the h is o. All lower case. That's the band's name.
They're not a band widely known around Denver (yet), but they will be headlining a Halloween party show and costume contest at Herman's Hideaway next Friday night. If you're one of those who know the h is o, you know a costume party type of concert is right up their alley. They have a particular habit of appearing onstage together with some agreed-upon prop or get-up to have fun and set the crowd at ease; past examples have been appearing in wigs, vests, scrubs, all white, and wearing fake moustaches. It changes all the time.
"We definitely don't try to be like a 'funny' band, with comical lyrics," says frontman/guitarist Matt Zoeller. "But we all agree that the show is fun for the audience if it's fun for the band...We think of it as getting into character and putting on a show." Indeed, the h is o is not a comedy act, but the quirky, tongue-in-cheek humor of the bandmates definitely makes it fun for all involved.
Although the h is o has been playing occasional gigs in Denver for a couple of years, the band's roots actually go back about a decade, when original members Matt Zoeller and lead guitarist Matt "Stee" Stephenson met in college in Missoula, Montana. The two started the h is o, and became locally big in Missoula--which, according to Zoeller, meant the band got free sandwiches at Subway. After graduation and a break for several years, the friends both wound up in Denver and decided to re-start the band under its original name, found a drummer and bass player, and began playing gigs around town. Their sound, which Zoeller (almost) jokingly describes as "post-post-rock", is influenced by groups like The Hives, The Strokes, Sloan, Free Energy and The Beatles. They don't have an "official" recording out, but Zoeller stresses that anything they have recorded is free to anyone who wants it--just ask.
As to the meaning behind the name, the band circulates several possible explanations, each of which is equally true, according to Zoeller. Initially derived from the Noel Hypothesis ("The Hypothesis is Zero"), it has also been cited as "The honeymoon is over," and also happens to be the name of a popular Saturday Night Live skit. However, the h is o actually got its name by default because the band needed a name quickly, and the alternate name (which Zoeller didn't mention) was outvoted. "the h is o" stuck, and the rest is history.
You can catch the h is o this Friday, October 29, at Herman's Hideaway, headlining after Pushing Daisies, Blazing Scarlet, Alive in Stereo and The F.O.G. Tickets are $8 plus service charge, available from Herman's Hideaway. Show starts at 8:00 PM. Cash prizes will be awarded for Best and Sexiest costumes--and you can bet the h is o will be wearing something fun.
the h is o is:
Matt Zoeller, lead vocals/guitar
Matt Stephenson, lead guitar
Sondra Tutela, bass
Michael McKee, drums
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Comments
I think the h is o is awesome. If you don't like good music then you better not go, otherwise I would definitely check them out.
the h is o is literally the most fun band I've ever seen live, and I go to a ton of shows. if you live in Denver and don't make this Halloween show, you'll always regret it. It's a guaranteed awesome time.
damn the secret's out! The music is awesome, but you would have a good time just watching anyway.
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