The Higher is an American
pop rock
Pop rock (also typeset as pop/rock) is a fusion genre with an emphasis on professional songwriting and recording craft, and less emphasis on attitude than rock music. Originating in the late 1950s as an alternative to normal rock and roll, earl ...
band from
Las Vegas
Las Vegas (; Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Vegas ...
,
Nevada
Nevada ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, Western region of the United States. It is bordered by Oregon to the northwest, Idaho to the northeast, California to the west, Arizona to the southeast, and Utah to the east. N ...
. They were originally known as "September Star". They have released three full-length albums, ''
On Fire'', ''
It's Only Natural'', and ''
Histrionics'', and
EPs named "Pace Yourself" and "Star is Dead." The band was signed to
Fiddler Records
Fiddler Records was a small independent record label serving as the launch pad for several artists seminal to the pop, punk and emo genres. Starting as the brainchild of 16-year-old entrepreneur Amy Fleisher Madden in 1996, the label became well ...
,
Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records is an American independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, most acts signed to the label were punk and pop punk acts, while there are many post-hardcore and emo bands ...
, and
Sony Japan. The Higher toured with the bands
Panic! at the Disco
Panic! at the Disco is the solo project of American musician Brendon Urie. It was originally a pop rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada, formed in 2004 by childhood friends Urie, Ryan Ross, Spencer Smith, and Brent Wilson. They recorded their firs ...
,
Motion City Soundtrack
Motion City Soundtrack is an American rock band that formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1997. The band's line-up consists of vocalist and guitarist Justin Courtney Pierre, lead guitarist Joshua Cain, keyboardist Jesse Johnson, bassist Matthew ...
,
The Temper Trap
The Temper Trap are an Australian indie rock band formed in 2005 by Dougy Mandagi, Jonathon Aherne, and Toby Dundas. In 2008, the group relocated from Melbourne to London. The band released their debut album '' Conditions'' in June 2009 to favou ...
,
Less Than Jake
Less Than Jake is an American ska punk band from Gainesville, Florida, formed in 1992. The band consists of Chris DeMakes (guitars, vocals), Roger Lima (bass, vocals), Matt Yonker (drums), Buddy Schaub (trombone), and Peter "JR" Wasilewski (saxoph ...
,
Ludo,
Escape the Fate
Escape the Fate is an American rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada, formed in 2004 and originally from Pahrump, Nevada. They are signed to Eleven Seven Music. The group consists of Robert Ortiz (drummer), Craig Mabbitt (lead vocalist), TJ Bell (rhy ...
,
Silverstein,
Emery,
Alexisonfire
Alexisonfire (pronounced "Alexis on Fire") is a Canadian post-hardcore band formed in St. Catharines, OntarioRoss, Mike.Band is a scream", CANOE JAM!, April 30, 2004. Retrieved on July 17, 2007. in 2001. The band's members are George Pettit (vo ...
,
There For Tomorrow,
We The Kings
We the Kings is an American rock band from Bradenton, Florida. The band's eponymous full-length debut album, released in 2007, included the platinum single "Check Yes Juliet", and went on to sell over 250,000 copies in the US. The group's secon ...
,
Rookie of the Year,
The Matches
The Matches are an American rock band from Oakland, California, active from 1997 to 2009. Formed as the Locals, the group changed their name after five years to avoid conflict with a Chicago band of the same name. As the Matches, they self-release ...
,
Sherwood
Sherwood may refer to:
Places Australia
*Sherwood, Queensland, a suburb of Brisbane
*Sherwood, South Australia, a locality
*Shire of Sherwood, a former local government area of Queensland
*Electoral district of Sherwood, an electoral district from ...
,
Meg and Dia
Meg & Dia is an American rock band formed in 2004. It was founded by sisters Meg and Dia Frampton before becoming a five-piece act (renamed Cowards Courage and released the CD ''Straight Out of a Story Book in Las Vegas'') where they started, w ...
,
Quiet Drive
Quietdrive is an alternative rock band based in Hopkins, Minnesota, USA, that was formed in 2002. Quietdrive released their first album, ''When All That's Left Is You'', on May 30, 2006, on Epic Records. In April 2008, Quietdrive left Epic Records ...
, Take Cover,
I Am Ghost
I Am Ghost was an American post-hardcore band from Long Beach, California, United States, conceived of and founded by Steven Juliano in 2004. They were signed to Epitaph Records from 2005 to 2010, before splitting up in July 2010. They briefly re ...
,
The Forecast
''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...
,
This Providence
This Providence was a four-piece alternative rock band from Seattle, Washington, United States. The band consisted of Dan Young (lead vocals/guitar), David Blaise (bass), Gavin Phillips (lead guitar), and Andy Horst (drums).
Band history Form ...
,
Name Taken
Name Taken was an American rock band from Orange, California. They were originally known as All That's Left in October 1999 until they discovered that the name was already taken; thus the name "Name Taken". The band started in the eighth grade wh ...
,
Sing it Loud,
Runner Runner
''Runner Runner'' is a 2013 American crime thriller film directed by Brad Furman, written by Brian Koppelman and David Levien and starring Justin Timberlake, Ben Affleck, Gemma Arterton and Anthony Mackie.
The film was released in the United S ...
,
Rufio
Rufio was an American rock band from Rancho Cucamonga, California, United States, in 2000. They released four studio albums: ''Perhaps, I Suppose'' (2001); ''MCMLXXXV'' (2003); ''The Comfort of Home'' (2005); and'' Anybody Out There'' (2010).
...
,
Tokyo Rose
Tokyo Rose (alternative spelling Tokio Rose) was a name given by Allied troops in the South Pacific during World War II to all female English-speaking radio broadcasters of Japanese propaganda. The programs were broadcast in the South Pacific ...
, and others.
Epitaph.com
History
2002–2005: Early years
In 2002, The Higher began to receive local attention from various labels and signed with Fiddler Records
Fiddler Records was a small independent record label serving as the launch pad for several artists seminal to the pop, punk and emo genres. Starting as the brainchild of 16-year-old entrepreneur Amy Fleisher Madden in 1996, the label became well ...
. The founding members are Seth Trotter and Jason "Face" Centeno later accompanied by Tom Oakes, James Mattison, and Pat Harter. In early 2003, they released their "Star is Dead" EP for Fiddler produced by Beau Burchell
Beau Burchell (born December 17, 1978) is an American musician, record producer, and audio engineer from Orange County, California. As a performer, he is best known as the guitarist and backing vocalist in Saosin. He is one of Saosin's founders, ...
(Saosin
Saosin is an American rock band formed in Orange County, California in 2003 by Beau Burchell, Justin Shekoski, Zach Kennedy, and Anthony Green. The band released their first EP, '' Translating the Name'', in 2003. That year, vocalist Anthony G ...
). Gaining momentum the band got on their first major tour, opening for Alexisonfire
Alexisonfire (pronounced "Alexis on Fire") is a Canadian post-hardcore band formed in St. Catharines, OntarioRoss, Mike.Band is a scream", CANOE JAM!, April 30, 2004. Retrieved on July 17, 2007. in 2001. The band's members are George Pettit (vo ...
, Silverstein, and Emery. August 2004 saw the band enter the studio with producer Rory Phillips
Rory Allen Phillips is an American musician and founding member of Austin, Texas punk-ska band The Impossibles. Phillips also started The Stereo with Jamie Woolford of Animal Chin in 1999, and Slowreader with Impossibles bandmate Gabe Hascall ...
( Young Love, Recover) to begin work on their 1st full-length album for Fiddler. In May 2005, they released " Histrionics." It would turn out to be their last release on Fiddler Records
Fiddler Records was a small independent record label serving as the launch pad for several artists seminal to the pop, punk and emo genres. Starting as the brainchild of 16-year-old entrepreneur Amy Fleisher Madden in 1996, the label became well ...
as the label went defunct leaving the band as free agents. In June 2005, guitarist James Mattison left the band for personal reasons. Needing a guitarist, Robert "Reggie" Ragan was auditioned and would join the band permanently in July 2005.
2005–2008: On Fire
In late 2005 after touring with Panic! At the Disco
Panic! at the Disco is the solo project of American musician Brendon Urie. It was originally a pop rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada, formed in 2004 by childhood friends Urie, Ryan Ross, Spencer Smith, and Brent Wilson. They recorded their firs ...
, they received interest from several record labels, ultimately signing with Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records is an American independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, most acts signed to the label were punk and pop punk acts, while there are many post-hardcore and emo bands ...
in early 2006. In the summer of 2006 they hit the studio with producer Mike Green (Paramore
Paramore is an American rock band from Franklin, Tennessee, formed in 2004. The band currently consists of lead vocalist Hayley Williams, guitarist Taylor York and drummer Zac Farro. Williams and Farro are founding members of the group, whil ...
, Good Charlotte
Good Charlotte is an American rock band from Waldorf, Maryland that formed in 1996. Since 2005, the band's lineup has consisted of twin brothers Joel Madden (lead vocals) and Benji Madden (guitar and vocals), Paul Thomas (bass), Billy Martin (g ...
), to begin work on their first full length for Epitaph. Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy is an American Rock music, rock band formed in Wilmette, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, in 2001. The band consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Patrick Stump, bassist Pete Wentz, lead guitarist Joe Trohman, and drummer A ...
remixed the song "Pace Yourself
''Pace Yourself'' is an album by saxophonist Tim Berne's Caos Totale which was recorded in 1990 and released on the JMT label.Shimada, T.JMT label discography accessed October 9, 2014
Reception
The AllMusic review by Brian Olewnick states "''Pac ...
" for the record. Upon its completion, they began the Epitaph Tour, touring with bands Escape the Fate
Escape the Fate is an American rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada, formed in 2004 and originally from Pahrump, Nevada. They are signed to Eleven Seven Music. The group consists of Robert Ortiz (drummer), Craig Mabbitt (lead vocalist), TJ Bell (rhy ...
, The Matches
The Matches are an American rock band from Oakland, California, active from 1997 to 2009. Formed as the Locals, the group changed their name after five years to avoid conflict with a Chicago band of the same name. As the Matches, they self-release ...
, and I am Ghost
I Am Ghost was an American post-hardcore band from Long Beach, California, United States, conceived of and founded by Steven Juliano in 2004. They were signed to Epitaph Records from 2005 to 2010, before splitting up in July 2010. They briefly re ...
. " On Fire" was released March 6, 2007. The lead single "Insurance?" immediately put the band on the map both domestically and internationally. Their music video for "Insurance?" from On Fire received heavy rotation on college-oriented video programming, such as MTVu
MTVU (formerly stylized as MtvU and mtvU) is an American digital cable TV channel owned by the MTV Entertainment Group, a unit of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. The channel was first known as VH1 Uno from 2000 to ...
. The video was shot in Las Vegas at the now imploded Frontier Hotel and Casino, and features the band performing and playing casino
A casino is a facility for certain types of gambling. Casinos are often built near or combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships, and other tourist attractions. Some casinos are also known for hosting live entertai ...
games with dancers. During the Summer of 2007, the video received airtime on MTV2
MTV2 (formerly M2) is an American pay television Cable television, channel owned by the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global.
The channel launched initially as an all-music video service, once the original MTV had started to sh ...
, and was the #1 video on Fuse
Fuse or FUSE may refer to:
Devices
* Fuse (electrical), a device used in electrical systems to protect against excessive current
** Fuse (automotive), a class of fuses for vehicles
* Fuse (hydraulic), a device used in hydraulic systems to protect ...
for two consecutive weeks. The band then hit the road with Motion City Soundtrack
Motion City Soundtrack is an American rock band that formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1997. The band's line-up consists of vocalist and guitarist Justin Courtney Pierre, lead guitarist Joshua Cain, keyboardist Jesse Johnson, bassist Matthew ...
, Sherwood
Sherwood may refer to:
Places Australia
*Sherwood, Queensland, a suburb of Brisbane
*Sherwood, South Australia, a locality
*Shire of Sherwood, a former local government area of Queensland
*Electoral district of Sherwood, an electoral district from ...
, and The Forecast
''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...
for a three-month run of shows. Later on that year, the band signed to Sony Japan. Their video for "Insurance?" hit #1 on MTV Japan
MTV Japan (Music Television Japan) is the Japanese version of the cable television network based in Japan. It is a subsidiary of Paramount Networks Japan K.K., and was launched on November 15, 1993. It can be viewed on cable television, SKY Perfe ...
beating out Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty ( ; born February 20, 1988) is a Barbadian singer, actress, and businesswoman. Born in Saint Michael and raised in Bridgetown, Barbados, Rihanna auditioned for American record producer Evan Rogers who invited her to the ...
for the top spot. " On Fire" also broke into Japan's top 10 Billboard charts, landing at #8. Due to conflicts within the band, The Higher and Pat Harter mutually parted ways, and was replaced by Boys like Girls
Boys Like Girls is an American rock band from Boston, Massachusetts. Formed in 2005, the group gained mainstream recognition when it released its self-titled debut album which went on to sell over 700,000 albums in the United States earning a ...
drum tech Doug McCarthy in August 2007. In November 2007, the band completed their first tour of Japan, selling out every show.
2008–2012: It's Only Natural and Lineup Changes
In February 2008, guitarist Tom Oakes decided to pursue other interests and left the band.
In April 2008, The Higher completed their first-ever UK Tour, supporting Elliot Minor
Elliot Minor are an English rock band from York, England. The band currently consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Alex Davies, vocalist and guitarist Ed Minton, drummer Dan Hetherton, bassist Ed Hetherton and keyboardist Ali Paul. The band ...
for nine dates alongside openers Furthest Drive Home
Furthest Drive Home were a four-piece pop and rock band from Farnham, England, which formed in 2003. The band released their EP ''Lost in Genre'' in the summer of 2005, before playing the side stage at Brighton's "Taste of Chaos" festival, al ...
. They also completed their first Van's Warped Tour
The Warped Tour was a traveling rock tour that toured the United States plus three or four stops in Canada annually each summer from 1995 until 2019. It was the largest traveling music festival in the United States and the longest-running touring ...
, playing the Smart Punk stage alongside such acts as Katy Perry
Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson (born October 25, 1984), known professionally as Katy Perry, is an American singer, songwriter, and television personality. Known for her influence on modern pop music and her Camp (style), campy style, she has been ...
and Forever the Sickest Kids. Following the completion of Warped Tour they began working on their second full-length album for Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records is an American independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, most acts signed to the label were punk and pop punk acts, while there are many post-hardcore and emo bands ...
. Again, they called upon Mike Green for production. On June 23, 2009, "It's Only Natural" was released and spawned another top 10 hit on Japan's Billboard charts, which was the title of the track of the album, "It's Only Natural." The band toured extensively the rest of 2009, including another tour of Japan culminating in playing the world-famous Fuji Rock Festival
is an annual rock festival held in Naeba Ski Resort, in Niigata Prefecture, Japan. The three-day event, organized by Smash Japan, features more than 200 Japanese and international musicians, making it the largest outdoor music event in Japan. ...
, Japan's largest annual music festival.
Since Tom Oakes departure from the band in February 2008, The Higher's former guitar tech and merchandiser Andrew "The Kid" Evans filled in on guitar before the band made him an official member in 2009.
In January 2010, Doug McCarthy left the band for personal issues. Long-time friend and LA-based drummer George Lind replaced him. The band toured most of 2010 with bands such as Quiet Drive
Quietdrive is an alternative rock band based in Hopkins, Minnesota, USA, that was formed in 2002. Quietdrive released their first album, ''When All That's Left Is You'', on May 30, 2006, on Epic Records. In April 2008, Quietdrive left Epic Records ...
, Between the Trees, Rufio
Rufio was an American rock band from Rancho Cucamonga, California, United States, in 2000. They released four studio albums: ''Perhaps, I Suppose'' (2001); ''MCMLXXXV'' (2003); ''The Comfort of Home'' (2005); and'' Anybody Out There'' (2010).
...
, and Sing it Loud. The band completed their final Japanese tour in June 2010. In October 2010, Andrew "The Kid" Evans left the band to pursue his own musical endeavors.
On December 18, 2020, the band's cover of *NSYNC's song "Bye Bye Bye
"Bye Bye Bye" is a song by the American boy band NSYNC. It was released on January 17, 2000, as the lead single from their third studio album ''No Strings Attached (NSYNC album), No Strings Attached''. The song was written and produced by Kristi ...
" was digitally released with the promise of more music in the near future.
2021 saw the entering the studio with Mike Pepe (Taking Back Sunday
Taking Back Sunday is an American rock band from Long Island, New York. The band was formed by guitarist Eddie Reyes and bassist Jesse Lacey in 1999. The band's members currently are Adam Lazzara (lead vocals), John Nolan (lead guitar, keybo ...
) to work on their forth coming EP ''Elvis In Wonderland''.
On May 27, The Higher played their first show in 11 years at So What Fest in Dallas. They were then added to Furnace Fest later that year. The band released their first single on August 12 titled “Free Ride.” On October 14 their new EP '' Elvis in Wonderland'' was released.
Discography
Album appearances
Interviews
Up up and away: The Higher completes "the record" they've been aiming for October 2008
* https://lasvegasweekly.com/bands/higher/
* https://lasvegasweekly.com/news/2009/jun/18/higher/
* http://epitaph.com/artists/the-higher/bio
* http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/higher/info/392375
* http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/higher/
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Higher, The
American pop rock music groups
Musical groups from Las Vegas
Rock music groups from Nevada