The High Learys

Freakbeat doesn’t swing much more than than this. Perth’s High Learys are children of the ‘60s, metaphorically speaking, from their meticulously ruffled haircuts down to the pointy tips of their winkle-picker boots. If such retrofitting offends your sensibilities, leave now.

Look at the cover. Is that a bunch of death metalists, summoning down bats? The thing about being a band of throwbacks is that it’s hard to sound original in any way. The High Learys realise this and don’t even try. They don’t just play songs that sound like The Zombies, they look like them. They wear their guitars around their necks. No screaming Strats in evidence. Marshall guitar rigs are out. They have a Vox endorsement. If Mod was a religion in Western Australia they’d be lining up for a tax rebate and if Perth had a Carnaby Street, they’d move there.

Which is not to say The High Learys are feeble copyists. Far from it. They’re good copyists. They’re trapped in a ‘60s prison of their own creation - and that’s how they like it.

The High Learys have only been around for 10 minutes but they’ve already toured Europe and their album has been issued on vinyl on the distinguished Soundflat label. Melbourne’s Off The Hip brings it to you on CD.

The songs are pretty good. Ten tunes in 25 minutes and no note wasted. “Not Me (You’ve Got It All Wrong)” is the pick, a nicely layered beat rocker with twangy lead break and chunky feel. Bassist Jamie Turner handles vocals and has an appealing voice. Matthew Williams is no slouch on guitar and Michael Nutt’s keys are to the forefront throughout.

There’s a groovy instrumental rocker (“Kanpai”), a greasy R & B chugger (“Let You Down”) that gives the early Stones a run for their money, a hip-shaking hand-clapper (“Idolise Your Woman”) and a surf tune (“Down Time.”)

In the end, “Here Come” doesn’t take you anywhere you don’t expect to go. You know exactly what you’re getting. Sometimes, that isn’t a bad deal. - Written by The Barman - 20 February 2014

Local Perth band The High Learys are jetting off on their first international tour of Europe next week.

The band is booked for a six-week, 18-date tour stopping in Italy, France, Spain and London.

Lead singer and bass player Jamie Turner is hopeful to reach out to a wider audience and play their music to new crowds.

“We are all very excited… Can’t wait,” Turner said.

“The excitement level is pretty high in the band, just to be playing our music in a foreign land with foreign fans feels really surreal,” said lead guitarist Matt Williams.

Willams said it nearly took the band a year to organise the tour.

“From the idea, to releasing a product, to finalise dates, it’s a very long, but hopefully worthwhile process.”

Having only just formed in 2011, The High Learys have been causing quite a stir in the local music industry having received airplay across Australia on local community radio stations as well as Triple J.

“So much has happened in the short two years we’ve been together, we are all privileged and grateful for the support,” Turner said.

The 1960’s-influenced rockers also recorded and released their debut album in August this year titled Here Come The High Learys.

“The album is definitely very raw, it was recorded live so it has a complete honesty about it, very much like if you came to one of our shows,” Turner said.

The band was also recently endorsed by Vox Amplification, joining the likes of The Beatles, Sir Paul McCartney, Brian May of Queen and many others.

“Vox is a big part of our sound and to have them backing us up with any help they can give is a dream come true,” Turner said.

The tour of Europe was booked through German label Soundflat Records which also pressed and are distributing The High Learys debut album. The UK dates were booked by the band themselves.

“As we get closer to the date the excitement is winning,” said Willams.

It doesn’t stop there for the band. The High Learys are already planning on heading back over East in the new year and are also planning a US and Japan tour.

“Who knows, we might head back to Europe,” said Turner. - Written by Dion Mariani - September 25th 2013