Winnipeg's Comeback Kid Celebrates 20 Years of Wake The Dead.

Written by: Justin Fisher

Photos by: Quinn Hall

Date: March 31, 2025

With their seminal album Wake The Dead celebrating its 20th anniversary and the band itself marking an impressive 25 years, Winnipeg hardcore legends Comeback Kid kicked off their album anniversary tour with two of the most unforgettable shows of their career. Joined by friends like Winnipeg’s Meantime and Toronto punk heavyweights Cancer Bats, both nights were an explosive showcase of raw intensity, crushing volume, and unrelenting energy from every band involved.

However, the crowd etiquette varied drastically between the two venues. At Sidestage, the energy was relentless. Stage divers and two-steppers went all out in the tight, packed space. In contrast, the Burton Cummings Theatre provided a much different experience. A barrier, roaming security guards, and a photographer pit made stage diving nearly impossible and actively discouraged. The pit itself was notably less chaotic, as the densely packed floor left little room for movement.

Overall, Sidestage proved to be the better venue of the weekend for crowd surfers and moshers. The absence of a barrier allowed for more freedom, and the staff seemed well-prepared for the chaos. In contrast, the Burton Cummings Theatre’s setup, with its barrier and security presence, created a more restrained atmosphere, limiting the intensity of the pit.

Melodic hardcore act Pink Snot kicked off the night at the Burton Cummings Theatre with an impassioned performance, driven by vocalist and guitarist Katie McNorgan’s raspy delivery and the band’s ability to blend speed with melody. Drawing influence from bands like Ignite, Jughead’s Revenge, and Lagwagon, their set was packed with politically charged tracks, many of which appear on their latest album, Dead Messenger.

Pink Snot is set to play a sold-out show alongside Orange County punk legends Death by Stereo and Ignite on March 13th, with an even busier year ahead as more events continue to roll in. Fans of Strung Out, Strike Anywhere, and the aforementioned bands will find plenty to love in Pink Snot’s relentless, high-energy sound.

On the first night, Meantime played cuts from their debut full-length, Living In The Meantime, and a cover of a track by 1980s hardcore punk band Bad Brains. This set, minus the Bad Brains cover, stayed the same for their energy-filled performance at The Burt the next night.

During night two, vocalist Jessee Kowalski exclaimed that they were "Meantime from St. James," telling stories about the first time he ever heard Comeback Kid, and made sure the audience knew who they were and that they were here to stay. They impressed the crowd with Jessee jumping energetically on both stages while Meantime played riffs inspired by their rocker attitudes. They had several people in a pile-up at The Burt, when Jessee jumped off stage to shout the final chorus to the title track of Living in the Meantime with friends and fans.

Meantime is for fans of local and Canadian hardcore punk, as well as Turnstile and Have Heart

Chuck Coles played a half-hour set at Sidestage, filled with originals and acoustic renditions of classic punk songs - such as Bad Religion's Sorrow. Chuck has a ton of touring experience, having opened for acts such as Frank Turner, and proved that you can make punk mature just by adding a more intimate, acoustic twist to it while also telling stories and having a few laughs.

Midway into the set, Chuck invited Jenna Priestner (Mobina Galore, Landlocked, co-owner of Sidestage) to play her song on guitar. While initially nervous, she quickly got comfortable and had her friends in the audience smiling. Chuck ended the set with a few more originals, leaving the crowd wanting more before the main act went on.

Chuck Coles is for fans of Bad Religion, Rancid, Against Me!, Chris Cresswell and Hot Water Music

Memphis metalcore titans Orthodox took the stage at The Burt soon after Meantime wrapped up, delivering a crushing set that solidified their status as one of the leading bands in straight-edge brutal/metalcore. Standing alongside acts like XWeaponX and No Cure, Orthodox brings a distinct edge to the genre, trading the traditional straight-edge hardcore sound for a heavier, Poison The Well-inspired metallic approach, infused with their own modern twist.

Their setlist featured fan favorites like Cave In and Head on a Spike from their 2022 release, along with fresh material, including their latest single Commit to Consequence. A standout moment came when Comeback Kid’s Andrew Neufeld stormed the stage to lend his vocals for a verse, igniting the crowd with even more energy.

With tour experience alongside bands like Kaonashi and Boundaries, Orthodox knew exactly how to get the crowd moving. Vocalist Adam Easterling commanded the stage, dancing and grooving frenetically to the crushing riffs of guitarists Austin Evans and Ben Touchberry.

This marked the band’s second time in Winnipeg, the first being their 2019 opening slot for Kublai Khan TX, but it’s safe to say it won’t be their last.

Orthodox is for fans of Boundaries, Varials, Knocked Loose, xStreet Justicex, Mugshot, God Complex and any of the bands mentioned above.

Toronto’s Cancer Bats delivered a masterclass in groove-laden hardcore, a stark contrast to the Emo Night event that frontman Liam Cormier had DJ’d the night before. With a fresh guitarist in the lineup, the band sounded sharper than ever, and Cormier’s vocals were particularly raw and relentless.

Drummer Mike Peters, a Winnipeg native, attacked his kit with the intensity of a swarm of bees, while bassist Jaye Schwarzer laid down thunderous, emotionally charged bass lines. Tracks like Winterpeg and Hail Destroyer reminded everyone why Cancer Bats are revered—they specialize in hard-hitting rockers that land like a punch to the face and gut.

As one of Canada’s most essential hardcore-influenced bands, their presence at The Burt was undeniable. From the opening notes of Gatekeeper, the crowd erupted, keeping the energy at a fever pitch through every crushing breakdown and anthemic chorus.

Cancer Bats is for fans of bands such as Every Time I Die, The Holly Springs Disaster and Better Lovers.

Comeback Kid delivered the same electrifying set on both nights, celebrating Wake The Dead and their storied career. The band tore through Wake The Dead in full playing in order, except for the title track, which was saved for a high-energy encore. They also threw in fan-favorite cuts from across their discography, including Absolute and Heavy Steps.

Frontman Andrew Neufeld commanded the stage with raw, unrelenting vocal power, seamlessly leading the band while engaging the crowd. During False Idols Fall, he stepped onto the barrier, feeding off the energy of fans who shouted every word back in an intense call-and-response moment, proving once again why Comeback Kid remains a force in hardcore.

Original Comeback Kid vocalist Scott Wade made a special appearance during the Saturday performance, stepping up to sing Partners In Crime and Talk Is Cheap. In a full-circle moment, Andrew Neufeld switched to guitar, his original role before taking over as lead vocalist.

Scott’s return felt seamless, as he dove back into the performance with the same energy as ever. He even jumped down onto the barrier, joining the fans in the packed floor section, screaming the lyrics alongside them in an unforgettable moment that showed he never truly left the band.

Comeback Kid's stage setup for their Saturday show was simple yet striking, featuring the new REVVISION line of cabs, a collaboration between July Talk’s Peter Dreiminais and Winnipeg-based REVV Amplification. Instead of traditional guitar amps, the back of the stage showcased cabs with digital screens, displaying custom graphics designed specifically for the Wake The Dead tour.

As the band continues their journey through the Midwest and heads toward the West Coast in the coming weeks, they'll be joined by guests like Defeater and BIG ASS TRUCK, promising even more intense performances along the way.

Comeback Kid is for fans of Casey Jones, Norma Jean, Misery Signals and Evergreen Terrace.

Wake The Dead is one of Canada's most important punk albums, and celebrating with two of Comeback Kid's most memorable shows is an honour for all parties involved. This band means a lot to Winnipeg, and seeing the community get together to hear great metalcore and hardcore from many different scenes is amazing.

"From Vancouver, from Toronto, from Winnipeg, we are Comeback Kid"

-Andrew Neufeld, vocalist of Comeback