Have that.https://t.co/ldY1kcuZys pic.twitter.com/LOAtMfuOTU

— HECK (@abandcalledHECK) September 2, 2022

HECK’s history has been no stranger to publicity in the few years they were in the public eye. In 2015, the group were sued by Japanese film company Toho over their original band name, “Baby Godzilla”. Obviously, it’s hard to argue the case when they own the copyright to a character literally called “Baby Godzilla” (or Godzilla Junior in a few places, but the point remains the same) so they became HECK to avoid the lawsuit causing any real damage. Once the change settled, they released their debut LP Instructions. The album was particularly reminiscent of early Dillinger Escape Plan, or even some more grindcore-esque names like Napalm Death. But the timeline didn’t extend much farther than that. The split came the following year, and no one really knows why.

The band’s return this time around seems to have come with even less chatter than the previous. “It means the damn world that so many of you are still here for this band. Thank you for your patience. Smashing will resume this Friday. Big love to one and all.” Reads the band’s returning statement for 2000 Trees. After 5 years off, the wordless surprise return goes to show that some things aren’t really meant to change. No answers. All we can do at this point is hope that some more information comes to light. Why did they go? Why are they back? Does this mean there’s new music? Will we hear it? We may never know.

We may never go beyond what we have here. Odd one-off shows popping up every now and then. The prospect of new music seems to have been squashed after nothing new was even alluded to at the previous show. Maybe things will change.

This year edition of the 2000Trees Festival has been postponed due to ongoing Covid-19 issues as bands from outside the UK were not able to travel. Around 20 headliners bands couldn’t play this year including Jimmy Eats World & Thrice, Young Guns and The Get Up Kids.

At the time the organisers said: “we have been forced to take the absolutely heart-breaking decision to postpone 2000trees to July 6th-10th 2022. Up until a week ago we were still furiously working behind the scenes to try make the festival happen. We really wanted (& needed) a party just as much as you this year. But after losing these bands, it’s clear that we are unable to give you the award-winning Trees experience that you know and love this year”. 

At the end of August 2000trees joined forces with ArcTanGent and put up a special replacement event in Bristol. They run live gigs for 2 days and both announced come back for next year festivals edition.

As both festivals have been cancelled this year, it was a great initiative for music hungry fans. “As you know we’re all super gutted that both ATG and our sister festival, 2000trees, can’t go ahead this summer. Last year we couldn’t all meet face to face so we put on our very first virtual festival – three days of awesome music recorded in lockdown by some of our favourite bands… But can watching bands on your laptop or phone really keep you going for another summer??? Na us neither” – said the statement.

The great news is the 2000Trees organisers keep optimistic for next year addition and shared news on Twitter with a caption: “IDLES, Jimmy Eat World, Thrice, and so many more are joining us at 2000trees 2022 for our biggest year yet!!“.

IDLES, Jimmy Eat World, Thrice, and so many more are joining us at 2000trees 2022 for our biggest year yet!!

Tickets: https://t.co/daQDPtzt8S pic.twitter.com/14PcYEoxFH

— 2000trees Festival (@2000trees) October 17, 2021

Among the above, the show will guest The Amazons, Dinosaur Pile Up, Knocked Loose, The Get Up Kids, Dream State, Laura Jane Grace, Anti-Flag, Lonely the Brave, Stick To Your Guns, Deez Nuts, No Devotion and Dragged Under, all already confirmed. 

As per the festival page, this year’s tickets are all valid for next year edition. “As a small, independent business that’s been hit extremely hard by the pandemic, we really need as many people as possible to roll their tickets to next year, just so we can keep paying our staff and secure the long-term survival of 2000trees” – plead the festival organisers. That way you will get next year festival ticket at the 2019 price. You can click here and roll your ticket. If you don’t have your ticket yet, head over here, as they are nearly sold out.