High on Fire Transcending the Stoner Rock Tag

Hipsters and stoner rockers tend to love the heavier-than-granite High on Fire. But that doesn't limit the band or its appeal. "We attract the hipster drunk crowd," laughed drummer Des Kensel. "It's great! People have been saying at some of our more recent shows, there's a pit and they're like, 'What the f---?' They get pissed. We don't advertise, like, 'Come slam dance to the new High on Fire album!' It's just been happening."

The band, which is currently working on its first album for E1 in Los Angeles, believes it has transcended the stoner rock tag, too, despite the long (and successful) association. "Some of the support slots we get on tour now, like when we were on Gigantour, have been different. So we have been seeing it in the crowd response. We're sort of trying to get away from that label. We're more than a stoner rock band, and we're seeing the drift, for sure."

Kensel and his bandmates are about to hit the road with Mastodon and Dethklok, which will certainly expose them to new ears. But High on Fire may or may not debut some of the new material. That remains to be seen on these fall dates.

Kensel said, "It depends on our set length. We may throw in one or two and test the waters. Some of our older fans are there and we can't play too much new stuff, since no one will be familiar with it. We'll see."