Higher and higher

Photo: Billy Seagrave

JOHN Matthews and Andy Couzens of The High.

WITH two huge gigs beckoning, more new releases planned and a new drummer in tow, it would appear The High are almost back in business.

It's now more than a quarter of a century (gulp!) since frontman John Matthews and guitarist Andy Couzens guided The High part-way through the hugely popular Madchester era of the late 1980s and early 90s, and with sporadic gigs over the past couple of years, the band have threatened a serious comeback.

However, with new drummer Scott Parkinson drafted in to join bassist Tony Meehan, The High are back and are looking to make a big impact.

To that end, the band headline their own Ruby Lounge show in Manchester on Saturday, November 5 and follow up the weekend after with an appearance at the massive 'Shiiine On' festival at Butlins in Minehead, where they will be joined on the bill by the likes of Echo and the Bunnymen, Shed 7, Black Grape, Cast, and even Oldham's very own Rainkings.

Explaining the decision to put on their own show at the prestigious Ruby Lounge, frontman and former Radclyffe School pupil Matthews said: "We did come up to Oldham to take a look at one or two venues because we did want to do something before Shiiine On, but we opted for the Ruby Lounge in the end.

"I've never actually played the Ruby Lounge before, but I went to a gig recently and I had forgotten about the place.

"We're just looking forward to the two back-to-back weekends now."

There's clearly a head of steam building among The High again after a somewhat stop-start 2016 so far, and Matthews appears keen to take the shows out onto the road again in the New Year.

He added: "We need to pursue the live gigs, and keep recording.

"We all want to keep going, finish off any tracks that aren't yet recorded and maybe get them into some sort of release.

"Whether that's initially like an EP type thing or hopefully an album.

"It's pretty easy to do yourselves these days.

"We've also got a back catalogue we want to get out at some stage - demo versions, different producer versions. There's lots of material - we just need to collate it all and get it out there.

"I'd like to go out on tour again as well maybe.

"That was hard work years ago, both physically and mentally, but now I think you can go out there and give it your all and control how you do it a little bit better."

Meanwhile, Matthews revealed he recently enjoyed a chance meeting with another former Madchester star from Oldham, Inspiral Carpets and Rainkings frontman Steve Holt.

The High man said: "It was funny really. At our rehearsal rooms (in Stockport) they just write on an A4 sheet of paper which bands are in which room, and as we walked in this night I just noticed the Rainkings were in the opposite room."