When Eric Richter (guitar/vocals), Brent Eyestone (guitar), Brandon Evans (bass), Graham Scala (guitar), and Ryan Parris (drums) came together, they all brought strong musical pedigrees, and varying aesthetic approaches. The result was Highness — an amalgam of musicians with different stylistic backgrounds, but one thing in common: untapped potential. The quintet mixes the melodic underpinnings of 90's emo with the aggression of punk and metal, the ambience of post-rock, and the passion of post-hardcore. The resulting pastiche is expansive and inspiring.

Highness performs Wednesday, August 28, 9 p.m. at Bug Jar, 219 Monroe Ave. $7-$9. bugjar.com.