post punk

Currently based in London, Melbourne locals HighSchool have had quite a year over there – playing sold-out headline shows, supporting the likes of CHVRCHES, NewDad and Wet Leg, and appearing at a whole host of UK and European festivals. Fresh from supporting Sam Fender on his Australian tour, today they’re excited to finally be announcing their first ever hometown show, when they’ll headline Melbourne’s Corner Hotel on Wednesday 14 December.

The trio of Lilli and Rory Trobbiani and Luke Scott, HighSchool made quite the introduction late last year with their infectious six-track debut EP, Forever at Last, released to much acclaim:
‘A sprawling and gorgeous thing, overflowing with ideas and gothic excess. A monument to unbridled creativity’ – NME
‘Deliciously dark dance numbers that’ll be stuck in your head for days’ – DIY
‘Potent indie pop that recalls early Beach Fossils, aspects of The Cure, while channelling elements of The Go-Betweens, but really they are forging fresh paths, and laying claim to a sound of their own’ – Clash Magazine

As the EP continues to find fans, they recently recorded live favourite ‘Only a Dream’ with in-demand producer Dan Carey (Black Midi, Fontaines D.C., Wet Leg) being released on his ever-excellent Speedy Wunderground record label. A gloriously catchy track, it’s currently on the BBC 6Music playlist and the limited, one-time press 7” is long sold out.

Shady Nasty, comprised of Kevin Stathis, Haydn Green and Luca Watson, have backgrounds in jazz and classical music yet are more recognisably affiliated with the alt-punk genre. This association does not determine the group, the trio incorporate elements of hip-hop and electronica. With a genre-bending sound, the group are transgressing the elements of what is considered modern alt-punk.

Shady Nasty’s influences have previously been evident in tracks such as "Get Buff" featuring a monotone dialogue resembling King Krule. Yet, in "CHEST HEIGHT", there is a real feel of experimentation and uniqueness. The group have incorporated a slight distortion in the vocals and an almost disorientation whirring backing to reiterate the internal conflicts of the lyrics.

Reflecting on the track’s meaning, the group explain that it “is about our collective experiences of dating app logic. It explores the temptation to see dating as a game with fixed rules, one which can ultimately lock you and your perception of others into cheap and isolating, yet extremely powerful categories.”

The band’s modern-day commentary appears to be a recurring theme within the trio’s discography. Their 2021 EP CLUBSMOKE dissected topics such as vlogging, clubbing, and clout. Their breakdown of modern culture, alongside rock-heavy elements allows for a listener to be immersed in their analytical expressions.

"CHEST HEIGHT" suggests a new era for Shady Nasty. Previous releases demonstrated the band’s capability to instantly switch from a melancholy almost peaceful song to a ferocious roar of guitars and bellowing vocals. However, "CHEST HEIGHT" has added a new string to their already pretty full bow, the introduction of vocal distortion demonstrates the malleability of the group’s sound, yet still leaving room for the intricate lyrics to be fully taken in.