The High Court

Whisper To The Clouds

This song was inspired by the shootings that happened in Amish Country in the summer of ‘06. It's pretty disgusting but basically, an ordinary milkman lost his mind, ran into a school, lined up a bunch of girls and shot them. He then shot himself. I was REALLY bothered by it. There were more shootings right around that time, and there was a shooting attempt foiled down in South Jersey. Ya know, I'm not even against killing. Like if someone was trying to kill me, I would definitely try to kill them first. If someone physically hurt someone I loved and I had a weapon, I'd probably snap and who knows. But come the fuck on. ..........the other part of the song was to the families of the victims. The news makes it almost cool to do this shit in a way that they broadcast how bad it is to shoot someone and how it’s such a tragedy. When certain things are seen on TV, it doesn't seem like such a big deal because people are numb to it. The media should have SOME respect for personal shit. I almost regret recording the song for this very reason. -JB

2 Much Love for 1 Woman. A simple misspelling changes everything. With a questionable song title that doesn’t fail to raise eyebrows, The High Court avoid beating around the bush. They tackle the issue in all its forbidden glory: a good old-fashioned ménage-a-trois.

Exploits aside, the band have not been swept away in the glitz of sex and drugs (The HIGH Court. THC. So, maybe they smoke a little pot.). Rock and roll, on the other hand, is another story entirely. Puppet Strings, the band’s debut release from I Surrender Records, boasts a unique vision and an impressive repertoire of songs that range from the dancefloor anthems to black-light psychedelia.

But first, how it started: Guitarist Lou Cuello, drummer Denny Carvell, and bassist Kyle ”Shell” Shellhammer decided to return to their rock roots after touring together in a variety of metal bands. Without a singer or a rhythm guitarist, the three sought out an unconventional last resort in the form of an advertisement on Craigslist. The response? One message from JB that simply stated, “I’ll sing my ass off.” The band now had a singer, and when JB brought guitarist Mike Matranga along, The High Court were complete.

In a living room in Atco, New Jersey, it only took one rehearsal to know they had formed something huge. Regardless of their various music backgrounds, The High Court had a shared goal in mind: creating the music they loved and bringing their fans along for the ride.

“If you come out to a show, talk to us. If you have a party, we want to go,” one member states. The High Court take the road few dare to travel with a refusal to separate themselves from their fanbase. In following their own dream, The High Court are unselfishly set on making a connection with their audiences. “We want people to clap, dance, shout, and just have a good time. We only want you to come if you are going to enjoy yourself,” they add. It’ll be one hell of a party when the band hits the Vans Warped Tour this summer, and they plan on making their message loud and clear.

There are tracks on Puppet Strings that shamelessly call out those who dared scorn them. Ex-friends and ex-lovers, The High Court doesn’t bother with subtlety. JB describes it, “No metaphors, just things worth talking about.” You can’t mistake their persuasive charm or the swagger in their step. They’re confident and brash, and they make no apologies. From their style to their personalities, even the band’s conception, The High Court brings something new to the table that few have seen before.

2007 marks the release of Puppet Strings, twelve hard-hitting songs that, according to Mike, “are going to stick in your head for the remainder of this decade.” With their cutting lyrics, riffing guitar solos, and an irresistible personality, it would be hard to find a flaw in The High Court’s brand of rock. They present a package deal and on top of everything else, they have a keen eye for business. The High Court understands the cutthroat nature of today’s music industry and describe it succinctly:

“May the best asshole win.”