punk chords and metallic leads recalling the likes of White Lung and AFI. The rhythm section played furiously, frequently switching tempo and emphasis beneath front man Jared Kerr who brought an energy that was both intense and inviting. Their set left had emotional resonance, felt open minded and gave the sense that there is more to discover in their music with additional listens. My intuitions were confirmed as their 2024 single Money Man and their 2022 EP Tempest accompanied me on the long drive home.

Drop Off Point

Hamilton’s Drop Off Point were the final Aotearoa act to grace the stage before the main event. Their Bridge City Crew e.p dropped last year and it was a razor clean sounding release, stripped of overdubs and excess (necessary gang vocals aside…), leaving a concise 14 minutes of blunt force. The first several seconds of which includes a voice memo from NYC Hardcore legend Hoya Roc warning that people better pay attention to Drop Off Point or else! The confrontational energy the e.p translated directly onto the stage with front man Mikey Walker clenching his fist while belting his vocals in a largely syllabic style, guitarist Bones Carter looking at home in his branded gym singlet while hunched over his guitar in a wide footed stance.  I get the sense these guys contribute to the vibrance and network of the hardcore scene in Aotearoa based on the enthusiasm of their reception, the willingness of punters to grab the mic and embrace band members in an affectionate mid-song headlock, and the local band merch game sported by across the stage. Musically, Drop Off Point doesn’t set out to reinvent the wheel; but they spun the wheel HARD last night, bringing an adrenaline fuelled and distinctly kiwi iteration of the US East Coast hardcore sound.

Sick Of It All

The last time I saw Sick Of It All was also at Galatos, but over 20 years ago touring the Life On The Ropes album. It was a stroke of luck catching the set as I was a high schooler, underage and without a ticket when the bouncer took pity by waving my friend and I through the doors during the second of Sick Of It All’s set. That show was a blast. Inside the venue in 2024, I reacquainted with the same friend, and he spoke to me about the importance of Sick Of It All getting him through some of his most difficult times in those intervening years. I spotted another audience member sporting a dragon tattoo and I and took a moment to appreciate the depth and symbiotic relationship this band has had with their audience and the hardcore scene for almost 40 years.

Their set went by in such a flurry of intensity, energy and movement that it was difficult to keep up with the individual songs being played. From what I do recall there were a number of early set highlights such as Inner Vision from 2018’s Wake The Sleeping Dragon that matched the studio version’s intensity, whereas Injustice System & Clobberin’ Time from their 1989 debut actually sounded more full bodied and powerful last night than on the record. All of which incited a gang vocal pile up at singer Lou Koller’s feet. Lou commented that being the last night of the tour, his voice was shredded and that he may need some audience help. To my ear, he maintained his trademark scathing vocal throughout the night and I wouldn’t have noticed he was struggling.

Guitarist Pete Koller naturally drew my attention throughout the set, stomping his power chord riffs across the stage; frequently airborne or engaged in a two step dance to the rhythm. The man has stamina. Yet it was bassist Craig Setari who I came out of the show with a new appreciation for; his feet more firmly planted that the Koller brothers and I noticed how much melody and bounce he brings to the band with his baselines.

The atmosphere throughout Sick Of It All’s set was appreciative and jovial. The band happy to let audience members run amuck onstage, individuals sometimes lingering longer than their welcome, responded to with a mere shrug and a grin between band members. After some short banter with an audience member about tonight being Chubs’ birthday, Lou made a running joke of Chubs being a big enough deal to warrant a national holiday. Chubs however surpassed all expectations when the band pulled him up on stage to take over lead vocals on Scratch The Surface; Chubs absolutely killed it.

Overall, this was an incredible night of local and international music, rekindling my enthusiasm for the hardcore genre and my drive to get out to more local shows. Sick Of It All seemed rather stoked on the warmth of their reception. Commenting that their 2012 tour of New Zealand felt lacklustre and having made comments to the promoter that 2024 was likely to be their last visit to New Zealand. I wouldn’t be so sure of that assertion after the exaltation of last night; my feeling is that they will go out of their way to visit Aotearoa shores again should the opportunity arise!

Review & photos by Chris Warne

Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Chris Warne:

Sick Of It All:

Drop Off Point:

Amanaki:

Chase Mayne: