Filling our coveted Band of the Day spot today, as we clear the pre-xmas queue (and head towards another day… or two… or more off), are HighView…
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
Straya! We all came from various locations around Australia but the band was formed and is currently based in Canberra.
How did you meet?
Jack (bass) was in a different band with Matt K (rhythm guitar) then Ray (drums) replaced him on bass. Chris (lead guitar) and Matt F (vocals) played in bands that did shows together many years earlier. We all eventually got together by playing Rage Against The Machine, Garbage and The Prodigy songs for a 90s music tribute show.
How long have you been playing as a band?
The band was established in 2015 with our first single “Reset” coming out in December 2016. Our first show coincided with the release of our debut EP Take Your Time in March 2017.
Before you get sick of being asked… where does the band name come from?
Highview Drive, Dolphin Point on the New South Wales south coast.
What are your influences?
They vary greatly between band members but we are obviously big fans of rock and alternative. Osaka Punch, Foo Fighters, Voyager, Twelve Foot Ninja and Dead Letter Circus spring to mind.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
Whilst we haven’t specifically set out to define our sound, alternative rock is a very accurate way of describing it. Chris’s lead guitar lines intertwine with Matt F’s vocals creating unique melodic layers, Matt K’s solid-as-rock rhythm lines give the songs huge scale whilst Jack and Ray relentlessly push the songs forward with driving rhythms. All this is mixed with layered synths and electronics to give the songs a new and exciting take on rock to keep driving the genre forward.
Do you have any particular lyrical themes?
There is no set theme for the lyrics but they generally revolve around life lessons and experiences and how these events shape who we are.
What’s your live show like? How many shows have you played?
Our live show is always high energy and exciting. We always get involved with our crowd to make sure they have an amazing time! We’ve toured extensively around Australia and are really keen to get back on the road after we release our second EP in 2018.
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?
Matt K will never live this down! Using in ear monitors is part of our live setup and, at a gig in Canberra, the rubber seal from the headphone got stuck in his ear mid set and required backstage operation performed with some needle nose pliers to remove it!
What kit do you use / guitars do you play / etc.?
We don’t really plug brands and currently we use all our own gear but if anyone wants to sponsor us, we’re listening!
What, if anything, are you plugging/promoting at the moment?
We recently released a film clip for our debut single “Reset” [See below – Mosh] from the Take Your Time EP. It was filmed in an allegedly haunted movie theatre! (no ghosts were harmed in the making of the film clip).
What are your plans for the rest of 2017, into 2018?
Thankfully, the rest of 2017 will be taken up by a well earned rest, but it’s all guns blazing into 2018. We’ve been working hard on our next EP which will take the HighView sound to new heights. The recording of the lead single is close to completion and we recently travelled down to Melbourne to shoot a film clip for it. Once the EP is out it’s tour, tour, tour! On the touring note, we’ve locked in an extra special gig to kick off the new year playing with fellow Aussies In Hearts Wake and Young Lions on 31 January in Canberra.
