Alternative Rock band Highly Suspect was formed as a cover band in Cape Cod, Massachusets a decade ago by twin brothers Rich and Ryan Meyer and singer/guitarist Johnny Stevens. Eventually moving to New York City, the musicians showed their talents as songwriters on several self-released EPs, which showcased their developing mix of genres (which has variously included elements of Hard Rock, Blues, AltRock, Reggae, Pop and, particularly of late, Hip Hop).
The trio (now a quartet with the more recent addition of Matt Kofos on guitars and synths) was the first Rock band signed to the Atlantic Records-distributed label 300 Entertainment, which was founded by a collective of industry vets and boasts a roster that includes Migos, Megan Thee Stallion and Young Thug (with whom the group has recently collaborated on the single "Tokyo Ghoul"). Highly Suspect's album debut, 2015's Mister Asylum, netted them a Best Rock Album Grammy nomination; the album's hit single, "Lydia," was also nominated for a Grammy. Last November, the band released MCID, their highly anticipated follow-up to 2016's The Boy Who Died Wolf.
Highly Suspect has never shied away from expressing their opinions on social and political issues. When they appeared on Conan O'Brien's TBS show in early 2016, before they started their song, Stevens addressed the home viewers: ""What's up America? Anybody but Trump, please." And the band’s 2019 single "Canals" includes lines like, "Like how can you stomach the shit that they do/Just ask Pussy Riot what those girls went through."
The new album also deals with more personal subjects.
"The album centers around themes of self-loathing, substance abuse, image issues, addressing my past and changing my future," Stevens told Rolling Stone, "with a sprinkle of anti-Trump, false social media worship, heartbreak and hope."
Highly Suspect plays two nights — Thursday and Friday, Feb. 13 and 14 — at Covington's Madison Theater. The Friday show is sold out; tickets for the Thursday show ($38 in advance) are still available as of this writing.
