HLLLYH

HLLLYH is an outgrowth of The Mae Shi, so let's start with them: they were a Los Angeles-based dayglo art punk band founded in 2002 that played more than 300 shows and released several albums before they effectively broke up in 2009. In 2022, founding Mae Shi member Tim Byron set out to “get the band back together” and crisscrossed California, pitching the other former members on one final album built from spastic drums, guitars, hoots, hollers, claps, and candy-coated synths. Tim’s call to action was answered. Decades-old hard drives spun to life. Tim unearthed half-written Mae Shi songs and began sketching out dozens of new songs using the Mae Shi palette. Jeff Byron signed on as de facto producer and engineer, as well as singer and guitarist. Ezra Buchla, who had spent the last two decades using voice, viola, and software to explore new sounds and ideas, agreed to play the role of punk singer once again. Brad Breeck offered vocals, opinions, and moral support. Corey Fogel showed up at Jeff’s house with a car full of drums, wrenches, and a timpani. Ultimately, the band decided this all felt like the first chapter of something new rather than the final Mae Shi record. In 2024, three new members, Dan Chao, James Baker, and Burt Hashiguchi, signed on to help Tim bring HLLLYH into the future, with Jeff, Ezra, Brad, and Corey graduating to "emeritus" band member status.