For Highly Suspect’s front man Johnny Stevens, the best part of any show is that first note.
“It’s like the whistle blowing at a soccer game,” he says. “All of a sudden I’m in a different dimension.”
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That pivotal moment is something Stevens looks forward to when Highly Suspect performs at Blueberry Hill’s Duck Room on August 8. This stop in St. Louis—where they’ve performed before, most recently at Pointfest in May—is a part of the their tour to promote Mister Asylum, the band’s impressive, energetic debut album.
On the album, the Cape Cod-born rock ‘n roll group combines personal lyrics with hardcore drumbeats and gritty guitar strokes. Standout tracks include the head-bopping “Lydia,” the tonal whiplash of “Vanity,” and the dance-worthy “Claudeland” (where Stevens’ stellar voice faintly resembles that of an old-school Lenny Kravitz).
The trio—Stevens, and brothers Rich and Ryan Meyer—went to high school together, albeit at different times, but didn’t form Highly Suspect until after Stevens graduated. A chance meeting at a party led to regular basement jam sessions.
“A couple of years after that, we thought, ‘We could go get free beer to do this at the bars,’” he adds with a laugh. Eventually, the trio decided to set up camp in New York.
Since then, the band has been applauded by publications such as Rolling Stone and has made headway on the Billboard charts. This year they’ll tour a handful of US cities before a leg in Europe.
“It feels really good to be getting recognition for all of our efforts,” Steven says sincerely. “It’s hasn’t really sunken in yet to any degree. It’s all very new.”
Stevens adds that it’s unclear if each show will have that special moment every time, but that invigorating first note is something he can always count on—a trademark that let’s you know these guys are in it for the music.
“That first note is always going to feel the same,” he says. “And it’s always going to feel amazing.”
The Duck Room is located at 6504 Delmar, downstairs at Blueberry Hill. Tickets for Highly Suspect are $10.57 in advance, $12 day of show; The Hush List opens. For more information, go to blueberryhill.com.
