Back to the moshpit
“HLAH, Shihad, scrumpy and a pash. Ah fond youthful memories,” said one friend.
“My first public smoking!” said another.
One asked: “Who was with me when we flashed boys on the street from upstairs at the Town Hall?”
HLAH hit their peak in the late 90s, and to the dismay of their fans went through a messy break-up in 2000. In 2009 they reformed to play Wellington’s Homegrown music festival, and toured a best of album afterwards.
Now HLAH are back on the bandwagon, touring the country to celebrate the release of their new album Blood Will Out.
“We’re still pretty heavy. It’s still hard out rock music. But it’s a bit more song oriented… the hooks are better,” says Regan.
Like their fans – HLAH are older and wiser now. Regan tells me that frontman Booga Beazley turned 40 last week.
“He’s giving me the stink eye right now. He doesn’t like being reminded,” says Regan.
Have they had to tone things down this time round?
“Playing music is one of those things that keeps you young - I’d say I’m just the same as when I was in my 20s as far as that goes. Although we won’t be getting naked on this tour… we’re going more for the hairy biker look.”
Regan says he was a bit lost after the band’s breakup, and he sounds stoked to be on the road again.
“It feels like back in the old days. We just had our first tour pie!” he says.
Will the reunion be a permanent one?
“I think well keep it up. We’ve spent a lot of money on the album and we don’t make a lot, but as long as everyone’s enjoying it we’ll continue. We’re really proud of the album and keen to get out and play it on the tour… we’re ready to brutalise people with it.”
After ten years absence - something tells me it’s time I rejoined the moshpit. See you in there.
Head Like A Hole: Blood Will Out Tour, San Francisco Bathhouse, August 25.










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