- Release Info -------------------------------------------------------------- -
Artist: High Flight Society
Album: High Flight Society
Label: RKT
Playtime: 41:17 min
Genre: Rock
URL:
Rip date: 2007-04-03
Street date: 2007-06-05
Size: 67.39 MB
Type: Advance
Quality: VBR kbps / 4410kHz / Joint Stereo
- Release Notes ------------------------------------------------------------- -
Drive about an hour northwest of Atlanta, and youÆll run into a tiny little
community of 10,000 near the center of Polk County, Georgia. Welcome to
Cedartown, a simple Southern hometown known for its low crime rate, high
humidity and as the birthplace for the Peacock of the Fairways, retired
golfer Doug Sanders. But come Summer 2007, CedartownÆs reputation can boast
another claim to fame as local band High Flight Society releases its
self-titled national debut, an anthemic modern rock creation.
The four young men who comprise High Flight Society grew up together in
Cedartown, forming their band after years of leading worship music in their
home churches. Scotty Lockridge has been playing the drums at Cedartown
Church of God since he was 6 years old, and his good friend Michael Packer
picked up the guitar so that he and Scotty could play together in their high
school talent show. Wanting to follow in the steps of his big brother, John
Packer decided to learn to play bass, and before long the three were writing
and playing together in their churchÆs praise band. When Michael decided that
he no longer wanted to be the front man for the group, they set out to find a
lead singer and landed on a rather unusual choice, especially given that High
Flight was heading down a modern rock path.
ôI grew up in a family of musicians,ö says lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist and
Gaither Vocal Band fan Jason Wilkes. ôMy mom, brother, sister and I have
always sung Southern Gospel songs as the special music in our small Baptist
church, and I still sing Southern Gospel on the side. In middle school I was
introduced to pop music, which molded my voice more. When I joined High
Flight Society, I eventually developed more of a ærock voice.Æ"
ôDevelopedö may be the understatement of the year. Wilkes soaring vocal
boldly stands atop a tightly knit four-piece musical bed that seamlessly
blends influences like Anberlin, Kutless and Foo Fighters. Still writing and
rehearsing their songs together in the Cedartown Church of God sanctuary,
High Flight Society hopes its debut CD, produced by Tony Palocios
(Superchick, Stellar Kart, By the Tree), will help the band stretch its wings
and take them beyond the borders of the South, and even of the church.
ôGod has called us to æbe a light in the darkness,Æö Jason notes. ôWe want to
use our music to tell people about Jesus, people who might not hear the
conventional way. We make music that could, because of its sound, easily make
its way outside the walls of the church. There are so many songs out there
portraying so many negative things. We want our music to be played alongside
those songs, but we hope to send a positive message of hope and forgiveness
to people who are hearing that message less and less.ö
John adds, ôMy top priority is to see people come to know Jesus because of
something they hear in one of our songs or by something we say from stage or
whatever platform we have. Just to change lives really. One thing thatÆs
always been in my mind is to change what people think about Christianity and
God. Some people view Christians and Christian bands as a joke, and I want to
show people that we as Christians are real people living a real life through
God and subsequently make them realize what we have is real and what they
ultimately are longing for.ö
This Spring the band plans to hit the road hard, doing solo dates as well as
sharing the stage with other bands. In addition to enjoying the Playstation 3
the band recently added to their touring van, the members of High Flight
Society are anxious for the opportunity to play for the masses, ôOur live
show is constantly evolving,ö says Michael, ôand we are always working on
ways to improve it. You can expect a lot of energy, as well as a lot of
direct communication with the audience. We are a tight unit as a band, and I
believe the musicianship shines through.ö
ItÆd be tough to find a band of kinder, more dedicated young men. After
working with two labels, both of which dissolved prior to releasing High
FlightÆs debut, most bands would have simply given up. But the lessons
learned from those difficult circumstances have served to sharpen their
character and strengthen their faith. Michael says the song ôLearn to Let Goö
reflects those lessons. ôThis song is about everything we went through as a
band, how we had to learn to let go of situations that were out of our hands
and give them over to God and be patient.ö
Scotty adds, ôGod has been teaching me that His timing is the best.
Everything happens when and how God wants it. When you let God take over your
life, He has the best strategy for it.ö
Letting God be in control requires immense patience and diligence, qualities
these men are constantly exercising, in large part because this band is more
than their livelihoodùitÆs their calling.
John says, ôFrom the first moment I played bass in front of a crowd, I knew
in my heart this is what God wanted me to do with my life, to reach people
for Him. IÆve worked hard with the other guys over the years to make this
dream of being a æreal bandÆ come to fruition. I do what I do because itÆs
what God has called me to so I can help people, itÆs what I do best and I
love doing it.ö
ôWe are just four country boys from a small town where nothing ever happens
beyond the occasional high school state football victory,ö concludes Jason.
ôWe stick to our roots even if it means being hassled constantly for our
ægoofy accents.Æ But we do what we do because we want people to know that we
are really just like them. We mess up and we're not perfect, but we are out
here doing this thing to try and use what we've been through in life as means
to encourage and help out others.ö
BURN CHRISTIANS
- Track List ---------------------------------------------------------------- -
01. Time Is Running Out (Where To Start) ( 3:30)
02. Up Above ( 4:13)
03. Sweet Redeemer ( 3:42)
04. Learn To Let Go ( 3:21)
05. Declaration ( 4:09)
06. Loss For Words ( 3:23)
07. Escaping ( 3:33)
08. Wake Up ( 3:39)
09. What's Wrong ( 3:26)
10. Raise Me ( 3:45)
11. Get By ( 4:36)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- -