The Higher
Encyclopedia
The Higher is an American
pop rock
band from Las Vegas
, Nevada
. They were originally known as "September Star". They have released two full length albums named On Fire
, Histrionics
and EP
s named "Pace Yourself" and "Star is Dead". The current members of the band are Seth Trotter, Doug McCarthy, Reggie Ragan and Jason Centeno.
Their music video for "Insurance?" from On Fire
has received moderate rotation on college-oriented video programming, such as MTVu
. The video was shot in Las Vegas and features the band performing and playing casino
games with dancers.
They signed with Epitaph Records
and began making pop records, including a cover of Ne-Yo
's "Closer". Some believe that since then, they have lost their older punk sound heard on Histrionics and Star is Dead.
In 2002, performing under their previous name September Star, The Higher defeated other local bands including Local 15, Absent Minded, Jr. Anti Sex League, and Halfway to win video recording time with VH1 in the first annual Las Vegas Bike Rack Battles. They frequently performed at local venues like the Huntridge and Smoothie King.
In February 2008, the band announced that founding member; Tom Oakes is out of the band releasing these statements:
Official band statement: "The Higher regrets to inform everyone that due to personal and creative issues, Tom Oakes has decided to take leave from the band. We wish him the best in his future projects. The Higher will continue on and will perform at all dates posted. The Higher wishes to thank all their fans for their understanding, support and love during this time and hopes to see you on tour."
Tom Oakes: "To all of you, I want to thank all of you for what you have done for this band. I am personally shaken about this, but not destroyed. The band is very adamant about continuing on and I have nothing but the most faith in the world that they will not only continue, but succeed. If any of you have any questions, I am available to speak further. Thank you all again and look forward to a successful 2008!".
In April 2008, The Higher completed their first ever UK tour, supporting Elliot Minor
for 8 dates alongside openers Furthest Drive Home
.
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 November of 2009 McCarthy left the band for personal issues and in October 2010 Evans left The Higher to pursue his own musical interests.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
pop rock
Pop rock
Pop rock is a music genre which mixes a catchy pop style and light lyrics in its guitar-based rock songs. There are varying definitions of the term, ranging from a slower and mellower form of rock music to a subgenre of pop music...
band from Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
, Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
. They were originally known as "September Star". They have released two full length albums named On Fire
On Fire (The Higher album)
On Fire is the second full-length studio album by American rock band The Higher, released through Epitaph Records on March 6, 2007.The album's first single was the "Insurance?", followed by the second "Dare".- Track listing :#Insurance?#Guts...
, Histrionics
Histrionics (The Higher album)
Histrionics is the debut full-length studio album by the American emo band The Higher, released on May 3, 2005. The album cover is a tribute for Pearl Jam's Vitalogy.- Track listing :#"Diaries"#"Histrionics"#"Rock My Body"#"Prepare for Something Else"...
and EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
s named "Pace Yourself" and "Star is Dead". The current members of the band are Seth Trotter, Doug McCarthy, Reggie Ragan and Jason Centeno.
Their music video for "Insurance?" from On Fire
On Fire (The Higher album)
On Fire is the second full-length studio album by American rock band The Higher, released through Epitaph Records on March 6, 2007.The album's first single was the "Insurance?", followed by the second "Dare".- Track listing :#Insurance?#Guts...
has received moderate rotation on college-oriented video programming, such as MTVu
MtvU
mtvU is a division of Viacom's MTV Networks which produces a 24-hour television channel that is available on more than 750 college and university campuses across the United States, as well as several digital cable packages...
. The video was shot in Las Vegas and features the band performing and playing casino
Casino
In modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...
games with dancers.
They signed with Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records is a Hollywood, California based independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. The label was originally "just a logo and a P.O. box" created in the 1980s for the purpose of selling Bad Religion records, but has evolved into a large independent record...
and began making pop records, including a cover of Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo
Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
's "Closer". Some believe that since then, they have lost their older punk sound heard on Histrionics and Star is Dead.
In 2002, performing under their previous name September Star, The Higher defeated other local bands including Local 15, Absent Minded, Jr. Anti Sex League, and Halfway to win video recording time with VH1 in the first annual Las Vegas Bike Rack Battles. They frequently performed at local venues like the Huntridge and Smoothie King.
In February 2008, the band announced that founding member; Tom Oakes is out of the band releasing these statements:
Official band statement: "The Higher regrets to inform everyone that due to personal and creative issues, Tom Oakes has decided to take leave from the band. We wish him the best in his future projects. The Higher will continue on and will perform at all dates posted. The Higher wishes to thank all their fans for their understanding, support and love during this time and hopes to see you on tour."
Tom Oakes: "To all of you, I want to thank all of you for what you have done for this band. I am personally shaken about this, but not destroyed. The band is very adamant about continuing on and I have nothing but the most faith in the world that they will not only continue, but succeed. If any of you have any questions, I am available to speak further. Thank you all again and look forward to a successful 2008!".
In April 2008, The Higher completed their first ever UK tour, supporting Elliot Minor
Elliot Minor
Elliot Minor are a classically influenced rock band from York, England. The group consists of Alex Davies , Ed Minton , Dan Hetherton and Ed Hetherton .-History and formation: 2000-2006 :...
for 8 dates alongside openers Furthest Drive Home
Furthest Drive Home
Furthest Drive Home were a three 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, alongside The Used, Killswitch Engage and Funeral For A Friend...
.
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 November of 2009 McCarthy left the band for personal issues and in October 2010 Evans left The Higher to pursue his own musical interests.
Discography
| Date of Release | Title | Label | U.S. Heatseekers Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 28, 2003 | Star Is Dead | Fiddler Fiddler Records Fiddler Records was a small independent record label serving as the launching pad for several artists seminal to the pop, punk and emo genres. Starting as the brainchild of 16 year old entrepreneur Amy Fleisher in 1996, the label became well known for its early releases from marquee artists... |
- |
| May 3, 2005 | Histrionics | - | |
| March 6, 2007 | On Fire On Fire (The Higher album) On Fire is the second full-length studio album by American rock band The Higher, released through Epitaph Records on March 6, 2007.The album's first single was the "Insurance?", followed by the second "Dare".- Track listing :#Insurance?#Guts... |
Epitaph Epitaph Records Epitaph Records is a Hollywood, California based independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. The label was originally "just a logo and a P.O. box" created in the 1980s for the purpose of selling Bad Religion records, but has evolved into a large independent record... |
38 |
| June 23, 2009 | It's Only Natural It's Only Natural (The Higher album) It's Only Natural is the third full-length studio album by American pop rock band The Higher, released on June 23, 2009.-Track listing:#"Try Again" — 3:31#"Other Options" — 3:35#"Undertaker" — 3:01#"It's Only Natural" — 3:15... |
Album appearances
| Year | Song | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | "Rock My Body" | Music from Degrassi: The Next Generation |