CONGRATS HIGH TIDE! THE 2008 ICRT FM100 BATTLE OF THE BANDS WINNERS!!
Rolling in with a big sound and even bigger hearts for Jamaican music, High Tide plays reggae, ska and live dub. A heavyweight rhythm section, soaring melodies, tight harmonies and conscious lyrics are the cornerstones of their sound. Benjamin Cunningham (USA) and Moshe Foster (USA) on Vocals and guitars, Andrew Francis (USA) on trombone, Mike Tennant (CAN) on bass and Gregory Russell (NZ) on the drums are serving a big, irie’ slice of one drop in little Taiwan.
BAND BIOGRAPHY
After discussing the idea of a new reggae project in Taipei in late 2007, Moshe Foster of Public Radio fame and Andrew Francis of The Sound Clashes and Money Shot Horns, began working on potential songs and building a vision for a band.
In March of 2008, Andy got in contact with Bo Po Mo Fo bassist and long time musical partner Mike Tennant and proposed the idea. At the same time, Moshe had contacted a ferocious punk drummer named Gregory Russell. Greggo took an immediate interest in the idea and the roots of High Tide were sown.
The 4 soon recognized that while the song writing aspect was strong, their sound needed to expand. Foster enlisted the musical insight of a very talented Jesse Morden Green. Morden had the vocal, guitar and songwriting skills the band was looking for and with them their sound was complete.
They set a very ambitious goal of playing at the 2008 Spring Scream festival in April and wasted no time. Within the month, High Tide had put together a 60 minute set of originals and rare covers and had even found time to record, mix and master their own demos. They were determined to hit the ground running.
The plan worked and they were invited into the 2008 Spring Scream festival, where despite the threat of deportation due to being denied Performance Visas, High Tide performed a lively and spirited show.
Since then High Tide has been invited to a number of high profile events and festivals including The Compass Magazine Food Festival’s after party in Taichung in May, the 2008 PeaceFest in Longtan in June, the 1st and 2nd Reggae Dub Sessions at The Wall in Taipei in August and October and the recent Lost Lagoon Music Festival in Wulai during 10/10 Holiday.
Jesse recently moved to Beijing, China to begin a new chapter in his life. Replacing him on guitar is none other than Benjamin Cunningham, a blues/rock virtuoso out of Texas, USA. Ben and Jesse are very close friends and this change up has added some fresh blood and spirit to the band.
JAH! REGGAE INA FORMOSA!
