It’s time to get to know Highlives! We set the band 10 questions about their musical likes, tastes and guilty pleasures…
How would you describe your taste in music?
Ben: Cliche as hell! Pop punk, metalcore and hardcore are some of my favourites, but I also love a whole bunch of hip hop, pop and more.
Liam: Mine changes all the time. Pop punk has always been a genre that I’ve enjoyed, and definitely helped shape me growing up and pulled me through some tough times; of course it still does to this day. I’ve always had a soft spot for bands that are very emotionally driven, such as The Wonder Years and The Story So Far. Lately, I’ve been getting into some hip hop, and I’m really digging nothing, nowhere at the moment. I love the way he incorporates a range of different genres into his work; it’s a refreshing sound.
Who do you consider to be your favourite band and why?
Ben: Blink 182. Their self titled album was the first album I owned myself, and no matter how many different styles of music I’ve become obsessed with, I’ve always come back to them.
Liam: The Wonder Years. I went through a phase, probably for a couple of years, maybe even longer, of listening to them on a daily basis. I’ve moved away from that for a little bit now, but they’ll always hold a special place in my heart. They’ve got a new album coming out soon which I’m super stoked about.
Who is the best live band you’ve ever seen?
Ben: I can’t even remember half of the bands that I’ve seen live, but both times I’ve seen Good Charlotte, they completely blew me away!
What is the one song that you could listen to forever?
Ben: I don’t think there is any song I could listen to forever; I always get obsessed and over listen for a few months and then get sick of it.
What album, if any, was a turning point in your musical life and why?
Ben: I think probably ‘All Killer No Filler’ by Sum 41. I was listening to it a lot when I was first leaning guitar, and some of the songs on there are some of the first songs i learned to play.
Liam: Good Charlotte’s ‘The Young and the Hopeless’. I remember my friend showing it to me in the last year of primary school, and that lead onto me checking out other similar bands.
In 3 words, what makes a good album or song?
Ben: Big catchy chorus!
A festival or a gig? Why?
Ben: I prefer gigs for the musical aspect of it. The sound is usually better, and you can see everything that’s going on. All of my festival experiences have just ended up being more about the booze than the bands.
Who would be your 3 dream festival headliners?
Ben: A Day to Remember, Blink 182 and Post Malone would be LIT.
Who are the best new band you’ve discovered lately that everyone should know about?
Ben: Better Than Never; I am their BIGGEST fan. Every time I see them live, I fall in love a little bit more.
Liam: There’s a band called Thank the Academy. Everyone should check them out! They’re super talented dudes, and their music is sick.
What band or artist is your secret, or not so secret, guilty pleasure?
Ben: No secret; me and Slim Lee are huge Post Malone fans, just like everybody else in the world.
Check out Highlives‘ video for Nothing Left below;