NickyThom.Com

HTL Manchester break-in Update:

Fri, 25 May 2012 12:43:16 -0400

Hello internet land, Nick/HTL here:

Last night at our show in Manchester at Moho, we had to park our sprinter van in a parking spot about 4 blocks away from the venue.

During the short time span between us back line/sound checking we had a lovely gentlemen bust out the front window of the van so he could swipe an i-phone, an i-pad charger an i-pod and a macbook among other personals/clothing that were included in bags that he also had the courtesy of taking.

There was nothing that was in plain view, we don’t know why our sprinter out of all the cars parked was targeted, but it happened. Straight up; it sucks. Broad daylight, not 20 minutes after parking, we won the crap lottery today. There are shitty people in the world, it in no way reflects our outlook on the amazing people of Manchester. The show was a lot of fun and we’ve always felt very welcome here.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t as simple as material things being taken, and there were a lot of priceless memories and information contained on the items stolen. Unheard demos, music collections and an entire record that Kevin had been producing for the past year is completely gone. It’s a helpless feeling and anyone who’s ever had their property broken into or invaded knows first hand what we’re experiencing.

We’ve never been big on begging or borrowing but at this point, any help would be greatly appreciated. The police have been MORE than helpful in the matter and have a description of the individual as well as some fingerprints, but we aren’t holding our breath for our property to be retrieved. It’s a big world and we know that.

We would appreciate any help. Banquet Records were kind enough to set up a donation for us, and we’re also offering 15% off at the HTL Merch store. We’re hoping between the two of those things that we’ll be able to at least cover the cost of what was stolen.

Donate: http://www.banquetrecords.com/HTLappeal
Buy Merch: http://www.indiemerch.com/hitthelights
*enter UKBREAKIN upon checkout to take 15% off your order

One more thing: if anyone from Manchester knows a tall, skinny white man with a white bicycle who wants to sell you a macbook, i-phone, i-pad charger, etc - please retrieve several of his teeth so we can make a cool necklace. We guarantee free admission to HTL shows for life. Thanks guys.

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Thu, 17 May 2012 15:34:48 -0400

All of it. <3

Thu, 17 May 2012 02:05:08 -0400

All of it. <3

Slam Dunk Festival Set Times

Wed, 16 May 2012 16:24:04 -0400

propertyofzack:

Slam Dunk will be kicking off in the UK next weekend. Check out the set times for the Slam Dunk North and South Festivals below by clicking “Read More!”

Read More

Some people can't handle HTL

Wed, 16 May 2012 12:16:00 -0400

For the Journey’s backyard barbecue tour this summer, we’ve been asked to do acoustic sets for some of the shows. Some of the folks in charge wanted a list of songs we will be playing so that they can review lyrical content and make sure it’s family appropriate. We got this email this morning from a gentleman in charge:

Need to speak with you urgently.

Here is a message that came from the mall folks in Detroit:

“From the Song List that they are trying to play acoustically inside the mall. We need to exercise some prudence here. You don’t need to read them, as they are graphic, but I will tell you that Her Eyes Say Yes is about drugging a girl, raping her and leaving her for dead, and the second song, Body Bag, is about murdering a person and leaving them dead in a parking lot.”

We are getting serious pushback on lyrical content. I don’t have an issue with the outdoors, it’s the indoors that are the issue. Can we replace the songs that have lyrical issues like Bodybag and Her Eyes Say Yes? Are there any others?

Call me.

So, no “Her Eyes Say Yes” or “Body Bag” at our Detroit acoustic show. While I’m a bit taken back, I understand and it’s mostly just really, REALLY funny. We apologize to the Detroit Mall for being such an edgy, rapey band.

Updates, updates, updates

Tue, 15 May 2012 13:51:17 -0400

Hello everyone who is reading this! I apologize that all my blog has been lately is pictures and reblogs and nothing of real originality. I will remedy this by making this a sincere, heartfelt update! SO:

First and foremost I would like to thank everyone who came out to see the Vans Off The Wall Tour with Set Your Goals, Cartel, HTL, Mixtapes and Handguns(also a thank you to Super Prime and the numerous other bands that shared the stage with us for those two weeks). The tour had a great lineup and it was so refreshing to be on a tour where kids went the fuck off - God, I missed that! I’d also like to thank all of the people who have said such nice things about my band and our new album “Invicta”, whether it be in person, online, or through a friend of a friend.

Currently, we are all home on a break before heading over to the UK for the Slam Dunk Festival(FUCK YEAH!!!) which has always been an amazing experience for us. We couldn’t be more excited to do it and to top it all off, we also have a few dates on the side with Transit and The Story So Far that I’m sure will be fucking awesome!

Following the UK run we’ll be coming home and playing some dates on the Journey’s Backyard Barbecue Tour. Some of the dates will be outside and some will actually be indoor acoustic performances, so it will be cool to explore the “softer” side of some of our songs. I think we’ll really be channeling our Air Supply influences, maybe make out with each other on stage, we’ll see.

We’re now currently feeling out the rest of the year and trying to figure out what’s next for HTL. It’s funny because a year ago we were pressed to the max trying to find a way to record a new album with a new label and figuring out the right producer to do it with. Time goes so fast when you’re spread so thin. Since then we’ve released a new album, two new videos and are headed back to the UK to once again ponder what’s next. That being said, I guess that’s really what the big question is. I know that we will dedicate the rest of this year to touring on “Invicta,” which has probably been the most well received of all our HTL records but the question remains: what’s next? What’s next for HTL as a band, as members, as musicians? Ultimately, this question is going to be answered by you, our fans. Do you want more music? Do you want us to keep touring? All of these questions will be answered this year, by you, in these forms: Tours, shows, album sales, crowd reactions, youtube views, etc. These are the lifelines of a band these days and you, the fans, are the only ones that will dictate what prevails and what doesn’t. This may sound pedantic, but it’s just the truth. Fans are what keep bands on the road. They are what put bands on tours and radio stations. People and bands will blame labels and management for not putting more money into things, or not focusing marketing the band more, but the fact still remains: when there is a demand from people, that is where success will follow.

It’s a big question for HTL. What’s next? So I figure I might as well get your opinions as fans, as you are the ones who have kept us afloat for all of these years. What do you want from us? What do you want from Hit The Lights? These past years we’ve seen a lot of amazing things, met a lot of amazing people and even through the rough patches, there’s always been a light at the end of the tunnel. That light is what fueled us, even when everything seemed hopeless. It seems like ever since we finally released “Invicta”, we’ve had our heads out of that tunnel and now I feel like I’m just looking around going “Ok, we did it… now what?” From this, I’ve realized what we have to do now. We have to just keep doing what we have been doing. Playing shows, meeting people and rocking out until it doesn’t make sense anymore. The rest is up to you, OUR FANS, to decide.

What can you guys do for me? Pass it on. If you really love our music, and I mean ANY of it, pass it on. Get it out there. Do you like a music video? Share it. Do you like a song? Play it in front of people. Spread our music as far as it can go and I will be forever grateful. The more people it reaches, the better. If you like a record, buy it. Download it, I don’t care - just make sure you’re passing it to your friends as well. If you see that we’re coming through your area, come out and see us! If our band means something to you - LET US KNOW. It’s the reason we can do this and be comfortable with the fact that we’re away from home and playing in shitty clubs! If we get to a point where we feel we’re not making a difference or there’s no reason to grow, we don’t need to run ourselves into the ground.

I’m so proud of my band and the records we’ve made and I’m so grateful for the people who have helped support us through all of it. I feel we’ve done everything in an honest, open way and wrote music that has meant something to us and others. That’s the only reason I ever wanted to be in a band. That and to get the fuck out of Ohio. Now that we’ve done that and so much more - what’s next? Ending the rant for now, expect updates from our UK tour and check out our TOUR DATES this summer to see if we’re rolling through your town. Bring a friend, hell, bring TWO if you’ve got em’!!! The rest of this year will be a deciding factor for a lot of things, all positive and all done with the best of intentions for all. Much love to you all, see you on the road.

Here’s to the future

Nick

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Mon, 14 May 2012 14:18:43 -0400

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Mon, 14 May 2012 10:38:51 -0400

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Wed, 09 May 2012 22:12:24 -0400

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Wed, 09 May 2012 01:45:53 -0400

Oh no

Sun, 06 May 2012 21:07:10 -0400

Oh no

Agreed.

Sun, 06 May 2012 03:05:00 -0400

Agreed.

theamazingspidermanmovie: The wait is over. Here’s the brand...

Thu, 03 May 2012 23:46:27 -0400

theamazingspidermanmovie:

The wait is over. Here’s the brand new trailer for The Amazing Spider-Man!

I usually end a workout with this song. So heavy. It’s...

Thu, 03 May 2012 19:11:30 -0400

I usually end a workout with this song. So heavy. It’s like they’re playing on those door stop thingys that go “BOOOOOOOIIIIIIINNG.”

Now, Now’s video for “Thread.” I fuck wit it!!!

Thu, 03 May 2012 15:24:27 -0400

Now, Now’s video for “Thread.”

I fuck wit it!!!

Know wut I’m sayin’?

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:58:32 -0400

Know wut I’m sayin’?

HAHA

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 22:39:19 -0400

HAHA

Perspective.

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:05:36 -0400

Perspective.

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Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:44:04 -0400

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Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:03:45 -0400