About the Band
High Fidelity is a 4 piece, Raleigh, North Carolina based Rock & Roll band covering Rock & Roll classics from the 60’s to today. The members of High Fidelity have many years of experience performing Blues, Rock, and Jazz. They cover songs from such artists as : Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Claption, The Doobie Brothers, Dire Straits, The J Geils Band, The Cure, The Cult, Aerosmith, and Tom Petty; among others.
Band Members
Larry Nilles - Vocals
Back when there was a Bottom Dollar Blues Band, Larry was the drummer/lead vocalist.
At the time, Larry was convinced that the only reason he was the singer was because his voice was less offensive than those of the other members of the band.
Now that he’s moved out from behind the drums, he’s convinced that he is a far better singer, musician, and, for that matter, person than anyone else in the group. He would like to thank the other members of High Fidelity for not sucking so much that their lack of talent makes him look bad as well. (By the way: the next time we gig, the brown M & Ms better effing well be sorted out of the bowl.)
Justin Barker - Bass
After playing with the legendary band XENOMORPH in their heyday of the Seattle sound of 1993-1995, Justin played with various metal bands as lead and rhythm guitarist. After a successful run as bass player for a pothead jam band, Justin left the music scene in disgrace in the year 2000 to concentrate on other nerdier pastimes such as computer gaming and studying in college.
Six years removed from his last gig, in June 2006, High Fidelity called upon Justin to recant his wussy ways and join the band as a replacement for virtuoso bass fiend Stewart Aull. Citing the fact that Justin will never have a musical career like Stew and thus will never leave the band, High Fidelity formally extended the invitation to take Stew’s place in the group. Justin sort of accepted, declined, conditionally accepted, didn’t say anything for a month, and then finally gave an emphatic “MAYBE” before finally surrendering to a life of servitude to the band’s every wish.
As the Yin to original bassman Stewart Aull’s yang, Justin has no classical training, no musical knowledge, and only a vague idea of what the difference between a “measure” and a “bar”. What Justin lacks in musical education, he makes up for with an ear for melody, a feel for rhythm, and a voice for not ever singing.
Chris Richardson - Drums
Chris began his journey through music in 1987 beginning with classical training. Chris’s father was a drummer for the regional group “Evolution” in the 60’s and 70’s, and his younger brother Justin is also a rock drummer. By 1988 Chris was behind his father’s old drum set. He began developing his own playing style in a rock band from Greensboro and began playing jazz in 1996 with his high school jazz band.
Chris continued playing jazz through college, drumming in the NCState jazz ensemble and in the local group ‘The After Hours Jazz Combo’. Chris met Stewart Aull at an impromptu gig at the university and talked him into trying out for bass in the jazz ensemble. Stewart and Chris have kept the tempo locked down in several groups since then. In late 2005 Stewart brought Chris into High Fidelity where his backgrounds in rudamentary classical, jazz, and rock influence his unique drumming style.
Matt Pressley - Guitar
Matt was brought into The Bottom Dollar Blues band in a pinch when one of the band members had a scheduling conflict with their very first gig. Seth, Matt’s cousin and a founding member of BDBB and High Fidelity, knew Matt had been playing guitar for years, and had been part of the legendary garage band, XENOMORPH. Seth called Matt to ask him to fill in for the missing band member. After learning 3 hours worth of songs in 3 days, Matt played with BDBB at their very first paying gig. Matt has been with the band ever since, and stayed on through the transition to High Fidelity.
Matt’s influences inculde a wide spectrum of musicians such as Buddy Guy, Jimi Hendrix, Edward Van Halen, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Eric Clapton.
Former Members
Seth Turner - Guitar Player 2002-2008
Stewart Aull - Bass Player 2002-2007
