The Punk Collab We Needed In 2025 - Heavy Petter and The Highdives release split LP



The lore of Kempenfelt Kelly is spotty, and in all honesty, pretty damn bland. Since its last sighting in 1967, ol’ Kelly has fallen into watery obscurity - until now. Two stalwart bands of the Barrie and beyond music scene are taking back the Kempenfelt Kelly name for their split LP Come Back, Kelly.  

Like the mythical beast itself, tales of Heavy Petter and The Highdives have seeped into the oral history of this fair city. Known for nasty guitar riffs, blasting tempos, and lyrics that both bite and bring a smile to your face, this is a legendary collaboration. Though there are only 2 band names on the cover, each members carries with them copious credits to a myriad of projects that range from doom to solo acoustic and bear the same quality and energy present on this split. 


Boasting a Heavy side and a High side, Come Back, Kelly displays both bands doing what they do best - creating aggressively energetic songs that connect to everyone in the community. 


While the namesake of the LP is fantastical, the substance of the content is very real, and very indicative of the troubles our city and beyond currently face. Heavy Petter does not shy away from exploring anxiety, feeling lost and inadequate, and addiction to social media that has made too many people passive to the horrors happening in real-time. The Highdives begin their side of the LP with haunting imagery of wandering familiar but alienating streets, struggling to find comfort in places that used to feel safe. There is a genuine vulnerability echoed from side to side of the LP, but with a static resilience that propels the listener forward and out of the dark. 


As a symbol of deeper camaraderie, each band dedicates some of their runtime to covering each other's previously released tracks. Heavy Petter and The Highdives are no strangers to sharing stages, and their chemistry with one another’s music is heartwarming (but still punk as fuck). 


Come Back, Kelly is everything you want from such established names as Heavy Petter and The Highdives - it’s fast, it’s real, it’s fun. But most importantly, it feels like home. Every track feels like a labour of love…sweaty, distorted, consensually pile-driven love. 


There may be a monster that lives beneath the waves of Kempenfelt Bay, and if anyone can conjure it to the surface - its Heavy Petter and The Highdives. 


Come Back, Kelly drops July 25 on all streaming platforms, as well as being available on vinyl and cassette.

 

Check out Tarantula Tapes to order a copy here. 


The album release tour has 4 stops on its southern Ontario leg. Check them out at one (or all) of their shows. 


08.14 - NoNo Room, Toronto

08.15 - Planet Bean, Guelph (all ages)

08.16 - Probably House, London (as a punk)

08.17 - The Queens, Barrie


Check out more from Heavy Petter here and The Highdives here. 



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