Melodic hardcore punks HIKE THE PEAK have had 6 EP releases so far, with a lot more in-store and out soon enough. A lot more music is ready to go as well as a lot else planned, with this band just wanting everyone to hear it first! The band talks of it all below.
1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.
Hi, I'm Lee. I’ve been playing in melodic punk bands for over 20 years I’ve toured mainland Europe a lot of times and when the covid lockdowns kind put a stop to my full-time band NO CONTEST I realized how much I missed music so instead of wasting my time I started focus a lot on songwriting and recording in my home studio…..Being locked at home sent my mental health a bit haywire so I needed something to focus on….so slowly but surely I began hiding away in my spare room playing my guitar and learning a whole clutch of music programs……My vocal talents are back up vocals at best so I thought id contact a few of my friends that I’ve toured/played shows with in the UK and the euro mainland to see if anyone was interested in adding their vocal talents to the project…..the response back was massively positive. That’s how it started….
Each 2 track ep has been released every 6 weeks since September 2021….and since we’ve emerged from the covid lockdowns the interest from people wanting to get involved in HIKE THE PEAK has been immense. So the project will be continuing as long as people keep listening
2. What’s the origin of the band’s name?
I'm a snowboarder and have been for years. The name derives from riding off piste….if you want to get up higher past where the chairlift stops or your on a mountain with no lifts you walk up to then ride all the way down. Hence you ‘Hike the Peak’
3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
I live in Sheffield, UK. All of the singers are from different countries stretching from Canada to Japan and everywhere in-between. As for the scene in Sheffield there’s a few bands but tbh Leeds, 40 miles up the road has much more of my scene, two bands of note THE HUMAN PROJECT and EAT DEFEAT are two you should definitely seek out Sheffield does have some great live venues from The Corporation which sees a lot of major acts come through down to a good dedicated DIY punk space called the Lughole that offers some great line ups and matinee shows.
4. How would you describe your style?
Style-wise I think we straddle the line of melodic hardcore and skate punk….I’m always after a phat catchy chorus though…that’s the key. Rapid songs though, no ballads in this dojo.
5. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?
Since September 2021 we’ve released 6 eps and have another 4 coming out by next spring. I'm not the most shred level guitar player but I like a fast tempo and always strive to write the catchiest hooks I can….im all about melodies, melodies, melodies.
6. Do you have any new music in the works?
The new ep is due out on Oct 21st 2022 and has 2 more songs. The guest vocalists for those two tracks are John Harcus from Scottish Skatepunk legends PMX and Ace from Japanese melodic punk band SHAMES.
7. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?
Because of the ethos of the band being just myself playing all the instruments with guest vocalists playing a live show will be very tricky! However, if there was a festival where a few of the contributors bands were playing which meant that a few of the people would all be in the same place then obviously it is something that could hopefully make happen one day.
8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?
I have a hard drive full of songs and we will keep going until I either run out of money or don’t have anybody left to approach to sing on those songs.
9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
HIKE THE PEAK are available on ALL digital streaming services and bandcamp etc. Just hit the search bar in your relevant provider, give us a listen and a follow if you want! We will take as much support as we can get being pretty much a one person operation.
10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?
You either like music or you don’t its that simple….in this day and age so much art is throwaway so if someone listens to Hike the Peak and they find a melody or a phrase or a hook that means they want to listen to us again then that’s all I can ask for. Fundamentally that’s what we, as songwriters want the listener to take from it. The list of countries and towns I see on my Spotify information page blows my mind when really I’ve recorded all of this in a home studio and then sent it out into the world and people in all these places can enjoy it. Thanks! Means a lot.
Post a Comment