For those that make the unfounded claim that punk is dead and has lost its edge, introducing Hong Kong Fuck You. The Tijuana-based outfit lead by frontman and chaos architect Christian Hell has been making noise for the better part of the last decade, though the band has really gained it's footing in the post-pandemic era. 

A molotov-like concoction of grind, noise and industrial-tinged hardcore, the low-end heavy configuration anchored by explosive percussion and three bass guitars has cultivated a cult of fervent, passionate believers, all quick to take up the HKFY flag. This was evident as the band conducted their live ritual inside the Garden Room of the Riverside Municipal Auditorium, turning the close confines of the space into a sweaty adrenaline dump of pure spectacle. 

From the opening onslaught of "I Deserve This" to the almost danceable stomp of "The Kids Will Get Their Revenge!" to the marathon pummel of "Third World Fighting Music" the performance room transformed into a sauna fueled by the mayhem exchanging from the stage to the showroom floor. Each entry on the setlist leveled up the bedlam, with the band feeding off the fans volatility, only to return the favor with even more intensity to start the next track. 

Presiding over the pandemonium, Christian Hell proved to be a true conductor of chaos and testament to the lineage and fuck all of punk. Mixing it up amongst the fans, smashing beer cans and using all of the square footage of the stage and then some, this was his pulpit and this was his congregation. 

Coming away from a night that featured a running list of emerging punk units in Scalp, Knuckle Sandwich, Nightmare Visions and Buff, it was clear Hong Kong Fuck You are not only a vital band, but proof positive that punk will never lose it's punch so long as it is done right.

See the gallery of images below from photographer Maurice Nunez. 

HONG KONG FUCK YOU

SCALP