Neck Deep’s Truman show proved they’re more than ‘generic pop punk’

February 12, 2024

Haley Mullenix,

Neck Deep. // photo by Haley Mullenix

A “Sold out AF” show at The Truman here in Kansas City is of course always a great time, but make it a “Sold out AF pop-punk show” and now we’re talking! With a lineup of bands who traveled thousands of miles to be here, there was a TON of wild energy buzzing in the room.

Joining Neck Deep on this U.S run are Higher Power, Bearings, and Drain. This tour supports Neck Deep’s self titled, fifth and latest album which came out this past January and will take them around the U.S before they head to Japan and then home to Europe later in the year!

Higher Power. // photo by Haley Mullenix

First to the stage was Higher Power, a punk band from West Yorkshire. Lead vocalist Jimmy Wizard came bounding on stage with a grin sporting a Mighty Mighty Bosstones T-shirt looking awfully mischievous. The latest single by the band, “Absolute Bloom ” came out just this month, and is accompanied by a music video featuring a “definitely real medical procedure” on a wide awake Jimmy. The band’s Spotify bio reads, “Higher Power is for the freaks, by the freaks!” so if you’re looking for the weird and the wonderful Higher Power might have just the thing for you.

Bearings. // photo by Haley Mullenix

Next up was Bearings, they took the stage with some moody lighting, heavy riffs and warmed the crowd up even more as they got everyone jumping and opening the pit. In an interview with their label, lead singer Dougie Cousins described their latest album The Best Part About Being Human released last year as less of an invite to invoke philosophical discussion and more so a reason to just have a good time.

Drain. // phot by Haley Mullenix

When Drain took the stage, I knew we were in for some fun as the house decided to leave the lights on. Lead vocalist Sammy Ciaramitaro nearly required the crowd to MOVE and before you knew it and not without a quick “Watch your heads!” from security, people were crowd surfing from all directions. Sammy even hopped down to the barricade to share the mic with some fans and do a bit of crowd surfing himself. It was definitely the most fun I have had in the photo pit, Drain had me wishing I was in there crowd surfing too!

Finally, Neck Deep made their way to the stage. Set up with cartoon looking brick risers, and bubble letters to match the latest album, the stage felt like an episode of an old Cartoon Network show in the best way possible. The crowd was of course dripping with vans and beanies galore but there were also kids riding on their parents shoulders headbanging and air drumming which was honestly the coolest thing. As the third song, “Kali Ma” came around the lights went red, and each member raised an open palm to the sky. The crowd did it back in unison and erupted into a rumble as they jumped and shoved around. It was obvious in each act how much they thoroughly enjoyed being on stage and the energy was that of which they’d give to a crowd much bigger than could fit at The Truman. If you had the chance to see them at this show I hope you’re at home with a neck pillow taking it easy, so you can make it to the next one!

Neck Deep