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Highcyde haven't been around long, but they have so much energy you can't help but turn it up and dig the guitar work at the beginning of this song. The tough thing for a band like this is to stand out from all the other noise, but these guys do it with smart lyrics, pounding sounds and songs you find yourself sticking into your favorite playlists. Watch these guys, they'll be on a label within a year or two, they have to be...anyone who gets "prison he-she sluts" into their lyrics just has to make it. -- Podsiphon (2005) - Podsiphon
"One of the best Bay Area alt-rock bands." -- Oakland Tribune (Jan., 2006) - Oakland Tribune
Discography
My Story Now (2005) -- Music and lyrics written by Tony Thompson and Jay Castillo; Produced by Tony Thompson, Jay Castillo and Varun Kejriwal; Engineered and mixed by Varun Kejriwal in Redwood City, California; Mastered by John Cuniberti at The Plant Studios in Sausalito, California.
1. Change (3:28)
2. Wait Too Long (3:57)
3. Gone (3:54)
4. Last Chance (3:35)
5. Better Life (4:07)
6. High Road (3:36)
7. Underneath (3:20)
8. Alone (3:06)
9. Realize (2:43)
10. My Story Now (3:39)
Highcyde EP (2004) -- Music and lyrics written by Tony Thompson and Jay Castillo; Produced by Tony Thompson, Jay Castillo and Don Budd; Engineered and mixed by Don Budd at Final Mix in Campbell, California; Mastered by Ken Lee at Ken Lee Mastering in Berkeley, California.
1. Final Hour (2:57)
2. Redlands (3:14)
3. Remember (3:45)
Photos
Bio
Highcyde is a high-energy alternative rock band with driving rock guitar, powerful beats and lyrics anyone could relate to. The Oakland Tribune has named Highcyde "one of the best Bay Area alt-rock bands," and Highcyde was recently named a winner in the Shift_2Nissan Battle of the Bands competition.
Formed in early 2002, Highcyde emerged when vocalist Jay Castillo and guitarist Tony Thompson connected through the large group of mutual friends the two didn't know they had (a group that evolved into a social networking community known as Baycrew). This eventually helped jumpstart Highcyde's popularity among a diverse and growing fan base. The Highcyde front man reflects on the connection by saying, "It was kinda funny because my boy Tony never knew I was a singer, and I never knew he played guitar." Tony recalls "it was a situation that just worked. Musically, we're on the same page."
In the summer of 2004, the band released its first self-titled EP. The song "Final Hour" led off the CD, and received such acclaim from independent reviewers as "very radio-friendly," having "cool powerful electric guitar licks," as well as being the "best song reviewed in a while." The EP also included the popular song "Redlands," which continues to be performed acoustic today, as well as the intense "Remember."
From May through October 2005, the band made Redwood City its second home recording its debut album "My Story Now." The album was created to symbolize not looking back at the past or even looking ahead too far into the future, but living in the "now." It's for anyone who has ever had their motives and loyalty questioned in the past, and wanting to stand up and say..."this is my story now, don't ever doubt me!"
It's 2007, and Highcyde pushes on with Jay Castillo on vocals, Tony Thompson on guitar, Kristopher Duarte on bass and Evan "Schlick" Von Rittmann on drums. You can also check us out on MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/highcyde.
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