As you grow older, you realize that there's far too much attention paid to how the things you love to do, the things you're good at, the things you're passionate about, can make you money. If this conversation happens when you're young, ambitious, and perhaps a little naïve, it can end up driving a wedge between you and that thing until you're burnt out from it completely. Some time ago, that's exactly what happened to Hidden in Plain View, a northern New Jersey emo outfit that got themselves out of their small town and onto the once-loaded Drive-Thru Records roster. Their highly-regarded debut full-length Life in Dreaming was released in 2005, and a slot on the main stage of Bamboozle, but constant touring and time away from home wore away at the band. This resulted in the band announcing its breakup just before Resolution, their highly anticipated sophomore album, was to be released. If the phrase "burn bright, die young" had a definition in Webster's, HIPV's picture appeared to be a perfect example.
The funny, thing about passion, though, is that it's an itch that eventually demands to be scratched. Out of nowhere, as the 10-year anniversary of Life in Dreaming approached, the band was popping up and playing shows again. Then, the band was added to the also-impressive roster of Rise Records, where they released the three-song Animal EP. Despite relative silence from the band, aside from a pop-up show here or there (including a homecoming show at the Stanhope House a few years ago), it was clear the flame for creativity amongst Hidden in Plain View hadn't gone out, and was now growing stronger. The itch had been scratched, but it had also started to spread.
In the spirit of their new focus on taking their time, it's been a little while since we've last seen anything from the HIPV camp. After playing the Warped Tour Anniversary Show in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 2019, the band found itself, like many of us, stuck home with nothing to do. Luckily, the band used that time to the best of their abilities, and forged five new songs that were released on the Tantrums EP in September of last year. No shows were played in celebration during 2022, but the band decided not to wait any longer this year, putting together a string of weekend dates just before January came to a close. On Friday night in the House of Independents, the band brought a pair of New Jersey up-and-comers to ring in the next phase of the band's unique and wonderful career.
First to the stage was Zachary West and the Good Grief, whose name indicated a frontman who was far more front-and-center that what was presented in Asbury Park. "I've been trying in vain to change our name for a while now," the singer-songwriter opened in between songs. Though it's an earnest endeavor, it's easy to see why West's name is on the marquee. He had by far the most energy onstage, and took several guitar leads throughout the set. While I hate to mention too much of what the band said between songs, a theme developed through the night, as West was the first opener to mention that he and the Good Grief recorded their EP Head Empty, released in November of 2022, with Rob Freeman, the guitarist/vocalist of Hidden in Plain View. Freeman seems to have found a great band to work with, as their set Friday night showed true promise for their future.
Had you streamed the concert from the comfort of your own home, you would have felt the need to adjust your TV once Latewaves took to the stage. Not only does the band's guitarist/lead vocalist Mikey Pelligrino look exactly like Zachary West (they're not twins; Pelligrino has shorter hair, for those keeping score), the band rocked just as hard as its predecessor. Their sounds weren't identical, as latewaves opted for more of a hard-rock feel at times. I am the Avalanche feels like a good comparison for the band, especially considering that they've recorded with IATA vocalist Vinnie Caruana in the past. Latewaves seems to be set on keeping good company, as the band also shouted out Freeman's guidance and mentorship as a key part of the band's growth. There was an added meaning to the show for Pelligrino, bassist Howie Cohen, and drummer Shawna Grabowski, as the group hails from Asbury Park. There appeared to be a home-crowd advantage during their set, as the front of the stage was all rowdy from the start of the band's set to the bitter end--even when the band debuted never-before-played songs from their recently-completed album, due out later this year.
By the time Hidden and Plain View took the stage at the House of Independents, the crowd were certainly ready for those familiar songs, and they were rewarded early. Opening with "Twenty Below" initiated the evening's first frenzy, and there were more to follow throughout the band's expansive 19-song set. Featuring nearly every track from the band's landmark Life in Dreaming, it would have simply been impossible for someone to leave the venue feeling like there was a song missed. This remained true when the band ripped into "Temper," the leadoff track of the Tantrums EP, as song that wasn't as well-known, but still added a great energy to the room. By the time the one-two punch of "Bleed for You" and "Garden Statement" rounded out the evening of Jersey-grown rock and roll products, there was a sense of satisfaction emanating throughout the crowd.
That same sense was shared with the night's headlining act, too. Freeman and vocalist Joe Reo had smiles on their faces for the entire hour-plus they were performing, and the band's fill-in drummer and Freeman's fellow guitarist appeared locked in as well. Hell, even the band's bassist Chris Amato, the most reclusive of the bunch, could be seen soaking in the evening from time to time as well. This being the band's first show in nearly three years, it'd be easy to understand that there would be some hiccups or missteps throughout the night, but Hidden in Plain View showed yet again that they can pick up and play with the best of them, whenever it suits them. It's true that the band, along with other NJ/Philly acts like Valencia and The Starting Line, aren't around as much as we'd like them to be, but that's what made Friday night--and the other two shows from the weekend, I'm certain-- so special for those in attendance. But if last Friday night's show in Asbury showed me anything, it's that if the passion for your art never goes away, people's support for it won't either. As long as Hidden in Plain View has the itch, there will be a crowd in New Jersey to help them scratch it.
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