HIGH VIS has just released their new single, “Guided Tour,” showcasing their signature post-punk sound fused with emotive, grungy vibes. The third single off of the album of the same name, supported by two other tracks, “Drop Me Out” and “Mind’s a Lie,” clocks in at 4,5 minutes and packs a deeply immersive atmosphere.
For most of their existence, HIGH VIS wasn’t a full-time project for frontman Graham Sayle. Balancing his day job as a design technology teacher at an independent school, Sayle managed to fit the band into his breaks, touring when possible. But as the band gained traction, the classroom had to be left behind. Now, as their third album Guided Tour looms, Sayle admits that the transition to relying solely on music for his livelihood is daunting. “It’s fucking terrifying,” he says. Putting everything into something so personal, especially as a source of income, is a huge risk.
HIGH VIS’ rise has been marked by bold, cross-genre moves that came into full focus on September 7, 2024, during a free gig at Gillett Square in East London. The event, dubbed Society Exists, was a utopian cross-genre gathering, with no corporate interference, reasonable prices, and an open invitation for all.
Alongside artists like Delilah Holliday, Hello Mary, and Jeshi, HIGH VIS delivered a 45-minute set, tearing through songs like “Altitude” and “Talk For Hours.” Yet, the emotional core of their music came through in tracks like “Mob DLA,” a seething critique of bureaucratic inefficiency, and “Trauma Bonds,” a solemn acknowledgment of life’s brutal realities.
Formed in London in 2016, HIGH VIS has steadily carved a unique place in the UK hardcore scene, blending post-punk, indie, and hardcore into a sound both aggressive and accessible. Their 2019 debut No Sense No Feeling and 2022’s Blending propelled them from underground darlings to scene leaders. Their latest album, Guided Tour, builds on these roots, aiming to be both hopeful and incensed. Sayle sings with raw intensity on the title track, offering connection and solidarity: “If you need some help, I’ll be your guided tour.”
Recorded at Holy Mountain Studios with producer Jonah Falco, Guided Tour is a dynamic collection of 11 tracks that span genres from street punk to jangling indie and heavy alt-rock. Standout tracks like “Mind’s A Lie” push their boundaries even further, incorporating dance-punk and sampling South London vocalist and DJ Ell Murphy. HIGH VIS’ evolving sound reflects a broader trend in the hardcore scene, where rigid boundaries between genres are breaking down. Sayle sees this as a positive shift, allowing for more creativity and experimentation.
As the band continues to grow, their place in the UK hardcore scene remains essential. With bands like HIGHER POWER and PEST CONTROL leading the charge, Sayle is excited about the future of hardcore, a scene that has both challenged and grounded him. He feels that despite the pressures of their rising popularity, HIGH VIS’ roots in this scene will always keep them connected to their core: “On an existential level, hardcore shows are really exciting spaces and moments.”
