Fire Drill Review:
This is probably one of the most bizarre meshings of previous bands but The Hi-Nobles are made up of Bay Area musicians from '70s punks The Avengers and the metal group Mordred to release Shake's 60's inspired garage & soul rock n roll. The record brings 100% energy and dips into bluesy undertones, which keeps the album grounded and from overreaching into a straightforward garage sound. The Hi-Nobles don't have any new cards up their sleeves when it comes to this style but the group totally makes up for it with song substance, energy and keeping your foot tapping throughout the entire record.
3.5 /5
Friday, October 9, 2009
'Shake' review at Frantikmag.
You got that 60’s soul in you? Well, no worries, The Hi-Nobles will kick your soul into high gear and get your soul shakin’ like you were back in the glory days of 60’s garage soul funk! Shake! is the Hi-Nobles debut from Zaentz Records which involves the unlikely pairing of metal/punk/thrash vets Scott Holderby of Mordred and Greg Ingraham of Avengers.
The band is rounded out by Henry Austin on bass, Guy Alvarez on drums and Jeff Hashfield on keys who adds that signature, organ-drenched, sound of The Hi-Nobles. Fusing a very potent form of mod/garage/soul rock with enthusiastic vocals and up-tempo jaunts, The Hi-Nobles are taking you back to a time when garage soul music was the only thing that mattered. “Soul Sister” gets the party underway and blasts off with a raucous romp, fit to get any booties shakin’. Garage rockin’ “Ain’t No Sin” brings the rock out of the garage and into the dance floor with a super groovy take on garage soul. “Stings A Bit” sees the band performing a funked out jam led by an organ riff that grooves with a capital G. Title track “Shake!” will definitely set your souls on fire and will most likely have you shakin’ up a storm before you know it. Radio ready “International Playboys” blows up with Scott’s soul-testifying lyrics and vocals coupled by the band’s fantastic arrangement. “Miss Addy” is all about Greg’s fantastic guitar work and Henry’s drop dead bass noodling which really makes the song come alive. The Hi-Nobles have definitely hit a high note with this record. A few people may dismiss the record because of the musical style but garage soul music will never go out of date just as long as there’s band’s like The Hi-Nobles, who do it right. The musical attainability and substance of Shake! is most genuine and spells out good times, track-per-track. Shake!, as the album title suggests, will shake your soul to the core and get your two left feet dancing in no time. There’s enough high energy soul and funk on this album for a whole generation. So what are you waiting for? Revive your soul and get Shake!-in!
Rating:3/5
By: Gian Erguiza
The band is rounded out by Henry Austin on bass, Guy Alvarez on drums and Jeff Hashfield on keys who adds that signature, organ-drenched, sound of The Hi-Nobles. Fusing a very potent form of mod/garage/soul rock with enthusiastic vocals and up-tempo jaunts, The Hi-Nobles are taking you back to a time when garage soul music was the only thing that mattered. “Soul Sister” gets the party underway and blasts off with a raucous romp, fit to get any booties shakin’. Garage rockin’ “Ain’t No Sin” brings the rock out of the garage and into the dance floor with a super groovy take on garage soul. “Stings A Bit” sees the band performing a funked out jam led by an organ riff that grooves with a capital G. Title track “Shake!” will definitely set your souls on fire and will most likely have you shakin’ up a storm before you know it. Radio ready “International Playboys” blows up with Scott’s soul-testifying lyrics and vocals coupled by the band’s fantastic arrangement. “Miss Addy” is all about Greg’s fantastic guitar work and Henry’s drop dead bass noodling which really makes the song come alive. The Hi-Nobles have definitely hit a high note with this record. A few people may dismiss the record because of the musical style but garage soul music will never go out of date just as long as there’s band’s like The Hi-Nobles, who do it right. The musical attainability and substance of Shake! is most genuine and spells out good times, track-per-track. Shake!, as the album title suggests, will shake your soul to the core and get your two left feet dancing in no time. There’s enough high energy soul and funk on this album for a whole generation. So what are you waiting for? Revive your soul and get Shake!-in!
Rating:3/5
By: Gian Erguiza
Hi-Nobles album review.
The Hi-Noble's eagerly awaited debut record, 'Shake', received the following review at Snobmusic:
'September 29th is the new release date for Shake, the new studio album from The Hi-Nobles. The band is comprised of veteran musicians from the Bay Area scene, who bring backgrounds ranging from punk to metal to straight up rock.
The album not surprisingly sounds nothing like those styles. Sure a punk rock bassline can be heard on tracks like "Miss Addy", but the influences are subtle. Rather, the inspiration for Shake seems to be pub rock and blues rock.
A song like "International Playboys" (I guess Morrissey wasn't the last of the famous ones after all) has more in common with the Blues Brothers Revue than they do with The Avengers. Moreover, both in sound and theme "Big Black Car" will have you drawing comparisons to the Cream classic "Politician".
It may not be groundbreaking, but for balls-to-the-wall rock, The Hi-Nobles strike all the right chords.
Best tracks: "Miss Addy", "Soul Sister"
Track listing for Shake:
Soul Sister
Ain't No Sin
Big Black Car
Stings a Bit
Shake
International Playboys
Red Eye
Shelter
Love Don't Come Around
Miss Addy
Don't Go
Gold Tipped Rhino
The album not surprisingly sounds nothing like those styles. Sure a punk rock bassline can be heard on tracks like "Miss Addy", but the influences are subtle. Rather, the inspiration for Shake seems to be pub rock and blues rock.
A song like "International Playboys" (I guess Morrissey wasn't the last of the famous ones after all) has more in common with the Blues Brothers Revue than they do with The Avengers. Moreover, both in sound and theme "Big Black Car" will have you drawing comparisons to the Cream classic "Politician".
It may not be groundbreaking, but for balls-to-the-wall rock, The Hi-Nobles strike all the right chords.
Best tracks: "Miss Addy", "Soul Sister"
Track listing for Shake:
Soul Sister
Ain't No Sin
Big Black Car
Stings a Bit
Shake
International Playboys
Red Eye
Shelter
Love Don't Come Around
Miss Addy
Don't Go
Gold Tipped Rhino
Rating: 7.0/10
Underground Empire article...
A Stefan Glas sent a Mordred article via email from UNDERGROUND EMPIRE
Monday, July 27, 2009
Interview with Gannon Hall
Check out this brand new interview I conducted with Gannon in July 2009.
1) Firstly, since Mordred split, what have you been up to ?
After Mordred, I switched gears and become involved in technology and interactive marketing. I'd always been into computers and programming so it was a pretty natural transition for me. I founded an interactive agency '97 that i ran until 2003, at which point I teamed up with a larger marketing communications agency, where i worked until 2007. Now I'm working as chief operating officer for a new media tech start-up here in SF. I was living in NYC for a few years and moved back to SF about a year and a half ago.
2) How do you recall the Mordred days ?
Mostly great memories. A big part of my youth. I was 17 years old when I joined the band. Just a kid. I learned a lot that I still put in practice today. I also learned that life as a musician ultimately wasn't for me, and so I chose a different path.
3) For me 'In This Life' is one of the greatest records ever made, how do you rate the albums the band made ?
I would rate them in this order:In This Life, Vision, Next Room, Fool's Game
4) For me, Mordred without Scott was too hard to accept, what were the band attempting with 'The Next Room' and why did you eventually split up ?
I agree, Mordred without Scott just wasn't Mordred. That was the biggest mistake we made, although at the time Scott's departure was probably inevitable. Scott was a total original and probably a huge contributor to our unique sound. Somehow we lost sight of that. That was a long time ago and I haven't spent much time thinking about it since then. But if I remember correctly, at the time we wanted to make a heavier, more cohesive album, and Scott was becoming increasingly less interested in heavy music. The bottom line is that the record company simply wouldn't release the album Scott wanted to make-- they absolutely hated the demos we sent them. In some ways they were right, the new songs had fragments of good ideas, but didn't totally work. They were unfinished sketches and lacked focus. Scott however was uncompromising and would have none of the label's feedback. The other guys in the band, we wanted to continue as Mordred and didn't see how we could do that without capitulating to at least some of the label's feedback. In retrospect though, Scott was right. We should have figured out a way to continue, even without a label. We should have ignored everyone's opinions other than our own. Not sure how much longer I would have lasted personally, but regardless of my involvement, if Mordred had continued with Scott I'm sure some good music would have come of it.
5) Mordred were always ahead of their time, but they got lumped in with the sickly 'funk metal' trend. How well/bad did that affect the band ?
Of course today that would never happen, as audiences are more comfortable with musical diversity. In the late 80s and early 90s all music was labeled. Even so called alternative bands had a very specific "alternative" sound. We hated being labeled funk metal, but we were also (at least I was), equally embarrassed to be labeled just a metal band.
6) Having a DJ was monumental, but how hard was it getting the band accepted in metal circles ?
We didn't identify with that scene at all. I thought it was ridiculous actually. The music we were creating was honest. We were playing exactly what we wanted to play without regard for trends or scenes. This was very much a reflection of who we were and where we came from. We were a diverse band from a diverse city. Our influences ranged from Joy Division to Iron Maiden to Bad Brains to The Police. Our intro tape to live performances was a William Burroughs monologue! We had very little in common with most of the metal bands and felt a closer affinity to the more experimental bands of the time.
7)I saw Mordred 4 times at The Marquee, how well do you recall those days and recording 'In This Live' ?
We were at the top of our game. I remember those shows very well. Incredibly exciting time.
8) What are the chances of Mordred getting back together for real ?
For me personally there is no chance of doing anything even somewhat serious. But, I'm only the drummer :) I'd love to see the line-up with Scott and Danny back together.
9) Do you have any Mordred photo's to share ?
I don't unfortunately. I wasn't a good record keeper.
10) How much do you hear the sound of Mordred in today's bands ?
I definitely hear it in bands like Linkin Park and a few others. Although I doubt those guys ever heard Mordred. Most likely they simply share a similar philosophy and set of influences.
11) What stuff are you listening to nowadays ?
My music taste continues to be eclectic but I suppose I mostly listen to what the kids these days are calling "indie rock." Bands like Band of Horses, MGMT, M83, Cut Copy, Bon Iver, etc. The only heavy bands I listen to are NIN and Tool.http://www.last.fm/user/gannonh
12) Are you still in touch with ex-Mordred members ?
Not very often, but like a close family, years can go by and when you see each other again it's like no time has past at all. I have tremendous love and respect for everyone in the band.
13)I have a letter from you from around 1994, do you recall sending it ? ha!
I don't. I hope I was nice.
14) What are your thoughts on the Mordred website ?
It's great! Thanks for keeping the memories alive.
15)Any messages for Mordred fans ?
Thanks for all the support over the years.
MANY THANKS TO GANNON FOR AGREEING TO DO THE INTERVIEW.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Mordred members on Facebook.
Scotty, Gannon, Pause and Danny White have Facebook profiles. I took these two photo's from Gannon's photo collection ha! (Thanks Gannon!)
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Interview with Scott Holderby
Scott Holderby has been in touch to talk about all things Hi-Nobles, check out the interview:
1) Scott, the last time we spoke you mentioned that The Hi-Nobles have a record deal. Tell me more.
Scotty: We recently signed a deal with Zaentz Records,and are in the process of mixing the new record...It will be released in 4 months after proper promotion..I'll get an advanced copy for you..
2) How many tracks can we expect on the record and do you have any song titles ?
Scotty: 12 songs on the record, 13 in Japan - 1) Soul Sister 2) Ain't No Sin 3) Big Black Car 4) Stings A Bit 5) Shake Shake Shake 6) International Playboys 7) Red Eye 8) Shelter 9) Love Don't Come Around 10) Miss Addy 11) Don't Go 12) Gold Tipped Rhino
3) Which bands have influenced the Hi-Nobles the most ?
Scotty: The Kinks, The Animals, The Who, Them Otis, Ray Charles, Stax, soul, rare groove, Northern Soul.
4) You've come along way from the days of Mordred. When did you first get into the garage sound ?
Scotty: I first got into it with The Stooges first record...still one of my favourite records. I grew up listening to The Animals, The Kinks, ? & The Mysterians ('60s psych group), Dave Clark 5, Association, and the Zombies with my pops...can I add the Zombies to my forementioned favourites !?
5) Is there a good following for The Hi-Nobles in the US ?
Scotty: Huge....Oh you were being serious ? We're working on it!
6) Are there any plans for you guys to come to the UK ?
Scotty: We plan to come over after this record has been released.
7) How are things going with your other groups HIGH SOCIETY ANGELS and BORSTAL HOLIDAY ?
Scotty: Borstal Holiday record will be finished soon..
8) Do you look back at the Mordred days and wish you were still part of that scene ?
Scotty: I am still part of that scene...Sanguinetti is on his way over right now...!
9) Do you think The Hi-Nobles will get good promotion over here in the UK, as there's quite a psych/garage scene ?
Scotty: I certainly hope so...personally, it's the most important territory. Holderby, I am English...just add alcohol, and you can hear it!
1) Scott, the last time we spoke you mentioned that The Hi-Nobles have a record deal. Tell me more.
Scotty: We recently signed a deal with Zaentz Records,and are in the process of mixing the new record...It will be released in 4 months after proper promotion..I'll get an advanced copy for you..
2) How many tracks can we expect on the record and do you have any song titles ?
Scotty: 12 songs on the record, 13 in Japan - 1) Soul Sister 2) Ain't No Sin 3) Big Black Car 4) Stings A Bit 5) Shake Shake Shake 6) International Playboys 7) Red Eye 8) Shelter 9) Love Don't Come Around 10) Miss Addy 11) Don't Go 12) Gold Tipped Rhino
3) Which bands have influenced the Hi-Nobles the most ?
Scotty: The Kinks, The Animals, The Who, Them Otis, Ray Charles, Stax, soul, rare groove, Northern Soul.
4) You've come along way from the days of Mordred. When did you first get into the garage sound ?
Scotty: I first got into it with The Stooges first record...still one of my favourite records. I grew up listening to The Animals, The Kinks, ? & The Mysterians ('60s psych group), Dave Clark 5, Association, and the Zombies with my pops...can I add the Zombies to my forementioned favourites !?
5) Is there a good following for The Hi-Nobles in the US ?
Scotty: Huge....Oh you were being serious ? We're working on it!
6) Are there any plans for you guys to come to the UK ?
Scotty: We plan to come over after this record has been released.
7) How are things going with your other groups HIGH SOCIETY ANGELS and BORSTAL HOLIDAY ?
Scotty: Borstal Holiday record will be finished soon..
8) Do you look back at the Mordred days and wish you were still part of that scene ?
Scotty: I am still part of that scene...Sanguinetti is on his way over right now...!
9) Do you think The Hi-Nobles will get good promotion over here in the UK, as there's quite a psych/garage scene ?
Scotty: I certainly hope so...personally, it's the most important territory. Holderby, I am English...just add alcohol, and you can hear it!
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