By Savino Rojas, Photos By Dree Caloobanan
Over the last few years, Hunter’s Briefcase has become a notable and respected name in the local scene. They consistently leave crowds enamored with their lively performances of blues-infused contemporary rock, however, the challenge for any band is carrying that energy from the stage to the studio. Hunter’s Briefcase has aimed for and succeeded at exactly that, with their debut EP, Ghost on the Highway.
At five tracks long, clocking in at twenty-seven min, “Ghost on the Highway” is a brief, but substantive look into Hunter’s Briefcase’s musical range. Each track contains its own personality while fitting under the band’s musical umbrella. “She’s Not Sleeping Alone,” the opener, is the perfect pop-structured earworm rock track. It burrows deep into your subconscious, begging to be replayed. Following after is the funky, grimy jam, “Great White Shark,” a common crowd favorite. “Fiive,” and “Fire / Water” close out the tail end of this project with an unwavering, raw vitality. The former being a psychedelic, fuzzy, plea for freedom, and the latter a thunderous, incendiary hard rock finale. However, the true highlight of this EP is its centerpiece and namesake, “Ghost on the Highway.” Although seven and a half minutes, this extended runtime blazes by as it’s used to build the track up and let it breathe as necessary. Jake Mendoza, the lead vocalist and guitarist, begins unaccompanied. A lone, palm-muted guitar establishes a bluesy motif, accompanied then by Jake’s narration. The scene is set through lyrics, and matched musically: a solitary, nighttime drive down the highway. As Jake’s volume and energy rise, the song switches gears, adding interlocked drums and bass from Nic Mendoza and Carter Woodson. The band cruises for a moment, building upon the motif, progressing somewhere familiar yet foreign. Manic drum fills and blistering guitar flairs give way to a spacey interlude, as departing reverb-soaked vocals resonate in the listener’s skull, bringing on an extended instrumental outro. The interlude subsides with guitar and drums taking a backseat as Carter lets his bass sing over a minimal backbeat. This baritone solo settles into the pocket while guitar and drums stealthily build in the back, creeping their way to the foreground. Soon enough, a sonic ambush of pounding drums supports an electrifying guitar solo through the finish line. The lone highwayman speeds out of sight, never to be seen again.
Ghost on the Highway is a vivacious half-hour thrill ride that packs in new ideas for what a band can do within the confines of “rock” while pushing it into new directions. Each of the three members holds their own, coming together to provide a project that is concise, yet memorable. Hunter’s Briefcase has made a strong start to their hopefully long catalog of music, and until their next release, this EP will remain blasting through fans’ car speakers.
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