Lawskof
Cleveland, Ohio, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2012
Music
Press
Melodic punk from Cleveland that has energy and makes it hard to believe that this is their first release with how much talent these guys have. The level of energy on here is crazy, they are playing their brand of melodic punk nice and quick with a ton of hooks on these six songs.
The release starts off with cymbal hits and then the band kicks in, the vocals have the snotty and gruffness mixed together, gang vocals and hooks…did I mention the hooks, they just make the first song, “Wet Brain” a great way to start off the album. The band just keeps the great pace going with the next song, “Kid, You’re Gonna Be Great” with more hooks and woah-ohs all over and super tight playing. The band has great guitar work with the gritty playing, the bouncing bass, the driving drumming, and the vocals which go from growling to the cleaner sound on most of the tracks. The production is clear, giving you the ability to hear the band and not have them buried or covered up.
These guys are making me really enjoy melodic punk by throwing in some pop, but not letting it take over the music, they just put it into the mix to make the hooks grab you, and they do. I’m looking forward to what comes next for them. - Altered Frequencies
The first band, Lawskof (Check out their Facebook page!), was essentially done setting up their equipment and began playing roughly 25 minutes after the doors opened. They were ready to play. I had never heard of them before, but now I know they’re from Cleveland and are a punk rock band that can bring the energy. I also very much liked their lead singer’s shirt that read ‘Eat Shit & Die.’ I found that very hilarious for some odd reason.
Lawskof from Cleveland. They bring a lot of energy. - Chwomp
Rocks Like:
Red City Radio, The Movielife, Bigwig
Check Out:
'Lawskof' EP
As someone must've said once before, the best things happen at rooftop parties. Such is the story behind Cleveland punk quintet Lawskof, whose seeds were planted in the summer of 2011 on guitarist Joey Artino's roof. A few months, a Craigslist ad and a couple friend-of-friend recommendations later, and Lawskof were official. "We all came up experiencing the electricity of going to punk and hardcore shows," says guitarist Keith Jackson. "We found ourselves not playing in bands at the time, for once, and wanted to recapture that energy again." On the docket is the band's first out-of-state tour, followed by, as Jackson puts it, "good things to come—hopefully." -- Scott Heisel - Alternative Press Magazine
In case you've missed our previous coverage of Lawskof, this should catch your eye (and ears). Sonically, this melodic punk quintet brings '90s punk bands (think Lagwagon and Propaghandi) to mind, with a modern twist. Today, we're premiering the music video for a brand-new single, titled "Ohio City Is Killing Me", which is also up for download on Bandcamp. The band will also be releasing its second EP and a split with Break Anchor this April. - More Than Sound Collective
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
A self-described melodic punk rock ensemble hailing from the city of Rock 'n' Roll, the band is made up of Tedd Smeznik (rhythm guitar and back-up vocals), Adam Brown (bass), Ryan Hardwick (lead vocals) Keith Jackson (lead guitar and back-up vocals), and Nick Pollice (drums).
The guys took their name from a cocktail called "The Scofflaw." Meaning "one who drinks illegally and mocks the law," the band liked the definition so much, they altered the spelling and made it their own.
Though they describe themselves as punk rock, don't pigeon hole them to a specific sound. The musicians take their influence from across the spectrum of rock music, including 90s punk, hardcore, pop punk and metal. All of these elements come together to create a unique sound, one that, in the words of Hardwick, "works out pretty damn well."
Earning comparisons to bands like The Gaslight Anthem, Saves the Day, and Strike Anywhere, Lawskof gives off a vibe that makes you want to have a good time. Case in point:
their show on the roof of East 4th St.'s Greenhouse Tavern earlier this month where they managed to transform a street known for its dining into a punk rock concert.
"The songs are just fun and energetic and it's hard not to rage during shows," Hardwick described. "A lot of the songs have this blue-collar Cleveland vibe, and, if you're from the city, you can really relate to them."
-Kelsey Smith, The Cauldron (Local newspaper)
Band Members
Links
