Spring Break
'Not-so-angelic' band to perform
Martin Wood
Issue date: 9/12/07 Section: Features
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Sean Navin, bass guitarist of Minus Halo, said their sound is heavy but radio-friendly, which makes their shows loud and full of energy.
Local heavy metal/rock group Minus Halo is in the midst of finishing their first official album and will be performing live at at noon today at Sacramento State in the University Union Ballroom.
With a new drummer and a self-titled hit receiving airplay on local radio stations like 98 Rock, Minus Halo is making more noise than ever as an emerging, unsigned and self-managed rock group.
The group originated when childhood friends, lead guitarist Darrell Hukill and former drummer Bob Highsmith, linked up. Later, they parted ways when Highsmith moved to Nashville to join his brother's band.
In the meantime, Hukill went on tour throughout the West Coast where he met the future lead vocalist of Minus Halo, Chris Brown.
In 2003, Hukill and Highsmith reunited and shortly after, Highsmith inadvertently met Navin, who had previously played with him for two years.
Their short playing time in the Modern Body Tattoo shop led to the addition of Navin to the newly-rejuvenated group Minus Halo.
Sara Hightower, a recording major at American River College, said the band's show at the Kennel Club was an absolutely amazing performance that blew her away.
"They remind me a little of Nickelback. Only more hard and much better," Hightower said.
The meaning of the band name, Minus Halo, originates from their definition of being human or like an angel without a halo. After all, the group is made up of regular down-to-earth people, just like the audience they cater to.
Heather Perkins, a student at Sierra College, said she enjoys the band's heavy, in-your-face-metal while also enjoying the personalities of each member.
"They are great live and they are really cool guys," she said.
They've gone on to compile their first self-titled demo, which won Heavy Alternative Album of the Year at the 16th annual L.A. Music Awards.
"The last year moved faster than most artists would expect," Navin said.
In just a few years, they went from separated and misguided to accepting awards and sitting at a table next to The Temptations, Navin said.
However, after the success of their first demo, Highsmith split ways with the group due to artistic differences. In spite of losing a key part of the group, Minus Halo recruited Sacramento's Tom Frost to fill in the void as a drummer.
Locally known for his work with former group Deconstruct, Navin said Frost was the biggest inspiration in the last three months.
"To have a drummer of that caliber who previously opened for Korn, Drowning Pool and Nickelback, to name a few, was a breath of fresh air for the group," Navin said.
Being different from the rest of the industry is important to the group and Valari Crain, a fan from Citrus Heights, said the band keeps its own unique personality.
"They are not your average screamers like you hear all over the radio these days," she said.
Still in the process of finishing its upcoming untitled album, the group hinted that its new track "Fully Loaded" will most likely be the next single. Keeping it local, the record release party is planned to set off on Oct. 27 at Marilyn's in downtown Sacramento.
The group is looking forward to their show at Sac State and said to make sure you are there to catch them at what they do best.
Martin Wood can be reached at mwood@statehornet.com.
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