Live music review: Not So Fun WKND with Trapped Under Ice, God’s Hate and more at Far Out Lounge
I bitch about Austin a lot—parking, traffic, rent prices. But every once in a while, the city gets it right. Not So Fun WKND at The Far Out Lounge March 8 was one of those moments. The all-day fest organized by Parade of Flesh with Trapped Under Ice, God’s Hate and many others took place at the popular South Austin venue. An opening party was held Friday, March 7 at Sagebrush with Suburban Scum, Dmize, Creeping Death and more. Hardcore bands from across the country descended on Austin, turning the weekend into a cathartic release of bad vibes and raw energy.
Queensway kicked things off at NSFW with complex grooves that felt like a nod to Candira, their dance pits more joyous than brutal. From there, Big Boy, Suburban Scum, and Haywire kept the momentum alive. Haywire felt less like a band and more like a party, their riffs igniting the crowd in a way that’s all too rare these days. Suburban Scum was heavy riffs galore, bringing the carnage as the pit got turned up with every beat-down refrain. Dmize and Regional Justice Center had moments as the crowds ate up the fury.
Hardcore is a quiet religion. While the music is violent with people swinging arms and legs wildly and using one another as a mosh pit launching pad, it’s a needed church for many who don’t have anything to pray to – this community center on steroids is a place where people can take out their bad day frustrations with no hard feelings, even if someone takes a karate chop to the head.
Co-headliners God’s Hate continue to build their fanbase as they harken back to bands like Marauder and those early Hatebreed records. For the band’s fans, the set was a growling murderess that didn’t disappoint. The Los Angeles hardcore outfit led by pro wrestler and actor, Brody King has been touring non-stop since the year began.
For me, the highlight was easily Trapped Under Ice, which didn’t lay off the gas for even a moment. As they blazed their catalog, the crowd gave them everything in return. Few bands bring the same fury and excitement as Trapped Under Ice. As the bodies flew through the air, it’s no wonder the crowd screamed every word along with singer Justice Tripp as the band saw its Texas homecoming, nothing short of a brawling family reunion that many people needed more than they realized.
The Parade of Flesh crew who organized the metal mayhem deserves a nod of thanks for Not So Fun WKND because those moments of purity in an ever-commercialized landscape feel more fleeting than ever. These fests matter because people from all over came to Austin and left nothing on the table. People saw bands that are playing less and less these days, so getting a chance to connect rather than disagree in Facebook comments is a precious thing. Hardcore music is for everyone and everyone showed out for the music at the Far Out. Community is everything against the backdrop of more mixed-use condos.
All photos by Justin Clark
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