Hidden in Plain View
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Defunct | 2007 (initial breakup) |
| Fate | Disbanded in 2007; reunited in 2015 |
| Headquarters | Northern New Jersey , United States |
| Products | Music albums and EPs |
Hidden in Plain View is a post-hardcore and emo band hailing from northern New Jersey in the United States. Established in 2000, the group disbanded in 2007 after issuing music through four different labels, most notably the independent Drive-Thru Records. Their discography includes two full-length albums and three EPs. The band embarked on extensive tours throughout the United States, Europe, and Japan, with performances at events such as the Warped Tour and Drive-Thru Records Invasion Tours. After reuniting in 2015, they released the EP Animal under Rise Records, followed by another EP titled Tantrums in 2022.
History
Hidden in Plain View originated near Hopatcong, New Jersey, forming in August 2000 when Joe Reo (vocals) and Rob Freeman (guitar and backing vocals) joined forces with Kenny Ryan (guitar), Chris Amato (bass), and Derek Reilly (drums). The band's name was inspired by a phrase spoken by a customer at Reo's workplace in a supermarket. Their initial three-track demo caught attention, leading to a contract with local label DAB Records and the release of their debut album Find in March 2001, produced by Chris Badami.
After DAB Records faced financial difficulties and drummer Derek Reilly departed—replaced by Jay Snyder—the band signed with Note to Self Records in early 2002. Their second EP, Operation: Cut-Throat, was released on June 11, 2002, showcasing a shift towards a lighter musical style while maintaining introspective lyrical themes. Later that year, Kenny Ryan left to help establish Rushmore Records, now part of Drive-Thru Records, and Mike Saffert took over guitar duties.
Although plans existed for a full-length album under Note to Self/LLR Recordings, Hidden in Plain View ultimately signed with southern California’s pop-punk label Drive-Thru Records in June 2003. LLR re-released Operation: Cut-Throat, and the band recorded four tracks for their self-titled Drive-Thru debut EP. Jay Snyder exited to form John Connor and was succeeded by Spencer Peterson, then a 19-year-old student at the Atlanta Institute of Music.
In 2004, the band contributed to the Counting Crows tribute compilation Dead and Dreaming as well as Drive-Thru’s seasonal release Happy Holidays from Drive-Thru Records. During this period, they toured extensively across both the US and UK. Their first full-length album under Drive-Thru, Life in Dreaming, was released in early 2005, reflecting a more refined and aggressive sound influenced by new members Saffert and Peterson. A demo version of "Bleed for You" appeared on the compilation Take Action! Volume 04.
Throughout most of 2005, Hidden in Plain View focused on touring domestically and internationally. Highlights included 24 dates on the Warped Tour, their inaugural tour of Japan, and co-headlining the European Drive-Thru Invasion Tour spanning seven countries. On October 16, they competed in MTV2's Dew Circuit Breakout finals held in New York.
The band announced their breakup in January 2007 due to creative disagreements. Their follow-up album Resolution, which had been recorded prior to disbanding, was released through Drive-Thru Records on July 24, 2007; it had leaked online earlier that month.
On April 16, 2013, Hidden in Plain View revealed plans for a reunion performance at Philadelphia’s Theater of the Living Arts scheduled for September 7. In 2015, they celebrated the tenth anniversary of their debut album with a tour and issued the EP Animal via Rise Records. Their most recent EP release is Tantrums, which came out in 2022.
Members
- Joe Reo – lead vocals
- Rob Freeman – guitar, backing vocals
- Mike Saffert – guitar
- Chris Amato – bass guitar
- Nick Pultz – drums
Past members
- Derek Reilly – drums
- Kenny Ryan – guitar
- Jay Snyder – drums
- Spencer Peterson – drums
Studio albums
- Life in Dreaming (2005)
- Resolution (2007)
Extended plays
- Find (2001)
- Operation: Cut-Throat (2002)
- Hidden in Plain View (2003)
- Animal (2015)
- Tantrums (2022)
Tracks outside albums
- "Mr. Jones" – featured on Dead and Dreaming: An Indie Tribute to Counting Crows (2004)
- "Hot 'n' Sexy" – B-side of the 7" single "Ashes Ashes" (2004)
- "Christmas Song" – included in Happy Holidays from Drive-Thru Records (2004)
- "Bleed For You" – appeared on both Punk the Clock Vol. 1 (2004) and as a demo on Take Action! Volume 04 (2004)
- "I Ran" – part of the compilation Punk Goes 80's (2005)
- "Ferriswheel," "Kicking Stones," and "To Your Grave" – tracks from an early three-song demo