HiGE have been putting out their brand of, hmmm, experimental classic rock (I hate trying to describe the sound of a band like this) since the turn of the century (doesn’t it sound weird to talk about the early 2000’s like that?). Really, this is a band that, as of lately, defies description. You need to experience them live and participate in the show to “get it”. Their stage shows are like theatre, with costumes, extras wearing huge papier mache rabbit heads, videographers, day-glo paint and matching light scenes, and lots and lots of swirling digital delay effects and loop sampling. It’s not “out there” experimental, their songs are straight ahead pop-rock tunes, they just like to add a lot of studio value to them. In fact, frontman and guitar player Hisashi Suto at times can sound eerily like a Japanese Liam Gallagher (in the sound of his voice, not his whinging and whining) and you can’t get more pedestrian than that.

Shawn saw them at Fuji Rock ‘07 first thing on Saturday morning at the Green Stage and thought that besides the tripped out intro, they were pretty straight ahead rock n rollers. Another Fujirocker deemed them “throwback grunge”. You’ll have to make up your own mind.

They play the Red Marquee on Sunday at Fuji Rock, and that will be a great place to enjoy what has now become a pretty trippy live performance.

Check out their promo vid for “D.I.Y.H.i.G.E.” and tell me if doesn’t make you feel stoned:

The PV above is from their latest album of the same name (which you can buy here). It’s full of lots of fuzzed out guitar and heavy post production effects, but it is not nearly as energetic as their shows, where the personality of the band, and in particular Suto, really shines (for the Oasis sound comparisons, check out “Home”[“家”] and “Meat Pie From Russia”[“ミートパイ フロム ロシア”], track 2 and track 5, respectively).

If you are in Tokyo, you can catch them this Sunday (May 24) at Studio Coast. Information is on their official site: www.higerock.com. See you there.

Jeff