Beatles, Beck, Big Star, Bjork, Blur, Dead Kennedys,
Dinosaur Jr., Felt, Fugazi, Go-Betweens, Happy Mondays,
Jazz Butcher, Jesus Lizard, Led Zeppelin, Monochrome Set,
Nirvana, Oasis, Orange Juice, Patti Smith, Pavement,
R.E.M, Ride, Polve, Primal Scream, Sebadoh, Sonic Youth,
Stone Roses, Superchunk, They Might Be Giants,
Trash Can Sinatras, Velvet Underground, Verve,
The Who, Yo La Tengo ...
Sounds Like
"A fine anthemic merger where the Beatlesque meets the Nirvanaesque, yet firmly grounded in the world of the 21st century!"
Hailing from the constantly evolving city of Tokyo is the equally, ever-evolving dual drummer quintet known as HiGE (pronounced hi-gae). The name translates from the Japanese word for "Beard" or "Mustache", which might possibly explain why many a bearded man appear in so much of HiGE's artwork and imagery.
Through various explosive appearances such as their unforgettable set at the Fuji Rock Festival 2004 in addition to many other headlining shows, HiGE garnered quite a reputation as the undisputed champions of the underground dirty rock scene. HiGE..'s critically acclaimed debut major label album entitled "Thank You, Beatles" was released through the one and only true music label in Japan, JVC/Speedstar Records (Victor Entertainment Inc) in 2005.
The musical output of HiGE is quite an exquisite merger of disparaging sounds, at times uplifting, kitschy and primitive, at others it maintains the moodiness of psychedelia in pleasant contrast to the best hooks from alternative styled classics. Simply put, HiGE might very well be a fine anthemic merger where the Beatlesque meets the Nirvanaesque, yet firmly grounded in the world of the 21st century.
In fact, HiGE..'s uplifting blend of classic melodies and all out nihilism makes them a completely twisted rock n' roll package for our times, one that channels Lennon, Dylan, Cobain and Morrison, all the while remaining completely original.
HiGE has released four albums in their career. With those albums, the band has created a heartfelt, infectious eruption of rock mixed with abundant melodies, expressive playing and well-crafted songs. At the helm of HiGE is frontman and guitarist Hisashi Suto, who boasts a distinctly memorable voice that he uses to perfection when emoting his rather vivid lyrics.
In their debut year, HiGE quickly amassed innumerable stimulating moments highlighted by their performance at Summer Sonic 2005, as well as at the annual event Countdown 05/06 hosted by the most trusted rock magazine in Japan, Rockin' On Japan. HiGE also performed at Countdown 06/07, and in 2007, they swept music festivals held in Japan such as FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL, ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL, RISING SUN ROCK FESTIVAL, MONSTER BASH. In turn HiGE received high praise from both media and festivalgoers alike.
There, in the live environment is where one can truly experience the euphoria and dynamism of HiGE that is where the real "Rock n' Roll" experience begins taking you to places unimaginable. Above all, HiGE knows how to have one hell of a good time.
After releasing their 4th album "Chaos In Apple" in 2007, they went on Chaos In Apple Japan Tour. As soon as they got back from the long tour, they started making a new album, in fact, new one song album "Electric". "Electric" only includes one "fourty minutes" song. It's a new attempt but a natural movement for ever evolving dual drummer quintet.
Watch out world, HiGE is here!
2003
Jul. "LOVE LOVE LOVE.." (Japanese Indies: 3rd Stone Records)
Dec. "Hello! My Friends.." (Japanese Indies: 3rd Stone Records)
2004
Jul. Performed at "Fuji Rock Festival 04"
Oct. "BATTLE OF MY GENERATION.." (Japanese Indies: 3rd Stone Records)
2005
May. 1st Album "Thank you, Beatles" (Japanese Major: JVC)
Aug. Performed at "Summer Sonic 05"
Nov. 2nd Album "I Love Rock n' Roll.." (Japanese Major: JVC)
Dec. "I Love Rock n' Roll" Japan Tour
2006
Jan. Headliner Show at Shibuya Club Quattro (Tokyo)
Jul.~Aug. Some Big Festivals in Japan
Sep. 1st Single "Rock n' Roll'n Roll and 5 Prisoners"(Japanese Major: JVC)
Nov. 3rd Album "PEANUTS FOREVER"(Japanese Major: JVC)
Nov.~ "PEANUTS FOREVER" Japan Tour
Dec. Performed at "COUNTDOWN JAPAN 06/07 in Osaka"
2007
Jan. Performed at "COUNTDOWN JAPAN 06/07 in Tokyo"
Jul. Performed at "FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL"
Aug. Performed at "ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2007"
Aug. Performed at "RISING SUN ROCK FESTIVAL 2007 in EZO"
Aug. Performed at "MONSTER baSH 2007"
Sep. 2nd Single "Paint it Black" (Japanese Major: JVC)
Nov. 4th Album "Chaos in Apple" (Japanese Major: JVC)
Nov.~ "Chaos in Apple" Japan Tour
2008
April. Performed at "ARABAKI ROCK FESTIVAL"
July. One Song Album "Electric" (Japanese Major: JVC)
Aug. Performed at "ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2008"
Aug. Performed at "SUMMER SONIC 2008"
Oct. Performed at "Space Shower RETSUDEN BIG '08"
Oct. 3rd Single "Yume De Sayonara"(Japanese Major: JVC)
Nov. HiGE×Fujifabric tour(Tokyo,Osaka,Nagoya)
Dec. Performed At "CLUB SNOOZER in Fukuoka"
Dec. Performed At "CLUB SNOOZER in Hiroshima"
Dec. Performed At "COUNTDOWN JAPAN 08/09 in Makuhari Messe"
Dec. Performed At "COUNTDOWN JAPAN 08/09 in Intex Osaka"
2009
Feb. Performed At "MTV LIVE Japan Tour" Fukuoka, Nagoya, Tokyo
Feb. Friday the 13th "CLUB JASON" at Ebisu Liquid Room
Mar. Friday the 13th "CLUB JASON" at Shibuya CLUB QUATTRO
