The High Dials are a psychedelic pop band from Montreal, Canada. Devotees of classic sounds and songcraft, yet creatively restless and experimental at heart, they have produced a varied repertoire of anthemic power-pop, shoegazey ambience and melancholic folk-rock balladry.
The High Dials announced themselves in 2003 with A New Devotion (Rainbow Quartz Records). Part S.F. Sorrow, part Flaming Lips and a whole lot of Revolver-era Beatles, the upbeat, 18-song (!) concept record featured sitar, harpsichords and a hidden science-fiction story.
War of the Wakening Phantoms (2005) was their lovesick follow-up. Produced by Joseph Donovan (the Dears, Sam Roberts) and mixed by Dave Bianco (Tom Petty, Teenage Fanclub), it won rave reviews in North America and the UK. The album went to number one on Canadian college radio charts and The High Dials supported the release as tour partners for both Brian Jonestown Massacre and Neko Case.
In 2007, the band released The Holy Ground EP, which featured a collaboration with Rod Argent of 60’s legends The Zombies on ”Picture of a Fading Man”. (Check out the blistering Hammond solo!)
The High Dials’ third album, Moon Country (2008), may be their best work to date. Droning dance grooves, spaced-out rock anthems and wistful love songs from the edge of a distant cosmic beach! As a nod to the classic LP in an Mp3 age, the release is divided into two sides, A and B. Begun in a remote stone cottage in Ireland, “Moon Country” is a must for anyone who loves the album as endangered art form!
Currently on the High Dialian roster: Trevor Anderson (vocals and guitar), Robbie MacArthur (lead guitar), George Donoso III (drums), Charles Prénoveau-Giguère (bass), and Eric Dougherty (keys)
