HiFi REACTOR have been thrilling venues and punters around Sydney, Australia with their addictive mix of blistering energy, great songs and pure entertainment since early 2006. With driving rhythms, shredding guitars and vocal melodies that will take up permanent residence in your brain, this dedicated group of young men have successfully found the exciting blend of swaggering rock smarts, classic punk sensibility and true pop hooks!
The boys hit the studio with acclaimed Engineer/Producer Anton Hagop (Powderfinger/Silverchair) in July of this year, resulting in their debut 6 track EP “RIDE THIS SOUND”. The results of which the public will see, and hear include 4 brand spanking new songs “25 HITS”, “TUESDAY”, “LEAN ON MY SHOULDER” and “GLUE”, and a reworking of their initial double A- side tracks. Two songs were plucked from these recordings and made it all the way to the Top 10 in this years “Music Oz” competition. With “Tuesday”, narrowly missing a final 5 nomination in the Pop category and “Hold On” featuring prominently in the Alternative section. “25 Hits” has also been chosen as the first single in a well regarded compilation CD out of L.A and the song has been shipped to around 50 college radio stations across the USA, thus hoping to build a profile for them overseas. Surely a sign of things to come for this recording, they intend to capitalise on this exposure and release the full EP early in 2008. One can sense that 2008 will be a huge year for HiFi REACTOR!
How did the band and it's name come about?
The band came about in the usual way guitarist seeks singer through the classifieds, the initial meeting talking about influences and then the inevitable first jam. We more or less decided to play together because we liked each other....the music thing followed. The band name came about, as a fluke…as just about every decent name has already been taken. We basically just threw a whole bunch of words together and chose the one that a) hadn’t been taken and b) didn’t sound so bad that it couldn’t be used!
Tell us about the band, how would you best describe your sound and who are your influences?
The HFR sound is rooted in alternative rock and roll, but has a wide range of influences. I guess people say we are a bit of a car crash between the Stones, STP and some punk influenced bands like Radio Birdman. We love a good ballad as well….you can hear some Oasis or U2 squeezing through. I guess we like to surprise.
What do you think sets your music apart from that of other bands?
I guess the energy as we run on adrenalin…and it helps having a psychotic energizer bunny on Drums (Saul) pushing us. Plus our show and the way we conduct ourselves onstage…it’s not good enough to just play the songs. If people are going to part with their $10 to come and see you, you better turn up and play your guts out. Plus I am ridiculously good looking!
What will be "success" as far as the band is concerned?
For us it’s about being able to play our music and put as much time into it as possible. Giving up our day jobs, touring and feeling that whenever we want to record, we can is also a main priority. The industry is complete bollocks, and it seems that venues and promoters are only looking for the next pre-pubescent fad band that they can exploit for 5 minutes, and with us we have never been at the hub of current fashion, which of course only lasts for a short period. We see longevity in what we are doing.
What gives you the most satisfaction, writing/recording an album or playing a live gig?
Playing live is the greatest honor…I’m still very thankful that someone will pay me $25, shout me a free shandy and allow me to play our songs for the public. That’s one thing you can never lose sight of, even after your 10,000th gig. But on the other side of this is if you can guarantee a certain amount of people in a venue, they’ll give you a gig no matter how crap you are. I mean if you get 100 people to a show, you can shit in a bucket and they’ll give you another gig….it really doesn’t make any sense!
Oh and we like recording too…it’s great to hear yours songs come to life!
Is there a song in your collection now that makes you proud to think we/I wrote that?
Yeah there are two songs. First one is “25 Hits”…to me it’s the perfect HFR song. It has an energy, groove and attitude that I feel very comfortable with. It’s also a heavy mother f*cker of a song which a lot of people don’t initially pick up….and I like that. The second one is a ballad called “Tuesday”…which really is a departure for us, and is a very slick recording indeed. I remember when we finished it in the studio the Producer (Anton Hagop) turned to me and said…”Dave, I think we hit a hit single”. It was a nice feeling, and the song has an emotional element which I am really proud of.
If there was a song I wish I’d written it would probably be “Gimme Shelter” by the Stones….It doesn’t matter how many times I hear it!
Any thoughts on the current state of the music industry?
Current state? Complete garbage! I mean seriously we live in a disgustingly disposable society….Idol has robbed so many talented musicians of recording opportunities. If one more person says, “Oh you’re in a band….you should go on Idol”…I swear I will bury them alive! We also have a whole generation of kids growing up now thinking punk is “Good Charlotte”…I mean what the f*ck happened along the way? I cant turn on the radio anymore, which is sad…and we need the radio for exposure. And don’t even get me started on the venues. Mind you it’s not all negative, these climates do tend to breed a new generation of angry and hungry musicians and bands….I cant wait to hear what’s next…I’m ready for the next Grunge!
What does the future hold for HiFi Reactor?
I am an optimist…I believe if we keep sticking it out then we will be rewarded. We are focused towards writing good songs and playing good shows…and in the end, that’s all we have control over. We now have a sh*t hot EP to get out to the world, and we are confident that if the right people hear it…we are as good a chance as anyone.
Watch this space people……..be good to your bartender…and come watch us play sometime!
Thank you Ball Boys!
