BORE Takes The Stage With Rolo Tomassi - 7/31/2026
It’s always refreshing to see a long-standing independent band that's still active in the scene, making music and delivering great live performances. BORE is the perfect example of this, and when I saw them open for Rolo Tomassi at TV Eye on July 31st, they proved to me that they will be legends in the New York metalcore and hardcore scenes, if not already.
Photo by @visualsbybean
Founded in 2018, BORE is a four-piece rock group that blends metal, hardcore punk, mathcore, and alternative rock and has been active in the New York City and Long Island area. The band consists of Branden Gallagher (vocals), Danny Kopij (guitar, vocals), Sid Valiquette (bass), and newest addition Fernando Morales (drums). They have been stronger than ever, with a ton of shows coming up, new music out soon, and a recent signing to Ferret Music, the revived independent heavy rock label founded by NORA vocalist Carl Severson, something the band doesn’t take lightly. The band has expressed deep gratitude for this opportunity and is excited about this next chapter, as they have said in interviews and on stage. It’s not unbelievable to think that many more great things will be coming to BORE’s legacy.
Photo by @karenannlarkin_
I was invited to the show by the drummer Fernando and my friend Karen. I’m not much of a metal listener, but I always give things a try! I was definitely not disappointed by the show. They were right in the middle of two great acts: Float Omen and the iconic Rolo Tomassi. Each band brought its own unique take on metal to the show. The audience rocked out and sang along all night. However, to me, the biggest highlight of the show was BORE; they stood out for their dynamic and passionate performances.
Once they took the stage, you could already feel the energy slowly building from the band. So many people next to me were excited to see the band. As soon as they started, vocalist Branden immediately engaged the audience. His vocals were visceral, raw, and powerful. He was jumping around the stage, interacting with the audience, giving them the mic at points to sing along, and even going down into the crowd. The pit was crazy, constantly active and getting bigger as the night progressed. So many people were SCREAMING the lyrics to the song; they had a ton of die-hard fans there. Guitarist Danny was also moving around, showing a ton of energy. Each member of the band worked well with the others, even with their new addition, Fernando, who you would think had been with the band for years at that point, given how perfectly he fit in. They played some of their beloved hits from previous EPs and their debut album, Feral, as well as new songs that will be released very soon. It truly made me want to dive into their discography and get tickets to their next show; that's how great they were.
Throughout the set, they expressed gratitude for the chance to perform with Rolo Tomassi, for Fernando joining the band, and even vocalized their appreciation for the crowd for being there. Branden spoke about how important it is, given the state of the country and the world, to come together at shows and create community with one another. It’s always a nice message to hear, especially when it’s followed by meeting new people and building community at the show!
Photo by @karenannlarkin_
Photo by @karenannlarkin_
It was an amazing experience to see the band at this moment. I truly think they will blow up very soon; they have a lot of good things coming their way, and I’m excited to see what's in store for them next. They have new music coming soon, as they're recording in October, and a ton of shows coming up in the Fall. You can find all this information and keep up with them on Instagram at @abandcalledbore.
Photo by @karenannlarkin_
