Spike Fuck Befriends Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California - April 17, 2026
After a few year hiatus, Spike Fuck returned to performing in 2024 within Australian roots. This past weekend, Spike Fuck made his rounds in Los Angeles with an American backing band. I got the opportunity to witness Spike Fuck introduce himself at the Permanent Record Roadhouse in Cypress Park, where the streets are paved with the history of Los Angeles. Once a hub for metal and punk bands, known as Cafe NELA, Permanent Record Roadhouse now stands as a record shop and bar for live shows. The dimly, red lit atmosphere and checkered floors invite an intimate feel yet free space for people to enjoy a good show and browse a vinyl collection stretching from Diana Ross to the likes of Bad Brains.
A slight buzz hugged me tight amidst the night breeze that carried the sound of “Kind Hearts” trailing from the venue. Upon entering, not a soul noticed nor cared about any presence but Spike Fuck’s as he played. Whether it was the beer or the lighting, the tinsel-walled stage shining onto Spike Fuck felt like a sort of hazy dream and an ideal way to hear these blunt yet burning songs live. The crowd cozied up enough to fill about half of the bar’s space and slowly trickled out as Spike Fuck finished his early show set. I followed the funnel of people into the outside patio where enough light revealed the flannel shirts, Levi’s, and button-up denim jackets.
After a few more cigarettes and free beers, Spike Fuck summoned the crowd to their late show set with the sounds of “Guts” from the The Smackwave EP released in 2019. A sold out show and a full bar for the second show hit with a kind of hypnosis effect. The distorted guitar, synth piano and speak-singing signature of Spike Fuck rang through. He and the band then brought in the quintessential 80s ‘straya sound with “Junkie Logic”. The staccato drum beat and cheery, chant like tone contrasted with their lyrics:
“I got one / I got two / I lost three years my life to constant drug use / I got one / I got two / Now I can’t even get high but hey that’s constant drug use!”
Spike Fuck has a way of portraying raw, aching and heartbreaking themes without singing you to sleep. More of a trance state that transcends someone beyond their high or buzz of choice.
In “Tomorrow We Get Healthy”, you can feel the tension, as if he was struggling to get the words out, emphasizing the meaning of the lyrics: “If I could start again tomorrow / You know I'd keep myself pristine / No dirtiness or sorrow / Take the compliments in between / But it's like / You know / When you just can't let go / Bitterly / This place behind / You take control / Took control / Almost a statement trying to become confident and settled again whilst battling old habits and the fragility of healing.”
With cheers and beers raised to the ceiling, he then said his first words to the crowd, “I wanna be all by myself.” A clean transition into an unreleased song called “All By Myself” in an upcoming record “Evidence” being released later this year. A single from July 2019, “Body by Crystal” then followed within the set.
As a final thank you and goodbye, Spike Fuck and the band ended the set with “Kind Hearts”. A number #1 on his discography and well known collaboration with The Slingers, also Australian natives. It brought up the mood of the room and reminded us to kiss each other, take another sip and enjoy the battles and purity of our humanity.
The performance by Spike Fuck felt less like a traditional concert and more like being pulled into the unraveling of someone else’s messy, confrontational, and relatable chaos. Spike Fuck’s sound, rooted in the rawness of Guts, turns vulnerability into noise and noise into something so human. It felt heavy yet relieving to be in that room and watching Spike Fick befriend our home of Los Angeles. Spike Fuck, you’re welcome back anytime.
Photos: Dylan Marriott (@video.loss)