OurStage

www.myspace.com/hi8us

Hi8us is a 5-piece metal band based out of Capac in the thumb of Michigan. Hi8us is dedicated to manufacturing quality metal for the soul! Hi8us strives to bring real heavy metal music to the ears of the public through heavy and original guitar riffs coupled with thunderous double bass drumming, intricate lead guitar, blistering solos, and a highly aggressive vocal approach. While Hi8us pays tribute to such influences as Lamb of God, Hatebreed, Meshuggah, old-Metallica, and Megadeth; our biggest drive and inspiration comes from all the other great local metal bands in the area such as Skin Casket, I Decay, Girl Scout Hand Grenade, International Terrorist Coalition, Fernandos Xcursion, Selfless, Foundation of Power, Scopata Di Morte, Forsaken, Lowborn and many more. Hi8us is dedicated to helping the local metal scene and community grow in numbers and in strength! To date, Hi8us has played over 100 shows and opened for such national acts as Children of Bodom, Amon Amarth, Sanctity, Gojira, Gwar, Overkill, Exodus, Mushroomhead, Dope, Sponge, Otep, etc…

HI8US HISTORY:
Hi8us originally began their voyage on New Years of 2003 with original members Mike Hagel (guitar), Tom Petipren (drums), Mike Marvig (bass), and Paul Kozak (vocal). Over the course of the next couple years Hi8us developed its signature sound and fan base in the local scene.

Eventually in mid-2004, Hi8us would part ways with bassist Mike Marvig. Long-time friend and avid supporter “Chaca” would now provide the low tones. Around this time Hi8us also acquired young lead guitarist prodigy Mike Kot, formerly of Test of Tolerance. These two additions clearly propelled Hi8us to the next level of musical prowess. Within the next year and a half, Hi8us continued to play local venues and neighboring areas, gaining fans and building its reputation.

In early 2006, Hi8us was inducted to the Flint Death Squad (www.flintdeathsquad.com), an active coalition of only the most professional and elite metal-based bands in the Flint and surrounding areas dedicated to promoting and advancing the local metal scene and the local metal community.

Sadly in springtime of 2006, vocalist Paul Kozak had to move out of state for work, leaving the band behind. Hi8us played a couple months as a four-piece with vocal duties shared between Hagel, Kot and Chaca. It was clear that a full-time vocalist was still desired. This is when Hi8us was united with Greg Belkiewicz, a local metal legend from his vocal work with Boondoggle and drumming for International Terrorist Coalition. Then Hagel had some family issues he needed to take care of. We got a hold of our friend Jeff King from the band Selfless, also of the Flint Death Squad, he picked everything up right away and we were playing show after show. After a few months of playing out Hi8us has now finished recording its first “real” EP length album due out in the winter of 2007. Look for shows in and around Flint, Detroit, Port Huron (Michigan) in support of the new EP. Support your local metal or DIE!!

MEMBERS:
Greg Belkiewicz_Vocals
Chaca_Bass/B. Vocals
Mike Kot_Lead Guitar/B. Vocals
Jeff King_Guitar
Tom Petipren_Drums