Hidden in Plain View

by Johnny LoftusHidden in Plain View originally consisted of vocalist Joe Reo, guitarists Rob Freeman and Kenny Ryan, bassist Chris Amato, and drummer Derek Reilly. Forming out of high school, the New Jersey combo gigged regionally before debuting on wax with 2001's Find EP on DAB Records; drummer Jay Snyder signed on for June 2002's self-released Operation: Cut-Throat LP. The album did well enough to get the attention of West Coast punk-pop powerhouse Drive-Thru, which signed Hidden in Plain View in early 2003. Meanwhile, Ryan had left the group by the end of 2002 to cofound Houston Calls, and he was soon replaced by Mike Saffert. The band's first release for the label was a self-titled EP recorded with the aid of Early November helmer Chris Badami; when recording wrapped, Snyder exited and drummer Spencer Peterson came on board. The EP was followed by the full-length Life in Dreaming in early 2005 and extensive touring in spring. In early 2007, after the completion of their follow-up album, Hidden in Plain View called it quits, citing creative differences. Drive-Thru posthumously released the record, entitled Resolution, that July.