Lately, I’ve been listening to Tiger High, a fairly new rock quartet that includes the Vest brothers, Jake and Toby, Greg Faison and Greg Roberson. They are all pretty well known around Memphis for being in other bands like, Jump Back Jake, The Bulletproof Vests, and The Reigning Sound. Jake is on guitar and vocals, Toby is on keys, Faison plays bass and Roberson is on drums. I haven’t seen them live yet, but I’ve been playing out their tape in my car.
Yes, I said tape.
It’s perfect to roll down your windows and cruise around Memphis to. That being said, it’s also good for cooking out. It’s the perfect balance of straight up rock, quirky pop with a touch of shoegaze flavor for good measure. For example, take “Losing Out”: it starts out slow, caked in reverb and then opens up into a brilliant foot stomping jam that makes it near impossible to move on to the next song. Or take “Up and Down Again,” this tune takes the train beat to a whole new level. This song builds and drives and when you finally reach the pay off… well, let’s just say you will have goose bumps. Honestly, it took me five listens to move on to Side B because Side A is chopped full of so many perfectly crafted hooks, melodies and lyrics that invite you to sing along. These boys are the real deal and I strongly urge you to pick up a copy of Myth is This. You won’t be sorry.
Myth Is This is on the American Grapefruit Tapes label – a new cassette only label also run by The Vest brothers. According to Toby Vest, it’s poor man’s vinyl cause it comes with the digital download codes if you don’t have a tape player. Luckily for me I have a tape player and will continue to open the sun roof, roll down the windows and sing along to these eight beautifully written gems.
Jeff Hulett is the Public Relations and Communications Coordinator at the Church Health Center in Memphis, TN. Jeff also plays in Snowglobe, Jeffrey James & the Haul and Glorie. He organizes Rock for Love, a benefit concert for the Church Health Center, now in its fifth year. Jeff is a native of Illinois, but considers Memphis is home.
