While it\’s been three years since the legendary rapcore band known as Hed(pe) have released an album, they continue to tour nonstop. The Castle Theatre in Bloomington, IL was home to the latest stop on the Local Heroes 2 tour, headlined by Hed(pe). For this tour Hed(pe)is asking for fans to bring non-perishable food and toiletry items that they will give to those in need. Illinois was hit hard by tornadoes a week prior and the items being donated by fans at the show are being delivered to the people that lost homes in Washington and Gifford, IL. Now how cool is that? Kudos to Hed(pe)!
Peoria, IL rockers Life in Cycle were called upon to open the show. The band had a small following at the venue and they did their best to get the crowd ready for the other bands. They have a good sound and seem to be an up and coming back to look out or in central Illinois.
South Dakota hard rockers, Blacklite District, were next to take the stage. Blacklite District is a band on the rise, and quite a few fans in the audience knew them from their hit song \”Take Me to the Grave,\” which spent five weeks as the #1 song on SiriusXM Octane. BLD has a great stage presence and the crowd was really into the music. After their performance, the guitarist invited fans to hang out with them to chat and have drinks.
For this tour Hed(pe) brought along Wyoming metal band Righteous Vendetta. As soon as they started playing, the crowd moved closer to the stage and instantly connected with the band. Righteous Vendetta rocked the crowd to the point where the moshpits began to form. They definitely did their job of getting the crowd pumped for headliners Hed(pe). Righteous Vendetta is another band on the rise with great sound, and put on a heck of a performance.
Finally, headliners Hed(pe) took to the stage, vocalist Jared Gomes came out carrying an old television, stating to the crowd that the band got a new TV on their tour bus and wanted to give away the old one, so he left it on the stage for whoever wanted it. After that hilarious start to the set, Hed PE performed hit songs \”Renegade,\” \”Bartender,\” Swandive,\” \”Let\’s Ride,\” and \”The Meadow.\” It was interesting seeing Hed(pe) at this point in their career as they are growing up and have a different view on life. The past six years the band has preached on stage about not trusting the government; now they are wanting the fans to do things to make their life better. As a testament to this newfound attitude, Gomes is currently trying to make his life better by going to rehab and refraining from drug and alcohol use. It\’s a complete turnaround from what Hed(pe) was and it’s awesome that changes are happening. Hed(pe) stated that they are working on a new album called
Ascension, which will be released in 2014.
As always, Hed(pe) never fails to put on a good show, interact with the fans, and continue to keep the punk rock attitude.
-Philip Coon