HIGH FADE: FUNKY WHEN IT'S FUNKING

HIGH FADE TALK RELENTLESS TOURING AND NEW ALBUM TWICE AS NICE

High Fade are not a band that sit still. Famously hardworking, the funk-rock trio have spent the last few years grafting their way from busking spots to sold-out shows on both sides of the Atlantic.

What started on the streets of Edinburgh has turned into a global, DIY success story, built on relentless touring, top-tier technical ability, and a refusal to compromise.

We last caught up with them back in 2023 for a nice long chat in a Banbury churchyard. You can find it here. It was an unusual setting that somehow felt kind of apt for a band who’ve always done things their own way. Since then, guitarist and founding member Harry Valentino, majestically moustachioed bassist Oliver Sentance, and new recruit Heath Campbell on drums have barely stopped moving.

High Fade's debut album Life’s Too Fast introduced the world to their unique brand of infectious funk, catching the ear of such names as Brad Wilk of Rage Against the Machine, Glenn Hughes of Deep Purple, Cypress Hill, Emeli Sandé, and Jack Black. A steady stream of singles and more than 1,500 shows (yes, really!) have served to broaden their audience still further, with the band now boasting more than 1.3 million followers.

High Fade: Heath Campbell, Harry Valentino, Oliver Sentance

Now, with new album Twice as Nice about to drop via their own RPN Records, High Fade find themselves stepping things up again — pushing into heavier territory, expanding their songwriting, and somehow bottling the chaotic live energy they’ve built their name on.

We were incredibly fortunate to have a quick chinwag with Harry and Heath to talk new blood, touring, and what Twice as Nice has to offer. 

For James Bond, Chicago road rage, and sensory sonic assaults — read on!

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Hello High Fade. Welcome to The Winchester. What are you drinking? 

HARRY VALENTINO — A double espresso. Or chocolate milk.

No mate, this is a proper pub: we don’t do coffee. And we certainly don’t do chocolate milk. You can have a pint of Belhaven’s Best, seeing as you’re from Edinburgh. While we pour that, please describe High Fade for the uninitiated. 

HARRY — Some would say it’s a sonic assault on the senses. Some would call it funk-rock. Some would call it speed funk, punk funk, or rock. Whatever you want really.

Harry, we’ve met before. You, we haven’t. Please introduce yourself. 

HEATH CAMPBELL — Wassup! My name’s Heath and I’m a 22-year-old drummer from Preston, Lancashire.

In which case you can have a pint of Lancaster Bomber. Nice to meet you, Heath. Please tell us how you came to be part of High Fade. 

HEATH — My friend Sam called me one day to tell me High Fade was looking for a new drummer. After the phone call, he put me in contact with the band. Harry then sent me all the material to learn, so I learned it.

Everyone needs a friend like Sam. Did you deliberate or jump at the chance? 

HEATH — There was no way I was letting an opportunity this big go to waste. I cancelled all my plans to ensure I had time to learn and practice the set.

Last time we met, Oli dubbed High Fade the hardest working band in funk. What’s it been like to get aboard the High Fade bullet train? 

HEATH — It’s been a lot of work. It’s taken a while to get used to the insane touring schedule. Having said that, it’s the best hard work in the world. Stepping up on stage and playing the shows is the reward for all the hard work.

What was your first rehearsal like? 

HEATH — I was honestly quite nervous for the first rehearsal, and I don’t usually get nervous. But after the first run-through of the set I felt the pressure instantly go.

How long did the boys give you from first rehearsal to first show? 

HEATH — I think it was about two and a half weeks. The boys picked me up at 11:30pm and then we headed down to Marseille.

More ooh la la than Dwee Ba Ba. Heath, what are you bringing to the band? 

HEATH — I’m influenced by a lot of jazz, metal, and everything in between. I think that’s very apparent in my playing style.

And behind the scenes I also help out with some of the video editing. That’s something I really enjoy doing. ⁠

Have you had to rework or reimagine any High Fade classics to suit your style? 

HEATH — Most of the songs have the key ingredients still, and then I add my own personality on top. I’m quite against copying songs note for note. I think musicians should always strive to be unique: taking inspiration from others and turning it into your own.

As well as non-stop touring, you’ve somehow found time to record a new album. Please tell as about it. 

HARRY — Twice as Nice is our most ambitious effort to catch what we really sound like live, which is really hard to do. But this time we feel we’ve got it nailed. We wanted to push the boat out production-wise, to show what’s possible with a 3-piece band.

We want to thank Graeme Young our producer and engineer, Pat and Kelly at East Iris Studios, RAK studios, Robyn, Stephen, Jan, Eli, and Joel at Marshall, Ian at Laney, and George at Natal Drums. 

Does this new album feel very different from Life’s Too Fast?

HARRY — Absolutely. This album is a new direction and a new flavour. We’ve spent a lot of time writing songs and working on our craft. We’ve definitely got better at writing songs and not relying entirely on soundcheck. Balance is key for sure.

Can you reveal anything more about the album’s new flavour? 

HARRY — It’s heavy when it’s heavy, it’s grooving when it’s grooving, it’s funky when it’s funking, and it rocks when it’s rocking.

Clear as mud. Let’s try this: if the album were a movie, which would it be? 

HARRY — I’d say it’s a mix of James Bond, Fallout: New Vegas, and Goodfellas.

That is a film we would definitely watch. As well as hardworking, you’re also fiercely independent and still very DIY. At the level you’re at now, do you ever regret that decision? 

HARRY — No. We chose to stay independent not just out of principle, but also because any label deals we’ve been offered really didn’t live up to the expectations of what we’ve spent years trying to build.

The only challenges are how expensive it is to pull off a lot of what we do. But we make it work. We work hard and we work on our own terms. 

High Fade guitarist and frontman Harry Valentino

Has success made things easier creatively, or more complicated? 

HARRY — It’s not made any difference at all. We’re still creating on the regular and we will always create what we want to make.

Last time we met, you were about to embark on a tour of the USA. You’ve been back many times since. Describe for us your reception stateside. 

HARRY — The audiences stateside have shown us so much love and kindness. We really can’t thank them enough. Without our American fans we probably wouldn’t still be going. They’ve supported us more than they’ll ever know.

God bless America. Are there any differences between American and British crowds? 

HEATH — I think the biggest differences come from the reception to certain set lists and songs we play. US audiences definitely love to scream.

Have there been any US shows that completely blew your minds? 

HARRY — Yeah: two sold-out shows in New York. That was the moment we were like, “Really? Is this happening?”

What city in the US feels most like home now?

HEATH — Nashville. Or Kansas City.

High Fade: Heath Campbell, Harry Valentino, Oliver Sentance

What’s been your most chaotic or memorable moment touring? 

HEATH — We almost got shot up in Chicago after being cut up in traffic. Or when we got held in a holding area for four hours… long story.

HARRY — I think for us there’s been so many moments it’s hard to choose one. Probably playing for 14 nights in a row at one point in the States. That was the true test.

You’ve gone from busking in Edinburgh to huge success and international touring. Is there any part of the early days you miss?

HARRY — Definitely the busking. We actually went back out in February and it was so fun. We’ll definitely be back.

Thanks guys. It’s been twice as nice chatting with you again. Any final words for your fans?

HARRY — Thank you. We love you, stay faded, and we’ll see you on tour.

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► Stream Twice as Nice by High Fade on Spotify, Amazon Music and elsewhere.