Drowning Pool, Spineshank and Hed PE – Rock City, Nottingham – 19th November 2025
The nostalgia is strong tonight, with all three bands on the bill having decades of experience behind them, you could almost call it a triple threat of headliners packed into one. But alas, there has to be an opener.
Early doors means when we arrive, Hed PE are already making their way through their set, with ‘Killing Time’ filling the room. The funky blend of metal, punk and reggae, along with vocalist Jared Gomes unique voice, sets Hed PE apart from the crowd. ‘This next song goes out to my next door neighbour who always asks to turn that fucking music down’ Gomes quips, before kicking into ‘Raise Hell’. The whole room joining in with the ‘bitch get the fuck out!’ hooks. A relaxing reggae interlude turns into a cover of The Wailers ‘Get Up, Stand Up’, before kicking into ‘Lets Ride’. Throughout the set the energy in the room has been palpable, but during set closer ‘Renegade’ the whole of the middle of the floor is mosh pit, which is split before exploding on the crescendo ‘if you push me I’ll push you right back’.
Next up, Spineshank take to the stage opening with ‘Synthetic’. From the get go, the crowd surfers are flowing, with vocalist Jonny Santos making it his mission to fist bump every single one. While Hed PE are regulars over these shores (Gomes joked about ‘Nottingham November’ during their set, stating they seem to be here every year in November) it has been 22 years since Spineshank last graced us with their presence, so the audience are taking full advantage. ‘We didn’t think people would give a fuck about Spineshank anymore’ Santos quips, the roar from the crowd showing just how wrong that statement is. This tour celebrates 25 years of the album Height of Callousness, which is played in full (well, almost – ‘Malnutrition‘ was at the top of the setlist, but didn’t make the cut) Refreshingly, the tracklist isn’t played in order, so it’s a bit of a surprise when each song will pop up.
Joining original band members are guitarists Jason Hager (co-founder of Chimaira) and Tommy Decker Jr. ‘I made him!’ drummer Tommy Decker Sr. proudly quips when he’s introduced. ‘He was here last time we played, but he was only yay high’ Santos elaborates. Spineshank thanks the other bands on the bill, and the venue staff, before kicking into ‘New Disease’, the rowdy crowd getting even wilder. After Height of Callouseness, comes a few choice cuts off Self-Destructive Pattern, including ‘Smothered’ and ‘Beginning of the End’. The band finish the mighty set with ‘Dead to Me’.
Last but not least, Drowning Pool open with ‘Sinner’. The rocky riffs and singable lyrics are out in full force. Songs like ‘Step Up’ and ‘Let the Sin Begin’ are catchy as hell, but Drowning Pool aren’t afraid to slow it down with the wonderful ‘37 Stitches’. Drummer Mike Luce gets the crowd hyped back up ‘you guys feeling alive in here right Nottingham?’ to a round of cheers. The smoky ambience giving room for humour as he continues ‘it’s the drummer talking to you, I don’t know if you can see me, I can’t see you but I can feel you sweaty loud motherfuckers! – oh shit we got an upstairs too!’ The second cover of the night – ‘Rebel Yell’ by Billy Idol – gets the room jumping and shouting ‘more, more, more’.
‘This is my favourite fucking part’ vocalist Ryan McCombs says, before getting the crowd to light up the place with lighters and phones. As soon as ‘Tear Away’ starts, the singing from the room is almost overpowering McCombs own voice. There’s only one way to top this, the song everyone in the room has been waiting for, which, of course, is left till the end of the night. Leave the people wanting and they will erupt with one last burst of energy…let the bodies hit the flooooooor. ‘Bodies’ isn’t just a song, it’s part of the zeitgeist now. With McCombs stood on the barrier, mic stand leaning into the crowd, Santos and Gomes can’t help but join in, both heading to the stage to scream those iconic lyrics with the crowd.
Words and Photos by Carrie-Anne Pollard
