HIGH FADE TURN THE TERAGRAM BALLROOM INTO A FUNK-FUELED FRENZY
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY JOSHUA MANALANG
When thinking of popular Scottish exports, a few things immediately come to mind: a fine Scotch whisky, tartan kilts, bagpipes, haggis…maybe even the Loch Ness Monster. But funk music? That wasn't on my Scotland bingo card.
Ever since forming in Edinburgh in 2018, High Fade has been blowing minds and defying expectations with an infectious sound that draws on a dizzying mix of influences: funk, disco, soul, punk, jazz, metal… the list goes on and on. If I had to describe their music, it's like throwing Primus, Budos Band, and Jack Black into a blender before topping it off with a generous dose of Monster Energy. Their song "The Fly" is a pretty good place to start.
The band rolled into the Teragram Ballroom for a stop on their whirlwind 51-date U.S. tour in support of their new album, Twice As Nice. Opening the night was hometown four-piece Turning Jane, who used the occasion to debut material from their upcoming record, Queen of Hearts. Their unapologetic blend of punk-inflected modern rock recalls The Donnas, pairing catchy hooks with punchy guitar riffs and driving rhythms.
Speaking of driving, let's stick with a car metaphor for a minute. Drummer Jordi is an absolute unit behind the kit. Her relentless playing is the engine that propels the band forward. If Jordi is the engine, then guitarist Izzy is the fuel, delivering riff after riff with equal parts swagger and precision. She has the technical chops to shine without ever overpowering the song. Holding it all together is bassist Jasmine, whose tight, melodic bass lines lock in effortlessly with Jordi, keeping everything firmly on the road. And then there's frontwoman Taylor Heart, the one behind the wheel, steering the band with infectious charisma and complete command of the stage.
That chemistry was impossible to miss. The four of them looked like they were having an absolute blast playing in front of a hometown crowd, and that energy was contagious. While Turning Jane drew plenty of enthusiastic support, it was also obvious most people were there for the night's main attraction. (It was also the first time I'd ever seen someone wearing a Sheffield Wednesday shirt out in the wild.)
High Fade wasted no time kicking things into high gear. From the moment frontman Harry Valentino stepped onstage, he had the crowd in the palm of his hand. At one point, he instructed the entire room to crouch to the floor before exploding back to their feet on cue. When a man wearing a kilt and cowboy boots tells you to do something, you don't ask questions; you just do it.
I have never seen so many middle-aged men dance with such reckless abandon. Sure, it wasn't the most graceful display I've ever witnessed, but they looked like they were having the time of their lives. Watching Valentino, bassist Oliver Sentance, and drummer Heath Campbell maintain that level of energy from the first song to the last was genuinely impressive (there was even a mosh pit!). By the end of the set, they were all smiles and somehow still looked like they had plenty left in the tank. Meanwhile, I was ready for a nap.
By the end of the night, I'd added one more thing to my list of Scottish exports worth celebrating. Right alongside whisky, bagpipes, and the Loch Ness Monster, now there’s High Fade. I still can't explain how three guys from Edinburgh managed to get a room full of Angelenos dancing like nobody was watching. Then again, maybe that's the whole point. Some bands make you think. High Fade just makes you move.
