Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Venus Twins @ Purgatory

by Kevin McGann | Dec 13, 2022 | Shows

Snotty Nose Rez Kids at Purgatory (photo by Kevin McGann)

Last week, Snotty Nose Rez Kids were happy to shout, “Brooklyn’s in the house!” as they took to the stage at Purgatory for an all-out assault on the NYC venue. It was the culmination of their hard work and perseverance during the last few years that found SNRK releasing I’m Good, HBU? the week before and hitting the road to promote it. And as they told me after the gig, they were stoked to have had the chance to play to a smaller, more intimate crowd to launch the album. A trend more and more bands are taking advantage of these days. As someone who lives and shoots in NYC I’m all too happy to see it.

The duo, Darren “Young D” Metz and Quinton “Yung Trybez” Nyce, moved to Vancouver in the late 2010’s when they released the self-titled debut, but they actually originate from the Haisla Nation in Kitamaat Village, British Columbia. It’s there they met and would start writing together, fusing their styles of poetry and storytelling. That and their love of hip hop led to them to start recording together and laid the foundation of what would eventually become the Snotty Nose Rez Kids.

One of the first things I noticed when they walked in the bar that night, aside from their sick style, was Trybez’ Iron Maiden Killers shirt. When we spoke after their set, he explained that Maiden, as well as Black Sabbath, were big influences on him growing up and you could sense that when he performed. Like one of their hip hop idols, Cypress Hill (who would later infuse a more rock/metal approach in their music), their style of hip hop I can feel when listening to SRNK. Beyond that though, there is also the Beatles inspired “Damn Right” video and a Queen intro during their set, showing they have a broad range of styles and influences.

The set itself was a mix of songs from the last few years of their career. Highlights from the new album being “Trendsetter,” “I’m Good” and the aforementioned “Damn Right” which had the crowd chanting along. Other highlights included “If I Die Today” and “Sink or Swim” from 2021’s Life After, “Real Deadly” and “Peaks & Valleys” from the 2020 EP Real Deadly, and “Rebirth” and “Boujee Natives” from 2019’s Trapline. During the upbeat, raucous set both Metz and Nyce took advantage of Purgatory’s space, getting the crowd down on the floor one minute and moshing the next. But they obviously care about their fans at the same time, reminding them if someone falls in the pit you pick them up, and emphasizing self-love and taking care of yourself. These are two guys who appreciate where they’re headed and the people who are helping them get there.

Opening the night was Brooklyn’s favorite “noise rock noise” band and identical twins, Venus Twins. Originally from Denton, TX the brothers, Jake and Matt Derting, have been a regular fixture on the NYC scene for a while now. I caught my first show at the beginning of 2022 and was blown away that this drum ‘n bass duo was creating as much sound as they were. I also quickly learned that night that you have to keep up with them if you’re going to try and get a shot. Jake is just a blur of motion as he destroys his kit, while Matt can be found on his mic, on the floor, in the crowd or climbing a wall. Wednesday’s show was no exception as he took to the floor, then up the stairs to Purgatory’s loft, hanging off the rail all while he riffed. All the while, Metz and Nyce looked on smiling and realizing what a great fucking pairing it was with their two bands. Anyone in the NYC area on December 18th would be wise to grab a ticket to the Twin’s next show at The Sultan Room to experience the mayhem for themselves.