by David Artavia

While most New Yorkers were trying to find cover from the rain Friday night, I was in the East Village to see the Disco House/Punk band Thick Voltage perform at Lit Lounge on Second Ave. The trio started out strong, hitting us with a hard piece that drew people from the back of the venue to the front of the stage. They managed to transform the somewhat intimate space into a stadium of dancing, head-banging, diehard minions. 

A lot of Thick Voltage’s music had long instrumental breaks with deep dance beats and a touch of electronic influences topped off with the singer’s punk voice. Together they worked well, creating a thrilling, unique sound like the drop on a roller coaster ride. 

Despite their boyish-like charm, their music was in your face, screaming an “I don’t give a F*CK!” kind of attitude that seeped into the audience, enlivening the energy and forcing everyone to abandon all of their inhibitions. Their vulnerable lyrics seem to be an expression of their experiences and the journey of being able to dive into life without a net. They had the room wrapped around their fingertips. 

These three dudes rocked the house and I highly recommend seeing them if they're ever in your neck of the woods.