Knocked Loose Shows Blinding Faith To Houston!

Knocked Loose headlined a show at White Oak Music Hall in Houston, Tx on May 7th, 2023 with support from Show Me the Body, Loathe, and Speed on their headlining tour! Knocked Loose is touring in support of their third full-length studio album, “You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To“.

Knocked Loose is an American hardcore punk band originating from Oldham County, Kentucky and was formed in 2013. Their current lineup consists of lead vocalist Bryan Garris, lead guitarist/vocalist Isaac Hale, rhythm guitarist/backing vocalist Nicko Calderon, bassist Kevin Otten, and drummer Kevin “Pacsun” Kline.

Per a press release, the album’s title came from a conversation that frontman Bryan Garris had with a woman who was sitting next to him on a plane. When he admitted that he was finding it particularly difficult to manage his “borderline phobia” of flying, she told him, “You won’t go before you’re supposed to.“

Garris reflects:

“She didn’t realize it, but she took me out of my fear and she put my mind in a different place.”

Knocked Loose’s lead single off their latest release, ‘Blinding Faith’, serves as a “scathing indictment of religious groupthink” and “the hypocrisy that can sometimes accompany an outwardly pious life”.

Hale stated:

“It was just hilarious how many people showed up to church that I knew were rude, horrible, selfish people. They knew that it made them seem like a better person — or if they said the words, it would redeem them of any negative quality just because they showed face.”

“On this album, we go the fastest we’ve ever gone; we go the scariest we’ve ever gone. We also go the catchiest and the most melodic that we’ve ever gone, and that’s the point. Instead of branching off into a specific direction, we want to encompass ALL directions.”

Their latest album cover displays a crucifix constructed out of lights. For their stage design they included the crucifix on stage in the background, evoking a sense of being in church listening to Bryan’s sermon.

The hardcore icons wasted no time showing off their latest hit single, ‘Blinding Faith‘. It was the first song performed on their relentless sixteen song setlist. “Bend the knee, child of God” blare axe wielders Calderon and Hale, before Garris releases a deep gurgling gutteral growl!

Immediately following, Garris commands the crowd’s attention with ‘Mistakes Like Fractures‘. Shouting “God only knows that it’s all stuck in my head“, this is a perfect intro into the next song ‘God Knows‘.

They worked through most of their discography, excluding ‘Pop Culture‘. This must have been a difficult decision, considering how great that EP truly is. Not only was this their debut release, it features their classic fan favorite ‘All My Friends‘. This song always goes over really well with the crowd.

A few songs later ‘Belleville’ is performed, with a surge of bodies flooding over the barricade and the pit going rampant after the colossal breakdown featured in this song. The iconic drone of the opening riffs of ‘Deadringer‘ starts to play, with Garris screaming “Yeah” rallying the crowd’s energy to build upon the inevitable “watch me motherfucker“. At this point there’s not a still body in the room!

They return to their latest EP, ‘A Tear In the Fabric of Life‘, for a few songs and also play one last track off ‘A Different Shade of Blue‘ before the most highly anticipated segment of the evening.

Garris dedicates “Billy No Mates” to the late great Houston venue:

“This song goes out to Walters! Rest in peace.”

“Point the finger, reject the blame, I call out for help, but I’ll never call your fucking name, ANGUISH!” This gut wrenching track was the perfect build up for what was to follow. Arguably their most popular hit, ‘Counting Worms‘, had the audience let out a terrifying “ARF ARF“. As prepared as you thought you were for that moment, you weren’t quite ready. I can almost guarantee that. The sheer level of intensity this band brings is truly something to behold.

After reaching the climax of the evening it wasn’t quite over yet. The band had three more songs to perform, two of which were the ‘Upon Loss Singles‘. Nothing like a good “Knocked Loose Motherfucker” to conclude the evening!