The High Dials

The High Dials are an indie rock band from Montreal, Canada. They draw on influences from folk, pop and psychedelic rock of various eras. They debuted in 2003 on NYC-based Rainbow Quartz Records with ?A New Devotion?, a mishmash of retro-freakbeat sounds with a hidden lyrical storyline. The album made a fan of Little Steven Van Zandt of Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band, who began playng them regularly on his syndicated radio show.

They debuted in 2003 on NYC-based Rainbow Quartz Records with ?A New Devotion?, a mishmash of retro-freakbeat sounds with a hidden lyrical storyline. The album made a fan of Little Steven Van Zandt of Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band, who began playng them regularly on his syndicated radio show. They performed with the Strokes, the Stooges, New York Dolls and other music legends at his Underground Garage Festival in 2004, also making first tours of Canada, the USA and UK.

The High Dials released their second album "War of the Wakening Phantoms" in 2005. The disc won critical acclaim from NME, Spin and the Washington Post among other influential publications. The album reached the number one spot on Canadian college radio charts and the band began a period of extensive touring in North America and the UK, including support slots with the Brian Jonestown Massacre and Neko Case.

In 2007, the High Dials released ?The Holy Ground EP?, which featured a collaboration with Rod Argent, legendary songwriter of The Zombies. That same year, they received sudden mainstream exposure when their song ?The Holy Ground? featured in a prominent ad campaign for Rogers mobile in Canada.

In 2008, the High Dials' released their third LP ?Moon Country? independently. Begun in a remote stone cottage in Ireland, the eclectic, sprawling double album revealed further changes in the band's evolving sound, showcasing droning dance grooves, spaced-out rock and wistful cosmic folk. They returned to the road in support of the record, a cycle that concluded with an opening slot for Echo & the Bunnymen at SXSW 2009.

In 2010, the High Dials reunited with Rainbow Quartz Records, and set about building a home studio in an abandoned (reputedly haunted) Montreal building that once belonged to the Canadian navy. The recordings were mixed by Michael Musmanno (Lilys, Cadence Weapon) in New York City and released as ?Anthems for Doomed Youth? in November 2010.

During 2011-2012, the High Dials performed at the Osheaga music festival, scored soundtracks for two films and collaborated with Andrew Loog Oldham, original manager and producer of the Rolling Stones, on a song set for release in 2012. The band are currently working with Montreal producer Marc Bell on an untitled fifth album.

Currently on the High Dialian roster: Trevor Anderson (vocals and guitar), Robbie MacArthur (lead guitar), George Donoso III (drums), Eric Dougherty (keys) and David Jalbert (bass).

Official website: www.thehighdials.net