Members of Power Trip reunited onstage for the first time since the passing of frontman Riley Gale on Friday (December 1st) at the Mohawk in Austin, Texas. The evening featured a surprise five-song set of Power Trip songs by the remaining members of the band, but the tribute has come under criticism from Gale’s family and the Riley Gale Foundation.
The Mohawk show was billed as headlining concert for Texas thrashers Fugitive, a band featuring Power Trip guitarist Blake Ibanez and Scourge vocalist Seth Gilmore. The show poster promised a “special guest,” which ended up being the unannounced reunion, with Power Trip members Nick Stewart (guitar), Chris Whetzel (bass), and Chris Ulsh (drums) joining Ibanez and Gilmore (who handled vocals) onstage. Together, they played five Power Trip songs: “Soul Sacrifice,” “Executioner’s Tax (Swing of the Axe),” “Hornet’s Nest,” “Manifest Decimation,” and “Crucifixation.”
The next day (December 2nd), the Riley Gale Foundation issued a statement slamming the reunion and claiming that Gale’s family and the foundation were not consulted about the tribute set or invited to the Mohawk concert.
The statement read [via Lambgoat]:
The Riley Gale Memorial Foundation & Gale family are aware of the event that took place at Mohawk in Austin, TX on December 1*, 2023. It caught us entirely by surprise.
At no point in the planning or lead up to that moment was anyone in the Gale family consulted, or even invited.
We were not asked our thoughts or feelings about it taking place.
If we were, we would have liked to discuss who would fill in on vocals, since Riley had laid out very specitic requests for this exact scenario.
We would have requested it take place in Dallas, where Riley and Power Trip were born, and where Riley was instrumental in building up the Dallas hardcore and metal community before even setting foot on stage as a performer.
We would have liked it to be a surprise and wonderful addition to the Riley Gale & Friends Day concert, the main fundraising event for the Riley Gale Memorial Foundation, a 501(c)(3) that supports the causes Riley cared about as well as aiding up-and-coming bands through the Riley Gale Band Touring Grant.
Rileys family would have liked the opportunity to show our appreciation to you, Riley’s fans who continue to support him by listening and buying albums because we know how much his lyrics and music meant to his fans.
As Blake said on stage at Mohawk, they owe a lot to Riley, and the Gale family agrees wholeheartedly.
Riley’s family was not included, and that’s unfortunate, but for those among you who love Riley and what he stood for, you can show your love by buying albums directly from southern Lord Records and becoming a part of the Riley Gale Memorial Foundation at the link below.
Keep an eye out for our announcement of Riley and Friends Vol. 3 early next year–it will feature bands that Riley knew and loved along with hundreds (hopefully thousands) of Riley’s fans and family.
“Birth. Life. Death. Repeat. The goal is to manifest higher than before.”
REST IN POWER.
http://www.rileygale.org”
Gale tragically passed away in 2020 at the age of 34. At the time, his family asked for donations to be sent to Dallas Hope Charities — Riley’s “favorite charitable organization” — which helps provide shelter for marginalized LGBTQ+ youth in the Dallas area and reduce homelessness.
Following his death, Gale’s family launched the Riley Gale Foundation to continue supporting Dallas Hope Charities and similar organizations. In addition, the foundation also supports local, neighborhood-based animal rescues and contribute to various mental health programs.
It isn’t the first time the foundation has had a dispute with the remaining members of Power Trip. In 2021, Gale’s family sued the other members in an effort to gain some control over decisions pertaining to Power Trip going forward.