High 5 Riot hit the scene earlier this year already loaded with experience, talent and a collective drive to succeed and name based on their previous local ventures. Singer/rhythm guitarist Ashley Stacy cut her teeth in Gathering Mercury. With her young spirit and energy, she’ll settle for nothing less than global domination for H5R. The birth came in February at Dayton Does Dayton when GM and bassist Andy Uzzel’s band The Broken Lights were playing. A mutual desire and determination for musical progression brought them together. A massive reaction to their acoustic set at the Songwriters United Show at The Old Yellow Cab Building sealed their partnership. They also earned the Mick Montgomery seal of approval saying ‘this needed to happen’.
They searched and completed the ensemble with guitarist Austin Labig, former drummer of Free Fall Theory, drummer Sean McGrath and keyboardist, formally of In The Cut Aaron Noble. Each shares an incredible drive and desire to strive for the highest level possible. High 5’s debut EP Crowd Control is a pleasant taste of what’s sure to come with elements of pop, rock, punk and acoustic’s. Stacy unleashes her range from a soft soothing serenade to a Linda Perry type wail, over the five tracks particularly ‘going off on’ “Locket”.
“The Pursuit” lyrically dark, is a poppy, rock, addictive tune with psychedelic keyboards winking in the background. Oo, Oo, Oo, a manipulators voice, a cold calculating stalkers heart, it’s me or no one babe. Stacy gets a little sexy with some down and desirable words for them dirty blondes on “Turn Out the Lights”. “Detox” says appearances are deceiving, the truth underneath is revealing. Get the drugs out. “Locket”’s a loud proud proclamation of self-identity, lifestyle and triumph to make your heart happy. The disk ends at “Dusk”, a western styled acoustic vibe, wailing out a life’s tale of ending too soon.
Keep updated on future riotous news at www.high5riot.com.
