My new favorite band back in 2017 was hands down Power Trip out of Dallas, Texas. I saw them three times last year including their performance at the Aftershock Festival in Sacramento. Power Trip are currently out on the road headlining their own North American tour and so my brother Tommy and I had to go see them for their show at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco.
Power Trip’s show was also on the same night of game one of the NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers. After the game was over we quickly headed over to the Great American Music Hall. Unfortunately, we missed the first two bands but when we walked in we caught most of Sheer Mag’s set. I first heard of Sheer Mag last year after Joey Armstrong, drummer for SWMRS, recommend that I listen to them. I loved Sheer Mag’s style which features that 70s rock sound fused with punk rock. I highly recommend seeing them next time they play in the Bay Area.
Power Trip came out next for their headline performance and my brother and I moved up closer for a better view. We are both too old to mosh so we stood off to the side but still had a clear view of the band. As you can see in the photos and videos below Power Trip delivers an intense live performance. I always love seeing an out state thrash metal band come through the Bay Area since we are the original home of thrash metal for two reasons. First being these shows brings out all the local metalheads and two, I feel like these out state thrash metal bands bring it extra hard to please the Bay Area crowd. Power Trip didn’t disappoint. The crowd went crazy and the pit went off when the band kicked it into their first song. I love Power Trip’s sound which is a mixture of thrash metal and hardcore punk rock aka crossover thrash. Both guitarists, Blake Ibanez and Nick Stewart, bring that heavy, fast paced crunch. Power Trip’s drummer, Chris Ulsh, comes from a punk rock background and he plays with only one bass drum which plays an important part to their overall sound. Bassist Chris Whetzel brings that groove to compliment Chris Ulsh’s drumming. Lastly, Riley Gale’s growling vocals perfectly fuels Power Trip’s energy and emotion in every song. Power Trip played for about forty five minutes and ripped through all of their hits from both their albums Manifest Decimation and Nightmare Logic.
I’m already counting down the days until Power Trip comes back to the Bay Area. I love that thrash metal is alive and well with so many great bands, including Power Trip. Back in April, Power Trip released a compilation album called “Opening Fire: 2008-2014” which features all their songs not included on their first two albums. Thank you Power Trip for the fun show.
Here are some photos Baby Huey took from Power Trip’s set:
Here are some videos Baby Huey filmed from Power Trip’s set:
Follow Power Trip here.
