Power Trip‘s 2019 tour supporting High on Fire was one of their last outings before the tragic passing of frontman Riley Gale.
Heavy Consequence attended one of the final dates on that tour, a late November show in Brooklyn, and got to witness the captivating power Gale possessed onstage. Less than a year later, Gale died at the young age of 34.
During our recent interview with High on Fire, we asked Matt Pike and company what it was like touring with Gale and Power Trip. Not only did they sing the highest of praises, but they also would be more than willing to play some shows with the freshly reunited Power Trip.
“Riley was a one of a kind dude — he was a Bon Scott punk rock,” said Pike, referencing the late AC/DC icon. “And I thought he was a little shit when I first met him [laughs]. I think I was calling him that, I’m all like, ‘You’re a little shit, aren’t you?’”
Pike continued, “And we ended up being pretty good friends along that tour. And yeah, [his passing] was tragic. But he was a born frontman. He was a total badass. I was blown away watching him perform.”
Bassist Jeff Matz also had fond memories of that tour with Gale and Power Trip.
“Riley was a really sweet and genuine guy, and I really enjoyed hanging out with him on that tour,” Matz said. ”It was really inspiring watching him do his thing; he had incredible command of the audience, crazy stage presence.”
When asked about Power Trip reuniting with a new vocalist and the possibility of High on Fire playing with them again, Matz voiced his full support.
“I’m glad to see that his bandmates are continuing Power Trip,” he said. “And I do hope that we have the opportunity to play with them at some point down the road.”
High on Fire are supporting their newly released album Cometh the Storm with a recently launched spring US tour. The trek continues Saturday (May 11th) in New Haven, Connecticut (get tickets here).