Nineties favourites back in the groove

ON the comeback trail . . . The High

MUSIC EXTRA: WITH a new single on the way, gig dates booked and possibly even a summer tour, Nineties favourites The High are gearing up for a resurgent 2016.

It’s coming up to 12 months since the band — original members John Matthews (vocals) and Andy Couzens (guitar), now joined by Tony Meehan (bass) and Jack Couzens (drums) — first reformed after more than 20 years to feature at Manchester Academy’s Gigantic Indie All-Dayer festival.

The “Box Set Go” stars smashed that show and have since successfully returned to the Academy for a headline gig in December. Now the re-energised band is feeling the benefit of hard work in the practice room and the guys are almost ready to release new material.

The High has been recording at ex-Bad Lieutenant star Jake Evans’ Big Red Studios in Macclesfield, and the boys have been delighted with their work.

Frontman Matthews, a former Radclyffe School pupil who lived in Shaw, said: “We had a natural break over Christmas, and Jack was away touring with Blossoms for a while, but we’ve been writing new songs, rehearsing and keeping it all going.

“We’ve been in the studio and recorded one track for an ‘A’ side, Kiss the Sun, on what will hopefully be a limited edition seven-inch single, which will also be available for download. We played it at the Academy gig in December and it has fitted into our set really well.”

The High plays Stockport Plaza on March 30 as part of an all-day celebration of the town’s former Strawberry Studios (Clint Boon will be the host/MC). And they have been booked for the Shiiine On Festival in Minehead in November. Matthews is hoping a UK tour can be sandwiched between those dates.

“We’re looking at maybe a couple of festivals too, and possibly even putting a show on of our own.

“Things are a little up in the air at present, but we’ll look at a few things.

“Now we’ve been confirmed to play the Friday night at the Shiiine On festival, we’ve got the Stockport Plaza date, and other things are moving.