Gravel Pit are a four-piece hardcore punk band from Wellington, New Zealand, known for their high-energy performances, furious punk intensity, and a sound that fuses 90s skate punk, crossover thrash, and raw hardcore power.

The band was formed by guitarist Dave Hampton and drummer Jason Gascoigne, who initially jammed Bad Religion covers before rounding out the lineup with bassist Matt Mason (formerly of Nelson band Basura Blanca) and vocalist Bailey Palmer (ex-Still Nothing). All four brought deep roots in New Zealand’s punk and hardcore scenes: Hampton had played in Brubeck and Gascoigne’s drumming history spanned Floorpie, The Minimals, Sheriff Lobo, Damaged, Strangers, and The Deadline. Gascoigne also continues to play in the metalcore supergroup Standover.

Gravel Pit hit the ground running in late 2018, releasing a self-titled four-song EP in September and playing one of their first shows at Nelson’s Paradox Bar on December 1. Practicing in a Seaview storage locker they shared with thrash outfit Stalker, Gravel Pit was soon playing the release show for Stalker’s Powermad 7” in April 2019.

Their second EP, Black Arts, dropped in February 2020 on 7” vinyl, cementing their sound as a relentless mix of skate punk velocity, thrash edge, and hardcore urgency. Reviewers praised the record’s “shout-a-long choruses,” Bailey Palmer’s searing vocal presence, and the band’s knack for crafting hooky but ferocious songs. That same month, Gravel Pit tore through Waitangi Wastefest, a fundraiser for the Newtown DIY skatespot, and in March played both Newtown Festival and an opening slot for legendary U.S. punks Lagwagon.

Just as the band was gaining traction, the COVID-19 lockdowns put gigs on hold. Still, Gravel Pit managed to keep busy, sharing stages with acts like Soul Void, Brainwave, Dartz, Bullet Belt, Happy Valley and Pop OD throughout 2020–21.

April 2022 saw the release of a split 7” with Auckland hardcore band Wolves, celebrated with a release show at The Underground in Auckland. Their contribution was hailed for its raw urgency, melodic aggression, and hardcore passion reminiscent of Minor Threat and the 90s underground scene. That same year, Gravel Pit opened for heavyweight New Zealand acts Antagonist AD and The Bleeders.

At the end of 2022, founding bassist Matt Mason departed, with Luke Weston (also of Standover) stepping in. The refreshed lineup debuted at Full Noise Festival in Auckland in April 2023, before opening for U.S. punk icons Strung Out and Lagwagon later that year.

Gravel Pit continued their momentum into 2024, appearing at the Summer of Hardcore show at Valhalla in Wellington and Foundation Hardcore Fest in Hamilton.

Origin	Wellington
Genre	hardcore
Years Active	2018 – now
Associated Acts	Floorpie, Still Nothing, Basura Blanca Standover Stalker
Current Members	Bailey Palmer (vocals) Jason Gascoigne (drums) Dave Hampton (guitar, vocals) Luke Weston (bass, vocals 2023- )
Past Members	Matt Mason (bass, vocals 2018-2022)