The High Fidelity


The High Fidelity were a British rock band, formed in 1995 by Sean Dickson, formerly of the Soup Dragons.

History

Dickson started the group when High Times magazine asked him to record a track for a cannabis-themed covers compilation album, Hempilation: Freedom Is NORML. Their debut album, Demonstration. The LP was recorded largely in Dickson's bedroom, with Adrian Barry, Paul Dallaway and Ross McFarlane. The album was later augmented with a number of orchestral arrangements recorded in India. Musically, the record comprised experimental dance-pop songs, and was described by The Guardian as "an expertly composed pastiche of psychedelic pop". Their single "Luv Dup" reached #70 on the UK Singles Chart in July 1998. The band recorded a number of sessions for John Peel's BBC Radio 1 show, introducing the use of the omnichord, a vintage synthesiser, with which they performed a number of songs including a version of "Silent Night". Peel shared the band's enthusiasm for the instrument, and when they gave him an omnichord as a 60th birthday present it led to Peel co-writing and performing on one of the tracks on the band's second album, 2001's The Omnichord Album. He co-wrote the track "Pig Might Fly" about his wife with Sean Dickson for the album.

Discography

Albums

  • Demonstration
  • ''The Omnichord Album''

    Singles and EPs

  • "Addicted to a TV"
  • "Come Again"
  • "2 Up / 2 Down"
  • "Luv Dup"
  • "Ithanku"
  • "Scream If You Want to Go Faster"

    Compilation appearances

  • Hempilation: Freedom Is NORML - "Smokin' Cheeba Cheeba"