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{{Short description|English rock group from Manchester}}
{{about|the British rock band|the street in Oxford|High Street, Oxford|the Wildstorm superhero|The High (comics)|other uses|High (disambiguation)}}
{{about|the British rock band|the street in Oxford|High Street, Oxford|other uses|High (disambiguation)}}
{{distinguish|The Higher}}
{{distinguish|The Higher}}
{{Refimprove|date=June 2020}}
{{Refimprove|date=June 2020}}
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|caption =
|caption =
|background = group_or_band
|background = group_or_band
|origin = [[Manchester]], England, UK
|origin = [[Manchester]], England
|genre = [[Alternative rock]], [[psychedelic rock]], [[Madchester]]/[[baggy]]
|genre = [[Alternative rock]], [[psychedelic rock]], [[Madchester]], [[baggy]]
|years_active = 1989–1993, 2015–present
|years_active = 1989–1993, 2015–present
|label = [[London Records|London]]
|label = [[London Records|London]]
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The band was formed in 1989 by former Turning Blue singer John Matthews, along with former [[Buzzcocks F.O.C.]] members Andy Couzens ([[guitar]], also formerly of [[The Stone Roses]] and pre-Roses bands The Patrol and Waterfront),<ref>{{cite web|last=Robbins|first=Ira |url=http://www.trouserpress.com/entry.php?a=high|title=The High - ''Somewhere Soon''|publisher=[[Trouser Press]]}}</ref> Simon Davies ([[Bass guitar|bass]]), and drummer Chris Goodwin (also formerly of the Waterfront as well as the [[Inspiral Carpets]]), when [[Steve Diggle]] left Buzzcocks F.O.C. to reform the [[Buzzcocks]].<ref name="Strong">{{cite book|last=Strong|first=Martin C.|date=1999|title=The Great Alternative & Indie Discography|publisher=Canongate|ISBN=0-86241-913-1}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kolumn.co.uk/thehigh/biography.htm|title=The High - Biography|website=Kolumn.co.uk}}</ref>
The band was formed in 1989 by former Turning Blue singer John Matthews, along with former [[Buzzcocks F.O.C.]] members Andy Couzens ([[guitar]], also formerly of [[The Stone Roses]] and pre-Roses bands The Patrol and Waterfront),<ref>{{cite web|last=Robbins|first=Ira |url=http://www.trouserpress.com/entry.php?a=high|title=The High - ''Somewhere Soon''|publisher=[[Trouser Press]]}}</ref> Simon Davies ([[Bass guitar|bass]]), and drummer Chris Goodwin (also formerly of the Waterfront as well as the [[Inspiral Carpets]]), when [[Steve Diggle]] left Buzzcocks F.O.C. to reform the [[Buzzcocks]].<ref name="Strong">{{cite book|last=Strong|first=Martin C.|date=1999|title=The Great Alternative & Indie Discography|publisher=Canongate|ISBN=0-86241-913-1}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kolumn.co.uk/thehigh/biography.htm|title=The High - Biography|website=Kolumn.co.uk}}</ref>


They were signed by [[London Records]] (who would sign a number of other baggy/Madchester acts such as Camden's [[Flowered Up]] around the same time), who put out The High's debut album in 1990 (the album, ''Somewhere Soon'', peaked at number 59 in the UK Albums chart).<ref name="UK"/> The band also had three minor [[UK Singles Chart]] hits in 1990 before breaking into the top 30 in 1991 with a revamped version of their debut single, the [[Martin Hannett]]-produced "Box Set Go".<ref name="Strong" /><ref name="raggett">{{cite web|last=Raggett|first=Ned|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/somewhere-soon-mw0000317260|title=''Somewhere Soon'' Review|website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref> However, London Records was fined £50,000 by the BPI in 1991, for suspected chart hyping in the UK Singles chart in regards to their single "More",<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/into-the-limelight-by-any-means-necessary-1319526.html|title=Into the limelight by any means necessary|date=23 October 2011|website=The Independent|first=Lucy|last=O'Brien}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/what-s-cookin-1253809.html|title=What's cookin'?|date=23 October 2011|website=The Independent|first=John|last=McCready}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/the-numbers-game-is-up-1319973.html|title=The numbers game is up|date=23 October 2011|website=The Independent|first=Meg|last=Carter}}</ref> with the suspicion that their chart position may have been bought by the record company and not due to fans purchasing the record. In addition to this, the Madchester scene started to lose favour with the critics (who had moved on to covering new forms of dance music and the Seattle grunge scene) and so the band's later releases failed to chart. The band split up in 1993.<ref name="Strong" />
They were signed by [[London Records]] (who would sign a number of other baggy/Madchester acts such as Camden's [[Flowered Up]] around the same time), who put out The High's debut album in 1990 (the album, ''Somewhere Soon'', peaked at number 59 in the UK Albums chart).<ref name="UK"/> The band also had three minor [[UK Singles Chart]] hits in 1990 before breaking into the top 30 in 1991 with a revamped version of their debut single, the [[Martin Hannett]]-produced "Box Set Go".<ref name="Strong" /><ref name="raggett">{{cite web|last=Raggett|first=Ned|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/somewhere-soon-mw0000317260|title=''Somewhere Soon'' Review|website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref> However, London Records was fined £50,000 by the BPI in 1991, for suspected chart hyping in the UK Singles chart in regards to their single "More",<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/into-the-limelight-by-any-means-necessary-1319526.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/into-the-limelight-by-any-means-necessary-1319526.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Into the limelight by any means necessary|date=23 October 2011|website=The Independent|first=Lucy|last=O'Brien}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/what-s-cookin-1253809.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/what-s-cookin-1253809.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=What's cookin'?|date=23 October 2011|website=The Independent|first=John|last=McCready}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/the-numbers-game-is-up-1319973.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/the-numbers-game-is-up-1319973.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=The numbers game is up|date=23 October 2011|website=The Independent|first=Meg|last=Carter}}</ref> with the suspicion that their chart position may have been bought by the record company and not due to fans purchasing the record. In addition to this, the Madchester scene started to lose favour with the critics (who had moved on to covering new forms of dance music and the Seattle grunge scene) and so the band's later releases failed to chart. The band split up in 1993.<ref name="Strong" />


John Matthews and Chris Goodwin went on to form the group One Summer, with Manchester musicians Stephen Fitzpatrick (guitar) and Carl Wolstenholme (bass). One Summer worked with Factory Records group [[A Certain Ratio]] and recorded a demo for the label before it went into administration.
John Matthews and Chris Goodwin went on to form the group One Summer, with Manchester musicians Stephen Fitzpatrick (guitar) and Carl Wolstenholme (bass). One Summer worked with Factory Records group [[A Certain Ratio]] and recorded a demo for the label before it went into administration.
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! Album
! Album
! Label
! Label
! style="width:45px;"|<sup>[[UK Album Chart|UK]]</sup><br><ref name="UK">{{cite web|title=HIGH - full Official Chart History|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/26304/high/|website=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=24 October 2021}}</ref>
! style="width:45px;"|<small>[[UK Album Chart|UK]]</small><br><ref name="UK">{{cite web|title=HIGH - full Official Chart History|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/26304/high/|website=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=24 October 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
| 1990
| 1990
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| Vinyl Revival
| Vinyl Revival
| align=center | —
| align=center | —
|-
|-
| colspan="4" style="text-align:center; font-size:9pt;"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart.
|}
|}


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! scope="col" rowspan="2"|Single
! scope="col" rowspan="2"|Single
|-
|-
! style="width:45px;"|<sup>[[UK Singles Chart|UK]]</sup><br><ref name="UK"/>
! style="width:45px;"|<small>[[UK Singles Chart|UK]]</small><br><ref name="UK"/>
|-
|-
|rowspan="3"| 1990
|rowspan="3"| 1990
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| align=center | —
| align=center | —
|-
|-
| colspan="4" style="text-align:center; font-size:8pt;"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart.
| colspan="4" style="text-align:center; font-size:9pt;"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart.
|}
|}


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{{DEFAULTSORT:High, The}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:High, The}}
[[Category:Musical groups from Manchester]]
[[Category:Rock music groups from Manchester]]
[[Category:Baggy groups]]
[[Category:Madchester groups]]
[[Category:Madchester groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1989]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1989]]

Latest revision as of 22:51, 15 October 2024

This article is about the British rock band. For the street in Oxford, see High Street, Oxford. For other uses, see High (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with The Higher.

The High
OriginManchester, England
GenresAlternative rock, psychedelic rock, Madchester, baggy
Years active1989–1993, 2015–present
LabelsLondon
MembersAndy Couzens
John Matthews
Tony Meehan
Richard Thomas
Scott Parkinson
Past membersSimon Davies
Chris Goodwin
Jack Couzens

The High are an English rock group from Manchester, whose sound combines alternative rock with a 1960s pop/psychedelic guitar sound.

History

[edit]

The band was formed in 1989 by former Turning Blue singer John Matthews, along with former Buzzcocks F.O.C. members Andy Couzens (guitar, also formerly of The Stone Roses and pre-Roses bands The Patrol and Waterfront),[1] Simon Davies (bass), and drummer Chris Goodwin (also formerly of the Waterfront as well as the Inspiral Carpets), when Steve Diggle left Buzzcocks F.O.C. to reform the Buzzcocks.[2][3]

They were signed by London Records (who would sign a number of other baggy/Madchester acts such as Camden's Flowered Up around the same time), who put out The High's debut album in 1990 (the album, Somewhere Soon, peaked at number 59 in the UK Albums chart).[4] The band also had three minor UK Singles Chart hits in 1990 before breaking into the top 30 in 1991 with a revamped version of their debut single, the Martin Hannett-produced "Box Set Go".[2][5] However, London Records was fined £50,000 by the BPI in 1991, for suspected chart hyping in the UK Singles chart in regards to their single "More",[6][7][8] with the suspicion that their chart position may have been bought by the record company and not due to fans purchasing the record. In addition to this, the Madchester scene started to lose favour with the critics (who had moved on to covering new forms of dance music and the Seattle grunge scene) and so the band's later releases failed to chart. The band split up in 1993.[2]

John Matthews and Chris Goodwin went on to form the group One Summer, with Manchester musicians Stephen Fitzpatrick (guitar) and Carl Wolstenholme (bass). One Summer worked with Factory Records group A Certain Ratio and recorded a demo for the label before it went into administration.

Reformation

[edit]

The High reformed in early 2015, with John Matthews and Andy Couzens the only original members; they are joined by Tony Meehan (bass), Jack Couzens (drums), and Richard Thomas (keyboards).

The new line-up headlined at the Gigantic Festival in Manchester at the Academy 2 on 23 May 2015, as their comeback gig and have played a number of headline shows since.

Recent work

[edit]

The band has also been writing and recording new material, and in June 2016 released their first single in 25 years, "Kiss the Sun" on their own label Thin Line Productions.

Warner Brothers re-released their debut album Somewhere Soon in June 2016, and a long-awaited album was due for release in early 2017.

In 2016, new drummer Jack Couzens left due to schedule clashes and was succeeded by Scott Parkinson.

The High have recently appeared on Jon Savage's compilation, Perfect Motion - Jon Savage's Secret History of Second-Wave Psychedelia 1988-93.

In 2020 The High released The Martin Hannett Sessions, a collection of previously unreleased demos, as part of Record Store Day.

Discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]
Year Album Label UK
[4]
1990 Somewhere Soon London Records 59
1992 Hype —
2020 The Martin Hannett Sessions Vinyl Revival —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Singles

[edit]
Year Single
UK
[4]
1990 "Box Set Go" 28
"Up and Down" 53
"Take Your Time" 56
1991 "More..." 67
1992 "Better Left Untold" —
1993 "Sweet Liberty" —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Robbins, Ira. "The High - Somewhere Soon". Trouser Press.
  2. ^ a b c Strong, Martin C. (1999). The Great Alternative & Indie Discography. Canongate. ISBN 0-86241-913-1.
  3. ^ "The High - Biography". Kolumn.co.uk.
  4. ^ a b c "HIGH - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  5. ^ Raggett, Ned. "Somewhere Soon Review". AllMusic.
  6. ^ O'Brien, Lucy (23 October 2011). "Into the limelight by any means necessary". The Independent. Archived from the original on 18 June 2022.
  7. ^ McCready, John (23 October 2011). "What's cookin'?". The Independent. Archived from the original on 18 June 2022.
  8. ^ Carter, Meg (23 October 2011). "The numbers game is up". The Independent. Archived from the original on 18 June 2022.
[edit]
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