Chris Amato – bass
Rob Freeman - guitar, vocals
Spencer Peterson – drums
Joe Reo - lead vocals
Mike Saffert - guitar
HIDDEN IN PLAIN VIEW is a shot across the bow of contemporary rock. Mincing no words or notes, the New Jersey-based quintet arrives at a time when music needs new blood, new ideas. Says lead singer and co-lead songwriter Joe Reo, "We use this standard: "Keep it as real as possible." HIPV heroes include everyone from blink-182 and At the Drive In, to Jimmy Eat World and Foo Fighters and the band has come up with their own "sui generis" style: guitar-centered, melody driven, rhythmically complex. "We try to keep it catchy," notes Joe. "We play what we think we'd want to hear."
The band writes deft lyrics that suit Joe's passion-laden vocals. "Rob and I started writing together when we were 17," says Joe. "A lot of our songs have no one single meaning. They're mostly about everyday life, but people can interpret them how they want.”
That partnership between singer Joe Reo and guitarist Rob Freeman goes back several years. Both natives of Stanhope, NJ (a straight shot on the I-80 about 40 miles west of New York City), the two met in high school, and immediately discovered an artistic affinity between them. They began playing together in rough-hewn local bands, performing mostly covers, but eventually branching out into writing originals.
"As we took music more seriously, we developed a sound of our own," says Joe. "We're both singers, so we got accustomed to writing harmonies. Our ideas clash in a good way." Once the two met bassist Chris Amato, the emerging HIPV style began to take shape. They became a fully-self-contained operation, booking their own short tours between college classes. Mike Saffert and Spencer Peterson joined later, but rounded out the line-up to perfection.
Things came together in the summer of 2002 when the band came to the attention of Drive-Thru Records. It was a short courtship and a quick wedding, with HIPV now proud members of the Drive-Thru roster.
Soon after, the band headed into the studio to record a self-titled EP for Drive-Thru. "We did add some digital effects, but we try to keep things as raw as possible," says Joe. "The more you soup up a record, the more realness you lose. We didn't go crazy with the salt and pepper." To date, the EP has sold over 50,000 copies.
In concert, the band is, to say the least, energetic. "It's hard for us not to lose ourselves," says Joe of their on-stage persona. "We freak out, have a good time, and pull the crowd in." The band has performed all over the country, touring with the likes of Matchbook Romance, MxPx, The Early November, Midtown, and The Warped Tour.
February 22, 2005 marks the release of their (still untitled) debut full-length. The band recorded at 4th Street Recorders in Santa Monica with producer Jim Wirt (Incubus, Something Corporate), and joined up with mixer Josh Wilbur (Atreyu, Puddle of Mud, Adema) for the finishing touches. The result? A big-sounding rock record from top to bottom.
Meanwhile, everyday is Christmas for the five members of Hidden in Plain View, who are living the dream 24/7. "We're a very diverse band," notes Joe. "We just want to go out and play rock ‘n' roll, and give people a chance to take from our music what they want. It's totally personal."
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