3 Feet High & Rising: The Halfpipes Return from 3-year Hiatus with New Single “Birthday Boy” (self-released)

I recently randomly stumbled upon The Halfpipes while doing some digital sleuthing and Spotify research (shout-out to the algorithm!) for my ever-evolving Black Punk/Hardcore Long-player: Then, Now, Adjacent & inspired By and Brown Punk/Hardcore: Then, Now, Adjacent & Inspired By playlists. I reached out via email and eventually got in touch with one Travis Street, who acts as The Halfpipes’ sometimes producer and sometimes career advisor/mentor, who got me in contact with the band members. The Halfpipes hail from Houston, Texas and consist of vocalist Endee, lead guitarist Gabe, rhythm guitarist Kobe, bassist Diego, and drummer Shoelace. The Halfpipes released their self-titled 2022 EP on Street’s label, Street Noise Productions. The Halfpipes rose out of the ridiculously stacked line-up of Thrash, Hardcore, Alt. Rock, and Punk bands in the Houston, Texas underground scene in the winter of 2021 to become the star jewel in the crown of underground madness. By the end of the year, they released their first single, “Karoshi,” which was shortly followed by “Lethal Injection.” In the summer of 2022, they released their self-titled EP. The band was on a rocket to the top. They were the hottest band in the scene and were about to hit the road for their first Texas tour when life took a turn and the band had to pump the brakes and put everything on pause… Fast-forward to 2025, and the boys are ready to set the city on fire once more. Their new single, “Birthday Boy” dropped at midnight on Friday, May 23, 2025. A new follow-up EP is already felly recorded, mixed, and ready to roll out later this summer and The Halfpipes are in the process of organizing the much-anticipated album/EP release show that’s already poised to be the must-see underground show of the summer.

Endee told The Witzard that about “Birthday Boy” “plainly, stems from the idea that birthdays are performative acts put on by [families] and friends to appease the social constructs. The idea of expensive gift-giving being a symbol of your worth or appreciation is disingenuous to those whose birthdays are forgotten or never even celebrated.” Endee ended his statement by saying, “MUSIC IS BACK!” Rhythm guitarist Kobe added, “this song will be the face of The Halfpipes’ return. It's been a long time coming.” I would say that “Birthday Boy” is a bit more straight-ahead Skate-punk jam when compared against their previous The Halfpipes EP, which was arguably a bit more Thrashy/Surf Rock-indebted. I would say “Birthday Boy” is a bit rougher and unpolished than the band’s previous effort, but I think that’s the whole point… it’s Punk Rock after all, right!? I would say, if you like bands such as Agent Orange, The Dead Boys, The Angry Samoans, The Adolescents, and even early potty-mouthed blink-182, The Halfpipes are the band for you! The Halfpipes current 7-song discography has been added to both of my staggering Black Punk/Hardcore and slightly less staggering Brown Punk/Hardcore playlists for your listening pleasure. Along with “Birthday Boy,” The Halfpipes self-titled 2022 EP, is now streaming on Spotify and your like-minded streaming service(s) of choice. However, if you’re more interested in physical media, The Halfpipes CD’s are still available from Street Noise Productions’ webstore, along with The Halfpipes black T-shirts, beanies, patches, and stickers. The Halfpipes second album/EP is scheduled to be dropping sometime this summer and in the meantime, you can Follow them on Instagram and Facebook for release and show updates.