Have you ever championed a young independent/unsigned band seeing their profile slowly rise to the point you want them to succeed like your life depended on it? What if you also became friends with that band? That band for me were Hitechjet. Having known some of the boys prevously, we cemented our friendship when we all travelled to Leeds to play and win the inaugural “Punk Rock 5-a-side” football tournament which was just as fun and messy as it sounds. That evening they played the first of many blistering sets I would have the privilege to witness.
The band amusingly described their sound as “Afghan Whigs, The Wildhearts, Hot Water Music and Alkaline Trio locked together in a room trying to build a spaceship with just a screwdriver, a few nails and a washing machine“. Each member brought their own blend of screams, harmonies, riffs and grooves coming together Like a 80s cartoon robot to form an invincible 5 headed monster. Don’t get me wrong, HTJ‘s gruff vs. angelic vocals and unpolished sound might not be to everyone’s liking but that is also part of the appeal.
Many of the tracks that would eventually make their ‘If You Take Anything EP‘ and the full length ‘600 Miles From…‘ had established since themselves as a live favourite long before I actually knew the words and these highlights such as ‘The Score‘, ‘3am On The Internet’ and ‘If My Best Is Not Enough’ represent everything that I loved about the band and their sound.
The bands progress hit that familiar British band glass ceiling at some point and they uttered those dreaded words “indefinite hiatus”. Do yourself a favour and buy their releases on In At The Deep End Records.
mp3’s:
Hitechjet – 3am On The Internet
Hitechjet – The Score (Original Version)
