If you were in downtown Hilo Saturday night (May 11, 2024), you may have noticed a style contrast to the sea of floral patterns that are typically worn. Spiked hair, chains, black outfits and prom gowns flooded the Hilo Town Market for the Hilo Punk Prom headlined by El Sancho and featuring Big Island bands including Kauz of Affliction, and a crop of the next generations of punk/metal bands on the Island with Two Years Apart, STD, Hellion and the organizer for the punk prom Nancy Boy.
MoshPlayLive (MPL) first saw Two Years Apart shortly after arriving on the Big Island at Kukuau Studio as part of the School of Rock. We were blown away then by the drummer who nailed the drum roll during ‘Tom Sawyer,’ and did again this time. The Brothers/Sisters combo continue to hone their skills ending their set with their original song ‘Instigator’.
Self-labeled as ‘Hawaii’s worst band’ STD (Sentient Thrash Dummies) continued to work the energetic crowd for their set, when not performing the vocalist, drummer and guitarist could be found dancing around the pit.
It’s rare for MPL to be spellbound by a duo, Turtle and Levi aka Hellion threw down some old school heavy metal tunes including Black Sabbath and a killer rendition of Sepultura’s ‘Refuse/Resist’, making this writer jump in the pit and start running circles.
Big Island stalwarts Kauz of Affliction brought their punk rock stylings to the party, if you haven’t seen MPL’s video of the pit during Kauz of Affliction’s set on our Instagram @moshplaylive, check it out and you can see for yourself how much the crowd enjoyed them. MPL will be sitting down with Kauz of Affliction and speaking with them soon, so keep an eye out for that on our website in the coming month.
Prom headliner Nancy Boy know how to play to the crowd and lead singer/screamer made the crowd sit prior to the performance and then called for them to rise. The dancing mass launched upward and outwards and thrashing in a circle to create a punk prom vortex.
Headliner El Sancho came onstage and put on a blistering set. These Big Island punk favorites have toured with punk legends DOA and Agent Orange and it was easy to see why. The three piece band sounded loud, tight and fast sending the moshers home hot, sweaty and perhaps a little bit bruised.
The warehouse at the Hilo Town Market provided that perfect feel for a punk show and was a great venue for Punk Prom. There was a problem with the sound system that needed to be addressed during the first few acts, but was remedied. Being indoors it does get a little warm, but it really doesn’t matter does it? The Big Island’s Punk/Metal scene is getting louder and stronger and tonight showed it. Next time will you join us in the pit?
Peace Love Mosh Pits
Graham
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