thick

MAIN PEAK — MONDAY 1/30 — 7:30 pm
THE LEFT — THURSDAY 2/2 — 1 PM
MAIN PEAK — FRIDAY 2/3 — 7:30 PM

Since first forming in 2014, New York trio THICK have triumphed at turning the harshest truths into wildly exhilarating punk songs. On their second album Happy Now, vocalist/guitarist Nikki Sisti, vocalist/bassist Kate Black, and vocalist/drummer Shari Page deliver their most complex and confessional work yet, exploring everything from self-sabotage and insecurity to victim-blaming and destructive relationships. Raw, irreverent, and brutally honest, Happy Now ultimately offers both joyful catharsis and much-needed instruction for living well in turbulent times. 

“Most of our songs lean toward optimism, even when there’s a lot of pain in them,” says Sisti, who refers to THICK’s output as a “living diary.” “It’s not about toxic positivity or trying to force yourself into happiness; it’s about recognizing that it’s okay to feel a whole spectrum of emotions, and then getting to the other side and really growing from your experiences.”

 

The follow-up to 5 Years Behind (a 2020 release praised by Under the Rader as a “dazzling debut album…laced with anger, humor, killer guitar riffs, and soaring punk melodies”), Happy Now finds THICK working again with producer Joel Hamilton (Iggy Pop, Juiceboxxx) and recording at Studio G Brooklyn. In a profound evolution of their previous work, the 11-track album encompasses sharper arrangements and stickier hooks and a more explosive energy—an effect often achieved through the sheer force of their three voices singing in unstoppable unison.

Kicking off with a glorious bang, Happy Now opens on the frenetic urgency of “Happiness”: a dizzying yet incisive track that sets THICK’s self-reflection to a fantastically breakneck rhythm. “That song’s about the different ways we seek validation, and how whether you look for it externally or internally, it’s never an easy process,” says Black. “In the end, it’s about being more aware of where we’re trying to find happiness.” With its brilliant back-and-forth between riotous shouting and impossibly sweet harmonies, “Loser” arrives as a thrilling celebration of hopeless imperfection, cleverly twisting its closing lyric into an unlikely mantra (“I’ll always be a loser”). “Especially in music, it’s so easy to feel like a loser and a fuck-up,” says Page. “We want people to know that it’s okay to mess up and that everyone’s a loser sometimes. It’s really the best way to live, instead of trying to be number-one all the time.” And on “Tell Myself,” Happy Now slips into a wistful mood as THICK tenderly impart insight to their younger selves. “As you get older, you sometimes look at your little-kid self and wish you could give them a hug and tell them everything’s going to be okay,” says Black. “It’s not about minimizing life experiences, but a reminder that you’re stronger than you think and that—despite what it feels like in the moment—there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”

True to the egalitarian spirit of the band, THICK take a highly collaborative approach to their songwriting without ever sacrificing the intimacy of their lyrics. In the writing of the heavy-hearted “Disappear,” for instance, Sisti lifted directly from her journal in telling the story of “loving someone who gets lost in their own head, and how painful that can be.” Meanwhile, on “Her Chapstick,” Page opens up about a struggle in her own relationship. “It has to do with the experience of a partner seeking external affection,” she says. “It’s about navigating the feelings of why a partner is sharing themselves with someone else when you are right there.” 

All New York State natives, THICK’s three members first crossed paths through shows at Brooklyn’s DIY/all-ages spaces and soon became a mainstay in that very scene. Since signing to Epitaph in 2018—and making their label debut with their self-titled third EP the following year—the band has dramatically expanded their reach and toured all over the country, including a 2021 run with punk legends Flogging Molly and Violent Femmes. But even as their fanbase grows exponentially, THICK thrive on forging an uncommonly close connection with their audience. “Getting to share our songs with new people and build community in places we’ve never been before has been the most fulfilling experience for us,” says Black. “We want to leave everyone smiling from ear to ear and get them moving around and hopefully look up at us and say, ‘Oh, I can do that. I’m gonna start my own band now.’”

The Experience Resorts provides you with a comprehensive travel insurance plan through Travel Guard, which includes coverage for trip cancellation/trip interruption, medical evacuation, travel medical expenses, and more. The travel insurance is underwritten by National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa., and the policy will contain limitations and exclusions.

For more information click here.

***DESTINATION CHAOS UPDATE***
Dear Destination Chaos Attendees,

Due to key personnel departures at Upstart Entertainment so close to the event and related circumstances that would have affected the event experience, it is with the deepest regret that we must announce Destination Chaos is being postponed until the fall. We are currently working with the artists, and their agents and managers, to retain as much of this amazing lineup as possible and bring in the key staff and talent to produce the rescheduled event which will most likely be in mid-October, 2023. Many bands, though disappointed, have also expressed their desire for a postponement and to work to make Destination Chaos the event we have all envisioned. We will release the new date in a formal announcement with additional details this Sunday, December 18.

Most importantly, we want you all to know that you are our top priority, and helping you adjust to this change will be our sole focus. Within the next few days, we will be sharing additional information on social, via email, and by way of SMS. We will be providing FULL optionality to select from the following choices:

  • Retain your exact booking for the new date
  • Process a claim via our insurance partner for a refund. All U.S residents are covered regardless of when you purchased your room.
  • Receive a direct refund (International residents)

Concerning booked flights, we are working with a travel agency to help you make all necessary flight changes or cancellations. If you can’t make the fall dates, we’ll work with your airline to accommodate your needs as best as possible. If you opt to come along for the new dates, we will be paying any change fees for you.

We expect to have full information to you in the next few days. We appreciate your patience and continued faith in Destination Chaos. We are extremely fortunate to have such amazing friends on both the talent and guest side of things. We fully recognize that, and we are very much looking forward to returning the favor by giving you the week of your lifetime.

With greatest regards,

Chris Wicke
Upstart Entertainment
Further information to follow.

CATCH OF THE DAY PROMO!

"GOOD THINGS"
$500 discount ON ANY PLAY PACKAGE this weekend!

BUY any play package and receive an instant $500 discount taken at checkout

enter code: "goodthings" at checkout.
limited offering

Click the BOOK NOW button below. At checkout, enter code GOODTHINGS below the calendar to receive this flash sale:

Room Type: Any PLAY package
7 Night Minimum night stay required

***Not changeable or upgradable***

Finance for up to 24 months.
Promo CODE: goodthings

*Cancellation & Travel Insurance Available for USA Residents Only

CATCH OF THE DAY PROMO!

"goodthings"
$500 flash discount on any play package
this weekend!

BUY any play package and receive a $500 discount taken at checkout.

enter code: "goodthings" at checkout.
limited offering

Click the BOOK NOW button below. At checkout, enter code GOODTHINGS below the calendar to receive this special flash sale:

Room Type: Any PLAY package
7 Night Minimum night stay required

***Not changeable or upgradable***

Finance for up to 24 months
Promo CODE: goodthings
All Promo Codes

THEPASSENGER — $1000 OFF AT CHECK-OUT — SOLD OUT

GOODTHINGS — $500 OFF AT CHECK-OUT — 2 REMAINING

FREAKSTOTHEFRONT — VIP SEATING: AMYL AND THE SNIFFERS — 2 LEFT

*Cancellation & Travel Insurance Available for USA Residents Only