Live Review: F**ked Up @ Scala

by | Jun 21, 2014

Fucked Up @ Scala (Kim Ford)

Fucked Up @ Scala (Kim Ford)

Fucked Up played the Scala tonight to showcase Glass Boys, their fourth studio album and the follow-up to the critically acclaimed 2011 epic, David Comes To Life.

Main support came from trendy Brooklyn punks Cerebral Ballzy, who played a short sharp set of thrashing hardcore punk songs about drinking and skateboarding. What’s not to like?

Fucked Up @ Scala (Kim Ford)

Cerebral Balzy @ Scala (Kim Ford)

Playing witness to a Fucked Up show is always something very special. Larger than life frontman, Damian Abraham (AKA Pink Eyes), is utterly compelling. Sweaty and topless, he spends the entirety of the show stage-diving and ploughing his way through the crowd, while the triple-guitar battalion of Mike Haliechuck, Ben Cook, and Josh Zucker provide a thick wall of ferocious melodies and world-crushing riffs behind him on stage.

Fucked Up @ Scala (Kim Ford)

Fucked Up @ Scala (Kim Ford)

The show begins tonight with the blazing new album opener, Echo Boomer. Within seconds, Abraham dives head first into the crowd. With a goofy grin, he fools around, waving his hands in the air and playfully wearing a deflated beach ball on his head for the remainder of the song.

Fucked Up @ Scala (Kim Ford)

Fucked Up @ Scala (Kim Ford)

The Canadian sextet storm through a blistering set of old gems – Baiting The Public, David Comes To Life, Queen Of Hearts and Son The Father – as well as new songs – Paper House and Sun Glass. The new songs carry echoes of Dinosaur Jr. and Husker Du, with the anthemic charge and guttural intensity of Negative Approach. Abraham’s chaotic performance is soaked in 80’s hardcore, with a pinch of GG Allin’s unpredictable madness and self-inflicted forehead injuries. Abraham even pauses mid-song to pose for photographs whilst submerged within the crowd and, at one point, he’s up by the sound desk, wearing a plastic pint cup he smashed into his head, as a hat. He hugs and kisses fans as if they were old friends. An infectious energy the audience relish.

Fucked Up @ Scala (Kim Ford)

Fucked Up @ Scala (Kim Ford)

Despite looking more of a light-weight than heavy-weight these days, Abraham’s performance still packs a weighty punch. On his weight loss he explains, “I lost weight, but I swear to God it wasn’t on purpose. A side-effect of the weed. I was beautiful before I lost the weight!” Announcing, “This song is for anyone who’s ever been called fat and ugly,” he charges into old favourite I Hate Summer, a poignant song about hiding physical insecurities behind layers of clothing, summer being a time when there is no place to hide.

Fucked Up @ Scala (Kim Ford)

Fucked Up @ Scala (Kim Ford)

The full-throttle of Police and the soaring rock melodies of Black Albino Bones cause a riotous reaction from the crowd. Abraham’s bellowing growl exposes the beating heart of every song with lashings of rage and desperation while bassist, Sandy Miranda’s softer backing vocals provide a fragile contrast. The crowd erupt for The Other Shoe. Howling along to the chorus ,’Dying on the inside, Dying on the inside,’ crowd surfers pour over the barrier. Gut -wrenching lyrics of love, loss and redemption send spine-tingling goosebumps as the tempo builds; ‘Loved the book but I hate the end, Gained a lover but I lost a friend. Straight to worst, from the best. Nothing fills that hole in my chest. It can’t be comfortable when the whole thing’s about to fall.’

Fucked Up @ Scala (Kim Ford)

Fucked Up @ Scala (Kim Ford)

What makes Fucked Up so special is that their music is always pushing forward whilst still looking back. Growing old gracefully, they haven’t forgotten their hardcore punk roots. They push the boundaries of this genre through progression and experimentation with every new album. Active for over a decade, they have consistently continued to grow and add layers to their sound, whilst still retaining that element of aggression and punk rock fury.

Fucked Up @ Scala (Kim Ford)

Fucked Up @ Scala (Kim Ford)

The show comes to a close with stomping hardcore anthem, Crusades, from their 2006 debut album, Hidden World. Abraham thanks everyone for coming, taking time to shake hands with the security for their valiant effort supervising tonight’s madness and mayhem.

Fucked Up @ Scala (Kim Ford)

Fucked Up @ Scala (Kim Ford)

Fucked Up may be flying high right now, but their feet are firmly on the ground. The band stay behind long after the show to chat, sign records and pose for photographs. Abraham even offers hugs and words of wisdom on his “two favourite things in the world” – hardcore punk and wrestling. Heartfelt and humble, he is genuinely excited about meeting the people who love his band. There are no rock star egos here.

A triumphant and heart-warming show from a truly sincere band who really give a damn about their fans and are clearly having a ridiculous amount of fun being Fucked Up.

Fucked Up @ The Scala 18th June 2014 Photography and Review by Kim Ford

Matt Cameron of Pearl Jam @ BST Hyde Park 2022 (Simon Reed)

Matt Cameron Departs Pearl Jam After 27 Years Amidst Wave Of Drummer Changes In Rock

After nearly three decades behind the kit, Matt Cameron has announced his departure from Pearl Jam. The legendary drummer, 62, shared the news via social media on 7th July, marking the end of a 27‑year tenure that began in 1998. His departure comes in the wake of the band’s Dark Matter World Tour, which concluded earlier this year.

Sydney Rose @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Sydney Rose Shines In Mid-Afternoon Magic On The Rainbow Stage At BST Hyde Park 2025

While headliner Noah Kahan was preparing to command the Great Oak Stage later in the evening, over on the Rainbow Stage a quieter but equally stirring performance was unfolding under the soft mid-afternoon sun. Georgia-born singer-songwriter Sydney Rose brought her headline tour to a moving finale, wrapping her journey in heartfelt lyrics and gently fierce vocals that captivated a festival crowd seeking intimacy amid the day’s growing energy.

Gigi Perez @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Gigi Perez Captivates London With Raw Emotion And Rising-Star Power At BST Hyde Park 2025

At just 25 years old, Gigi Perez has already carved out a reputation as one of indie-pop’s most compelling new voices — and her late afternoon set on the Great Oak Stage at BST Hyde Park proved exactly why. Supporting headliner Noah Kahan and following a string of breakout moments this year, the Hackensack, New Jersey native delivered a deeply affecting performance filled with vulnerability, power, and soaring vocals

Paris Paloma @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Paris Paloma Brings Barefoot Magic To The Rainbow Stage At BST Hyde Park 2025

In a festival rich with soaring choruses and star power, it was Paris Paloma’s barefoot grace and gothic romanticism that carved out one of the day’s most mesmerising sets. Taking to The Rainbow Stage on a golden midsummer afternoon, the Derbyshire singer-songwriter captivated her growing legion of fans with an intimate, emotionally charged performance that felt part séance, part storybook.

FINNEAS @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

FINNEAS Warms Up London With Heart And Humour Before Noah Kahan’s Headline Set At BST Hyde Park 2025

It’s not every day that a support slot feels like a moment of main event magic, but FINNEAS — the GRAMMY®-winning songwriter, producer, and solo artist — brought just that to the Great Oak Stage at BST Hyde Park on Friday. Performing ahead of headliner Noah Kahan and main support Gracie Abrams, the 27-year-old delivered a slick, emotionally charged set that balanced heartfelt sincerity with tongue-in-cheek charm.

Noah Kahan @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Northern Attitude In London: Noah Kahan, Gracie Abrams & Friends Light Up BST Hyde Park 2025

It was, as the name requires, the perfect summer's day for British Summer Time Hyde Park on Friday. The sun was...
The Raven Age @ London Stadium (Kalpesh Patel)

Heirs To The Throne? The Raven Age Blaze Their Own Trail Supporting Iron Maiden At The London Stadium

On a scorching June evening that would culminate with the almighty Iron Maiden setting London Stadium ablaze, the...
Olivia Rodrigo @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Sophia Carey)

Olivia Rodrigo Proves That London Is Her Favourite City At BST Hyde Park 2025

British Summer Time is officially underway in Hyde Park, and the unbearable heatwave will continue to remind us all of...

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing