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The Hi-Tones at SXSW 2012
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SXSW is hands down one of the greatest festivals of all time, and once the music stops, the movie cr...SXSW is hands down one of the greatest festivals of all time, and once the music stops, the movie credits roll, and the computers switch off you can only hope that you leave Austin with something remarkable. For me, it was discovering the band, The Hi-Tones. Originating from Austin, this five piece band has an electric on-stage presence you have to experience to even comprehend, and the sound to match it. Front man Johnny Flores dominates the stage while sending a shockwave of vocals your direction! Of course he isn’t doing this alone; he has a powerful force behind him, helping keep the hairs on the back of your neck on end! Their garage and psyche-rock style is a vibrant unification of all the things you like from artist like The Zombies, The Kinks, and The Black Keys! Who wouldn’t want to hear that incredible assimilation? With the bands retro chic music, It’s no wonder that they’re experiencing exponentially growing fan base! If you’re in the Austin area this April, don’t miss out on seeing them perform, you won’t regret it! As of now, The Hi-Tones have a self titled album and a second album titled TransAudioStasis. Their third album Black Matter Manifesto under the record label Limehouse Records is self produced and should be released later this year.
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The Hi-Tones LIve at Mohawk
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1960s psychedelic power-pop is the name of the game with The Hi-Tones, the five-piece who've tighten...1960s psychedelic power-pop is the name of the game with The Hi-Tones, the five-piece who've tightened their package tenfold since putting together the Transaudiostatis EP in December with Frenchie Smith. Led by Aly Beaujon's whirling synths and Johnny Flores' dynamic, projecting howls, The Hi-Tones swept up a set that stretched from the charging "She's Got It Bad" to the sprawling, tripped-out "Necromancer."
View footage and hear audio at:
http://www.austinmusicweekly.com/show/the-hi-tones/mohawk/08-25-2011
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Hit and Run
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t’s not exactly a well-kept secret that Austin, Texas is one of the most affluent music cities in th...t’s not exactly a well-kept secret that Austin, Texas is one of the most affluent music cities in the world at the moment. From the Austin City Limits television program to the massive South by Southwest (SXSW) annual music festival right down to the vibrant local club scene, Austin attracts talent from across the world. The city is also rich with homegrown talent, such as revved-up garage rockers the Hi-Tones, who will make an appearance at South Park Tavern this week as they tour in support of their latest EP, “TransAudioStasis.”
Emerging from the ashes of Dans La Lune, vocalist Johnny Flores and bassist Gary Delgado sought out to create a new unit that drew upon traditional rock n’ roll values while continuing to forge ahead. After shuffling through members for a few years, they finally adopted the Hi-Tones moniker in 2009 as drummer Kurt Lammers settled in as permanent drummer. Over the past year, the band added guitarist Kyle Abrams and keyboardist Alyson Beaujon to round out their current incarnation.
“I guess we came together by chance, if you believe in it,” mused Flores. “It just feels natural to us. We couldn’t be more happy and confident than we are right now.”
While the band is currently hitting a stride with the new lineup in place, much of the Hi-Tones song-driven aesthetic comes from the time Flores, Delgado and former guitarist Steven Reyes spent working with music industry veteran Oscar Houchins, whose credentials include working with Tommy James & the Shondells. Under Houchins’ tutelage, Flores and co. learned about what it takes to better connect with audiences.
“Oscar is a professional and he pushed us to be more professional, to take ourselves seriously,” Flores recalled. “Songwriting is a process. There are many variations to that process. We can’t give away any secrets but he did introduce us to some of those variations. The listening audience is always something that we take into consideration. For years we kept telling ourselves ‘yeah, we’re going to blow everybody’s mind,’ but it wasn’t until we actually tried to create something that people can identify with or relate to that we started to understand the true craft of songwriting and storytelling. That is kind of what it is all about. Finding something in yourself that can be found in everybody, and then sharing it.”
In 2010, the Hi-Tones issued an eponymous five-song EP which showcased the band’s modern vintage sound fueled by growling guitars, swirling organs and propulsive rhythms. In January, the band returned with a new disc, “TransAudioStasis,” which serves as the first documentation of the new five-piece lineup. While the band continues to revel in the roots of rock n’ roll, do not mistake them for mere retro pastiche.
“’TransAudioStasis’ came together in a short amount of time,” said Flores on the new album. “We were booked to record with Frenchie Smith and were forced to kind of rush the process. We took a step in a direction that was a bit more explosively real. We took a step away from the retro thing and it gave us a path to follow.”
While the band is slated to release a single with Pittsburgh garage rock imprint Get Hip later this spring, “TransAudioStasis” is being released on Lucy the Poodle records, with which Flores previously served as CEO.
“With the digital music age upon us, the ability for a band to tour the world and release their art is at their fingertips,” Flores explained. “We plan to keep doing everything ourselves and at the same time work with various indie labels’ music persons.”
On the heels of the release of the album, the Hi-Tones are out on a midwestern tour. Upon the conclusion of this current jaunt, the band will return home to Austin and a showcase at the iconic SXSW Music Festival.
“We are very thrilled to finally be playing SXSW,” Flores admitted. “The thought of coming off of a long tour and right into a showcase makes me relieved because we know the band will be in a zone. Austin is our home. There are countless things to do in Austin every night. It is truly a magical place; we are surrounded by music, art, fashion, film. Endless inspiration and influence. The music scene is very grass roots and very supportive.”
While the Hi-Tones easily fall into line with many of the sonic aesthetics of garage rock, there is a level of sophistication in the writing and arrangements that add an additional edge to the their primal energy. Having earned a reputation as a must-see live band due to Flores’s unbridled stage antics, their stop in Dayton should be one of the surprises of the season.
“It is hard not to sound like your influences,” said Flores. “Some of us have been listening to older music since we could crawl. So these sounds are always going to come out in some form or another in our music. We are a hard-working band with an explosive live show that is the very essence of what we do.” Dayton City Paper
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90.5fm KU.T Song of the Day
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Garage-psych rockers The Hi-Tones are keeping sounds of flower-power alive right here in Austin. But...Garage-psych rockers The Hi-Tones are keeping sounds of flower-power alive right here in Austin. But in the Hi-Tone’s case, those flowers have thorns. The Hi-Tones are a band that need to be played at a high volume. Earbuds just won’t do the trick.
The Hi-Tones began as a band called Dans La Lune formed by Johnny Flores with bassist Gary Delgado and guitar player Steven Reyes, who later left the band. After Reyes’s departure, Flores and Delgado forged ahead after some more lineup shuffles and renamed the band The Hi-Tones in the summer of ’09. The group now stands with Flores on vocals, Delgado on bass, drummer Kurt Lammers, guitar player Kyle Abrams and Alyson Beaujon on keys.
This spring The Hi-Tones are set to release Black Matter Manifesto, their first full-length record. But for today’s song of the day, “Audiopathik”, we’re going to look back to the band’s last release, the 2011 EP TransAudioStasis. The record was produced by Chris “Frenchie” Smith and captures the band’s muscular, stomping sound. It’s full of hard-charging guitars and swirling organs. Singer Johnny Flores has the kind of voice you just don’t hear very often anymore: it flies on the ragged edge of soul, but has its feet firmly planted in rock.
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EP Review: The Hi-Tones
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‘The Hi-Tones EP'
The greatest strike against this five-song EP from Austin's charging old-school...‘The Hi-Tones EP'
The greatest strike against this five-song EP from Austin's charging old-school rock quintet is that it doesn't include any performance footage — live, the Hi-Tones are a force to behold, lead singer Johnny Flores a freewheeling blur of snappy dance moves. "The Hi-Tones EP" can't quite capture that charm, but it comes awfully close, no doubt thanks in part to local producer extraordinaire Chris "Frenchie" Smith, who knows from rock ‘n' roll.
Opener "Hit and Run" sets the pace, exploding with electric hooks as Flores growls out a sordid tale of automobile-inflicted personal and property damage. "You will never take me alive," asserts Flores in a line that's Bon Jovi-worthy in its classic rock efficiency. "I'll keep running until the day I die." He backs that up on following tracks, from the straight-ahead rock with a dash of Nuggets jangle of "She's Got It Bad" to the killer bar-friendly sing-along of "Mistress of Misery." And bassist Gary Delgado really earns his keep, anchoring the songs with impressive skill. "The Hi-Tones EP" won't win any awards for novelty, but for energetic, raw rock, it's hard to ask for much more.
The Hi-Tones will perform Aug. 21 at the Hole in the Wall.
— Patrick Caldwell
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The Hi-Tones
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n its previous incarnation as Dans La Lune, The Hi-Tones recalled the heyday of Shindig! in both sou...n its previous incarnation as Dans La Lune, The Hi-Tones recalled the heyday of Shindig! in both sound and personal style. And while frontman Johnny Flores seems to have retired his extensive collection of secondhand Carnaby Street threads, his band still captures all the slick-yet-gritty spirit of the British Invasion. Flores’ beefy voice is the band’s secret weapon, the shot of R&B adrenaline that sets The Hi-Tones’ bubblegum hooks into motion. The band is currently refining future sock-hop hits at The Bubble with producer Frenchie Smith—but fuzz this thick is always better bopped and twisted to live. The other acts rounding out this presentation by boutique party-starter Lucy The Poodle Productions each echo another period of rock gone by—Megafauna plays it ragged and reckless like the heroes of the ’90s alternative boom, while YellowFever comes from a lineage of soft-spoken, skeletal of Pacific Northwesterners that thrived in the ’80s.
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The Hi-Tones w/ Strange Boys
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THE STRANGE BOYS W/ THE HI-TONES
This wasn’t The Strange Boys’ first rodeo in Laredo, TX....THE STRANGE BOYS W/ THE HI-TONES
This wasn’t The Strange Boys’ first rodeo in Laredo, TX. The Strange Boys (Austin, Tx) made a second pit stop at The Whiskey Still while on tour promoting their album Be Brave (In the Red/Rough Trade Records). This time they rode in with The Hi-Tones (Austin, Tx), who are on tour to support their albumTransAudioStasis (Lucy the Poodle Records). The Hi-Tones who are lead by Johnny Flores are a garage-Indie band that did not sound like your regular everyday opening act. These guys came with their guns out waiting to shoot it out with the the bigger better known act they were preceding. Much to my surprise I found myself occupied with the singers phenomenal voice which reminded me of Lloyd Williams’ voice from “Shout” (Animal House Soundtrack). His energy filled the room and made people gravitate to the front of the stage. It brought back memories of last time The Strange Boys came to Laredo and A Giant Dog opened up for them. Wow! that band is on the verge of breaking out soon (they will be here with Girl in a Coma.. go to www.BlivePromotions.com to get your tickets now). I have a feeling that I am going to see The Hi-Tones again. You should go check them out so you can listen to what I was raving about. (Check out their myspace at http://www.myspace.com/thehitonesmusic )
The Strange Boys were anything but strange and very familiar considering they have been here before at Old#2. I got to catch the complete set this time and was feeling their garage punk/country style. This very tight sounding band did not have much to say as their songs spoke for themselves. Other than a Ryan Sambol popping a guitar sting mid song, everything went smooth and without a hitch. I really enjoyed their new tune “Be Brave” the third song their new album (Be Brave). The song is reminiscent of early 60‘s rock-n-roll...sorta like The Beatles screaming sound (think Twist and Shout covered by The Beatles). The Whiskey Still’s crowd got a little rowdy as they threw that tune down and so did I. As I got a little rowdy-ish, I noticed and spoke to Hacienda’s backup vocals/lead guitarist, Dante Schwebel who was their to support The Strange Boys (one of his favorite bands). Standing next to him soaking it all in was the Automatic Weekend band members/brothers minus Josh (bass)- Checo (drums) and Aris (lead vocals/lead guitar). Real and genuine musicians supporting Laredo’s Music Scene. To quote Ice Cube in reference to yesterday without confusing the fu.. out of everyone, “Today (yesterday) Was A Good Day”.
- story/photos by: Edgar A. Ramos
I want to thank Blive Promotions - Fernando, Mike, and Robert for allowing me once again to cover this event. I hope that you guys/gals go support the Girl in a Coma w/ A Giant Dog Show coming soon!
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Buzzine- 4th annual Johnny Cash Bash
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The HiTones, a fledgling act (barely a year old on the Austin scene) were the first act on the bill....The HiTones, a fledgling act (barely a year old on the Austin scene) were the first act on the bill. They played a handful of Cash tunes, including “I Walk the Line” amid some of their originals, which they claimed “Johnny would have probably listened to.” They’ve got fresh legs, granted, but The HiTones are a solid rock and roll band.
All the same, it’s not an easy thing to play the first spot on a nine-band roster, by any means, and it certainly didn’t help that the subsequent bands (and the audience’s listening pallets) were primed and ready for some lawless outlaw, rockabilly country music.
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The Hi-Tones
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Catching your first live performance by The Hi-Tones is a bit like the title of one of their more po...Catching your first live performance by The Hi-Tones is a bit like the title of one of their more popular songs, “Hit and Run” (not including the internal bleeding, of course). Everything happens so quickly, you’re left somewhat dazed and confused, and you can’t be exactly certain of what you’ve just witnessed. What you’re sure of is that it will take a little time before you go back to feeling normal after being run over by their retro brand of raw, jangly dance rock. The members of the band currently reside in Austin, and all of them have roots in Texas. Lead singer Johnny Flores, who also does most of the band’s booking and management, grew up in Corpus Christi with Gary Delgado. Delgado is a multi-instrumentalist (as is most of the band) that primarily plays bass in their live shows, as well as a major role in the writing and arrangement of the group’s songs. The friends of fifteen years have been partners in various musical projects over the last eight. Kurt Lammers began playing drums at 10 years old. After spending his childhood in West Texas, he moved to the Dallas area, where he was in a high school drum corps that eventually led to him playing for the band at the University of Arkansas. He joined The Hi-Tones after moving to Austin through the recommendation of a mutual friend, and has been playing with them for a little over a year. Kyle Abrams is the most recent addition to the lineup, having joined over the course of the past summer. Originally from Midland, Abrams serves as the band’s utility man, filling the spaces in their song by lending his skill to keyboards, guitar, and backup harmonies. The simple title of their first release, “The Hi-Tones EP”, belies the complexity and attention to detail involved in putting the album together. Delgado credits the time they spent working with industry veteran Oscar Houchins for the paradigm shift in their approach to music. Houchins, a professional musician during the sixties and seventies that worked with acts like Tommy James and The Shondells, was instrumental in getting them to understand the difference between “writing” and “crafting” a song. “He introduced us to a more professional type of approach to music,” says Delgado. “We spent many nights going over lyrics, arrangements, and vocal harmony parts. Learning how to craft songs that express what we are trying to express in a way that’s accessible to a mainstream audience. We continue that approach today, and our next set of recordings, which should be done by the end of the year, will reflect that.” If mainstream accessibility is their goal, then they are headed in the right direction. The Hi-Tones are one of a dying breed of band whose music has the ability to bridge the generation gap. With enough energy and head-bobbing beats to appeal to a younger audience, they maintain a certain vintage quality to their sound to make a more (ahem) mature listener feel nostalgic for long-gone early rock and soul acts. Having been described as “a free-wheeling blur of snappy dance moves”, Flores sets the energetic pace for the group’s live performances. Whether it’s James Brown-style shimmying and foot-shuffling or Jim Morrison-esque gyrations with his back to the audience, Flores never stops moving. He performs onstage like he’s Tom Cruise in that famous scene from Risky Business – a complete lack of inhibition, just letting go and giving in to the song. “I try to see through the audience and envision myself on my own plane,” explains the singer. “Every performance could be your last.”
-David Jordan Texarkana Gazette
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The Hi-Tones
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…out on tour from Austin in support of their latest release, TransAudioStasis, garage enthusiasts Th...…out on tour from Austin in support of their latest release, TransAudioStasis, garage enthusiasts The Hi-Tones are making their way through the Midwest back home in time to showcase at SXSW. With core members Johnny Flores and Gary Delgado having spent nearly a decade playing together, the recent additions of drummer Kurt Lammers, guitarist Kyle Abrams, and keyboardist Alyson Beaujon have rounded out their sound and further fueled their explosive live show, which makes an appearance in Dayton at South Park Tavern tonight. We were able to speak with Flores recently about the band’s roots, their ties to Austin, and the ongoing degradation of the old music industry. Have a listen and read on….
The Buddha Den: While you’re all Texan natives and each have spent several years as musicians individually, how did you all decide to come together with the Hi-Tones? What sort of musical interests caused you to join forces?
Johnny Flores: The Hi-Tones began as a music collaboration between founding members bassist Gary Delgado, vocalist Johnny Flores, and former guitar player Steven Reyes. The band formed was called Dans La Lune, and a couple of the songs written during that era managed to end up on The Hi-Tones debut EP and are still performed today. After parting with Steven Reyes, Delgado and Flores continued to write songs and although shuffling through various members continued to move the group forward. The name “The Hi-Tones” was officially adopted in the Summer of ‘09. Over the past couple years, Kurt Lammers has settled in as The Hi-Tones drummer. Introduced to Flores and Delgado through a mutual friend, Kurt’s extensive knowledge of rhythm and music theory has been crucial in the writing and recording of the new TransAudioStasis EP, and his back up vocals add that much more to the live show. Kurt solidified his chops on the drumline at the University of Arkansas. Kyle Abrams has been in the group for the past eight months and has quickly established himself as the new guitar sound for the group. Kyle’s gritty, experimental style, has been a much welcomed breath of fresh air to the group. His ability to cover a wide range of tone from, slashing, futuristic grunge, to psychedelic vibrato and delay adds an element of dynamic that the group had been in desperate need of. He played a huge role in sculpting the overall feel of TransAudioStasis and the future of the group itself. More recently, the The Hi-Tones have added keyboard/synth player Alyson Beaujon. She has brought a irresistible charm to the band and is a key factor in the re-creating of the sounds and moods of the new album for the live show. So I guess we came together by chance, if you believe in it. It just feels natural to us. We couldn’t be more happy and confident than we are right now.
TBD: With the band’s roots in such a musical city as Austin, how informed are you by your experiences there? How supportive is the music scene? What kind of unique opportunities do you feel you’ve had as a result of being in such a vibrant musical community?
JF: Austin is our home. There countless things to do in Austin every night. It is truly a magical place, we are surrounded by music, art, fashion, film. Endless inspiration and influence. The music scene is very grass roots and very supportive. Very DIY. The scene is very real! The band has had the pleasure of working with great promoters, great venues and motivated individuals that make the Austin the unique scene that it is. We feel fortunate to be apart of it, but, then again, that’s why we moved there! With the number of venues in Austin and it’s surrounding towns, there is always a place to play even for the more obscure artist. If you play your cards right and you know someone who knows someone you can find yourself playing early support for a Neon Indian or a Dresden Dolls. Bands of that caliber are touring through Austin every day. Austin is a great place to be right now. We have been mostly DIY with our booking and have seen hefty rewards from our efforts. We’ve made great contacts, not only in Austin but all over the state of Texas. We get notified about shows on a daily basis online. There are definitely more opportunities in Austin, but an opportunity is only that if you don’t take advantage of it.
TBD: During your formative years you worked with Oscar Houchins who you claim helped you to learn the difference between “writing and crafting a song.” What types of techniques did he show you that helped you along these lines? How important do you feel that difference is in connecting with listeners? Why?
JF: Well, it’s not necessarily a technique more it’s like an approach. Oscar is a professional, and he pushed us to be more professional. To take ourselves seriously. As we mentioned the founding members have been writing songs since before the days of Oscar. Songwriting is a process. There are many variations to that process. We can’t give away any secrets but he did introduce us to some of those variations. The listening audience is always something that we take into consideration. For years we kept telling ourselves “yeah, we’re gonna blow everybody’s mind”. But it wasn’t until we actually tried to create something that people can identify with or relate to that we started to understand the true craft of songwriting and storytelling. That is kinda what it is all about. Finding something in yourself that can be found in everybody, and then sharing it.
TBD: How did the new disc TransAudioStasis come to fruition? Where did you record? How was the songwriting process for the new album? How did you decide to put it out on Lucy The Poodle records?
JF: TransAudioStasis came together in a short amount of time. We were booked to record with Frenchie Smith and were forced to kinda rush the process. In the end it worked out. The studio was a great experience. We took a step in a direction that was a bit more explosively real. We took a step away from the retro thing and it gave us a path to follow. Well, Johnny Flores being the former CEO of Lucy The Poodle Records, I wanted to release it ourselves with Lucy. Essentially, the Hi-Tones will be releasing this from their network. Get Hip Records will however be releasing a 7 inch this Spring. This will include two tracks from AudioStasis. With the digital music age upon us, the ability for a band to tour the world and release their art is at their fingertips. So we plan to keep doing everything ourselves at the same time work with various indie labels music persons.
TBD: As you tour out in advance of SXSW, how do you feel about returning home from tour for a festival of this magnitude? How do you feel about being an indie touring band at this point in time with the “music industry” allegedly on its last legs? How do you feel about the current state of music in the US?
JF: Well, we are very thrilled to finally be playing SXSW. The thought of coming off of a long tour and right into a showcase makes me relieved because we know the band will be in a zone. We actually are not quite concerned about the industry as a whole. The industry that is on it’s last legs is not the same industry that is popular nowadays. Across the board larger tours are suffering because of the outlandish ticket prices. The indie circuit is thriving however. Smaller tours and indie festivals are the way to go with the younger Facebook generation. College radio is still the best venue for indie bands to be heard on the airwaves. We feel the current state of music is shifting. The larger markets which have been in decline for several years are obviously suffering because people no longer have to spend $20 on an album if they want to hear their favorite band. They simply can download or hear anything they want sometimes for free. I think getting your music on a video game or TV series seems to be very popular for indie bands these days.
TBD: How do you strike a balance between an obvious love for the traditions of rock n’ roll and modern trends in music? Why do you continue to draw on the music of a generation ago?
JF: It is hard not to sound like your influences. Some of us have been listening to older music since we could crawl. So these sounds are always going to come out in some form or another in our music. At the same time you have to be aware of where music is going. The best thing to do is to try to guess what might be popular in 2 years time as opposed to music of the past five years. It is fun to try to add modern elements likes synthesizers and sequencers to garage licks. We don’t look at ourselves as a straight rock and roll band that you might hear on the radio. We try to take from all forms of music including electronic, soul, and even punk.
TBD: Is there anything else you would like people to know about The Hi-Tones coming to play at South Park Tavern?
JF: We are a hard working band with an explosive live show that is the very essence of what we do. Our music is best enjoyed with friends so bring yours. The band will be recording a new EP this Summer and touring again this coming fall. Friend us on Facebook or Follow Us @TheHiTones . Thanks!
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The Hi-Tones Rock The Room
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This is one of those shows where you can’t hold back the rocking-out. That’s just not the thing to d...This is one of those shows where you can’t hold back the rocking-out. That’s just not the thing to do. It’s too contagious. And when The Hi-Tones go from zero to 90 in about .02 seconds, you’re absolutely along for the ride.
The Austin quintet has an electrifying vintage style that pushes ahead and shows no mercy. Vocalist Johnny Flores hits the ground running at a garage rock pace, and there’s plenty of guitar, courtesy of Kyle Abrams, to keep the energy at full throttle. Their self-titled five-song EP was produced by Frenchie Smith (Sixteen Deluxe, Young Heart Attack), who knows a thing or two about classic riffs and hooks, so it was the perfect match.
Prepare yourself for one electrifying live show. The Hi-Tones play Thursday night at Emo’s, 603 Red River, and the bill includes Candi & The Strangers, Megafauna, and Purple Myrtle. Doors open at 9 p.m. And bring the earplugs with you, homie. This one’s recommended.
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The Hi-Tones
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Trippy organs, groovy beats, and thick greasy chords characterize the emanating sounds which are are...Trippy organs, groovy beats, and thick greasy chords characterize the emanating sounds which are are reminiscent of 1960's Brit-Rock groups like The Kinks or Syd Barrett's early version of Pink Floyd, and are on par with modern acts such as The Black Keys, Jet, and The Strokes. Walk into their live show and it's clear by the end of the first song that The Hi-Tones have what many other bands lack: an outstanding front-man who commands the attention of the audience. Debonair and soul-shattering lead vocalist Johnny Flores, slender with jet black curls, not only has a impressive set of pipes, it seems he has borrowed some fancy footwork from Mr. James Brown himself. Sensual and sweat drenched, he spins, jumps, slides and shakes with relentless passionate energy. Bassist Gary Delgado, tall and dreamy, floats on his own introspective plane of existence thumping out punchy rhythms that pop like the exploding flash-bulbs of the 1930's. On cue, savvy guitarist Chazz Bessette steps out armed with a with a classic fireglow red Rickenbacker selected meticulously from an arsenal of vintage guitars. The crowd begins to pack the floor and becomes wild with dancing and excitement. The sexual energy given off by the music is apparent by the amount of flailing females that line the front row of the audience. By the end of the set, a dull evening has turned into what feels like a jiving bohemian dance party. Native Texan Kevin Culwell delivers pulsating guitar licks with a sense ease while the crowd dances in a frenzy. Kurt Lammers sits back with a smile and keeps the bodies moving with a constant beat that never seems to lose a click. I have seen the future!
The Hi-Tones are currently in studio with Grammy nominated producer Frenchie Smith [Jet, Trail of Dead] in Austin, TX. Watch for their debut album in 2010!
(Ed.: this post taken from The Hi-Tones' post on our DIY Open Blog, check out other Open Blog posts in the Deli Kitchen. The Hi-Tones are also among the nominees in our current poll...)
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Le Diamant Brut: The Happy Hollows & The Hi-Tones
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THE HI-TONES
What’s the Deal: Austin rock and roll fivesome, The Hi-Tones, shouldn’t be a new turn-...THE HI-TONES
What’s the Deal: Austin rock and roll fivesome, The Hi-Tones, shouldn’t be a new turn-on for you. The group has been bringing jittery, rambunctious and feverish retro dance rock to the stages of the city for many a moon. But, the guys - Johnny Flores, Chazz Bessette, Gary Delgado, Kurt Lammers and Kevin Culwell - have been busy recently recording some new tracks, a few of which are available on iTunes now.
One of the new songs, “Hit and Run,” begins with some bold rock and roll moves with some Hives-esque guitars thrown in promoting the jerky, nothing-to-lose dance off often incited by their live show and the frontman’s own enthused on-stage grooves. “Mistress of Misery” is led by thundering drumming with light harmonies and soloing close at the heels and carefully constructed to get the muscles moving.
Something Interesting: You can catch the group Wednesday, June 30th at The Continental Club with The Carrots and Agent Ribbons.
Other Tracks Worth Checking Out: “She’s Got It Bad” and “Inside Out”
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The Hi-Tones, Heavy Cream, The Ugly Beats and A Giant Dog at Mohawk [Show Preview]
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Tonight at the Mohawk, retro rock with nods to '60s mod and grungy soul is the word. Four bands with...Tonight at the Mohawk, retro rock with nods to '60s mod and grungy soul is the word. Four bands with undeniable onstage spunk and dance-inducing grooves will perform, with local quintet The Hi-Tones acting as headliners. Fronted by charismatic lead singer Johnny Flores, the Hi-Tones blend the grimy yet irresistibly hooky sensibilities of British Invasion paragons the Kinks, the sonic oomph of the Stones and a pinch of bubblegum pop with the same backwards-gazing aplomb that a modern band like Dr. Dog employs so well. Their 2011 EP, TransAudioStasis, does their live performance credit, but make no mistake: the Hi-Tones have made their reputation on Austin's stages, where their rambunctious energy, rock 'n roll catchiness and Flores's contagious dancing have inspired bops and twists a plenty.
Nashville garage-punks Heavy Cream will provide support. The foursome (three girls, one guy) have garnered comparisons to bands like The Donnas and The Ramones, other purveyors of the blistering two-minutes-or-less pop-punk genre. And their debut LP, Danny, was produced by JEFF the Brotherhood's Jake Orrall, who knows a thing or two about garage rock tunefulness.
Also playing are The Ugly Beats, a local group that have carved out a thin niche over the past several years playing '60s-inspired power-pop and garage-rock, shot through with some resplendent harmonies and a controlled, compelling live show; and Beerland favorites A Giant Dog, who used their spot as the opening salvo from last year's Casual Victim Pile II as a platform to prominence and notoriety. The band's lo-fi jams have smirches of psychedelia, barroom blues and burnt-out country, and live, they explode with raw power and pent-up energy behind the alluring and bewildering provocateur that is frontwoman Sabrina Ellis.
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The Hi-Tones show preview
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Just a quick live and local update:
Psychedelic rock group the Hi-Tones kicked off their North Am...Just a quick live and local update:
Psychedelic rock group the Hi-Tones kicked off their North American tour with a show at Emo’s last night. We wish them all the best and can’t wait to hear about their travels once they return. They really do put on a great show, so you can catch them if you live in any major city in Texas, plus cities as dispersed as Colorado Springs or London, Ontario. To entice you to go, stream and/or download their amazing “Hit and Run” below.
