LOWLIVES

Starting up a new project from scratch can often be a daunting task, especially if the names attached to said endeavour are well-known for stints in other relatively successful bands. That’s the mountain that LOWLIVES find themselves facing, as former members of THE DEFILED, NO DEVOTION and THE ATARIS join forces to form a brand new outfit of a very different kind.

Roaring right out of the gates and opening with a resounding bang, squealing feedback and pounding drums announce the arrival of Burn Forever – the release’s title-track and centrepiece. Frontman Lee Villain, now shorn of his Stitch D persona from the THE DEFILED, immediately establishes himself here as a formidable vocal presence, packing a gritty roar of an approach that adds instant impact to a track that pretty much sets out a perfect statement of intent from the fledgling band. It takes mere minutes to realise that huge choruses are going to be the order of the day here, as the band manage to pull out what can only be described as one of the single catchiest hooks of perhaps the whole year on their first attempt here; crafting one hell of an earworm that’s so intense in its almost-pop nature that it sticks in the memory long after the track ends.

Black Hole, meanwhile, feels slightly different in tone, as the four-piece shift into a darker, grungier and more downbeat, but no-less-heavy tone. In fact, you’d be forgiven at times for almost mistaking LOWLIVES for NIRVANA at points during this particular track, such is the extent to which Villain appears to be channelling Kurt Cobain in his delivery. There’s also the minor case of an excellent mid-track breakdown to bring up, which serves as strong notice of just how hard the members of LOWLIVES can go, should they wish. Devolving things down to a delightfully sludgy chug, the band then close out with a sudden shift into an eerie soundscape of haunting feedback, giving a rare moment for the listener to catch their breath before the storm continues.

Up next comes Thieves, and the sound of the entire band simply letting loose with everything they’ve got. Distortion goes all the way up to 11 and then some, as the melodies are initially all but tossed out of the window in favour of a caustic punk-rock rager of a tune, as throat-shredding roars become very much the order of the day. Packed to the brim with yet more fiery energy, it’s a hard-hitting affair that very much seals LOWLIVES‘ track record as three-for-three thanks to yet more incredibly solid guitar-work and about as much musical subtlety as several nailbombs.

Closing out the EP on a somewhat different note is an acoustic reimagining of where it began with Burn Forever, taking the anarchic energy of its plugged in counterpart and transforming the cut into something that’s emotionally-charged in an entirely different way. Huge riffs and thunderous drums are totally stripped away here, replaced with sparse acoustic guitar and a melancholic melodic vocal that serves to highlight just how talented a vocalist Villain really is. Yes, it’s totally different to everything preceding it, perhaps jarringly so, but when it’s this impassioned it really is difficult to find fault.

In truth, perhaps the only weakness present on Burn Forever as a whole is that it simply ends too soon. Clocking in barely over 15 minutes and comprising just four tracks, it’s impossible not to be left with the feeling that this is merely an appetiser for what’s eventually to come from an incredibly promising new band.

Rating: 8/10 - Distorted Sound Magazine

Los Angeles based alt-rockers Lowlives have only been a band for just over a year although they certainly don’t lack experience. Featuring Lee Villain (ex-The Defiled frontman), Luke Johnson (Amen, No Devotion, Beat Union), Steve Lucarelli (The Ataris) and Jaxon Moore, the band have landed themselves a Maida Vale session, a forthcoming appearance at Leeds & Reading, followed by a support slot with The Used. They’re also set to drop their debut EP, ‘Burn Forever’.

Opening up with the title track, we’re treated to an initial onslaught of noisy feedback which effectively builds up some tension before breaking out into stomping Nirvana-esque guitars, with thundering drums racing us through the beat. Once the vocals start, they’re raw, sneery and full of rock attitude. By the time it gets to the catchy chorus, it’s easier to see why they’d be a good choice for that Used tour.

With a series of impressively long screams around the two and a half minute mark, ‘Black Hole’ is a heavy, guitar-driven onslaught, dripping with post-hardcore angst and dissonant, melodic chorus hooks. It’s third song ‘Thieves’ which is possibly the heaviest of the collection, however, hitting us with those grunge vibes and killer screams again – how does he hold his breath that long, really? There’s also some neat use of effects and echo on the vocals, and a spoken word sample in the breakdown. The snare is punchy and relentless, the rhythm section driving solidly throughout the song.



The EP ends with an acoustic version of ‘Burn Forever’, which shows off their versatility, highlighting Lee Villain’s vocal abilities.

Final song aside, these tracks are big and in your face. Lowlives mean business, and it’s easy to see why they’re attracting some attention already. Despite being a new band, their individual experiences show Lowlives have tonnes of potential and their full length, whenever it comes, will be interesting to hear.

4/5 - Already Heard

LOWLIVES – “Bones” – Death Culture Records – 27 April 2020

19/04/2020 News
West Coast based raucous grunge band LOWLIVES have announced the impending release of their new two track single “Bones”. Following the release of their 2018, EP “Burn Forever” and the release of 2020 single “Hey You” which premiered on BBC Radio 1, The band has just returned from their European tour with New Years Day where they stormed from stage to stage showing that rock’n’roll is a universal language. LOWLIVES have played multiple festival and toured the UK with The Used gaining a following at every date through their energetic and authentic live shows. LOWLIVES are a newer band, but their stage performance and songwriting expose the band’s members as veteran musicians that worked with bands like The Defiled, The Ataris, No Devotion, LostProphets, and Once Nothing.

“Bones” will be available digitally everywhere on April 27th, 2020. - Rock N Load Magazine

Lowlives
The O2 Ritz, Manchester
30 August 2018

Louder Than War went along to the O2 Ritz in Manchester to check out the guitar-driven hard rock band Lowlives.

Together less than a year, Lowlives, is formed of former members of The Ataris, The Defiled and No Devotion among others. Their combined creativity has created heady anticipation for their combined output. Former Defiled Stich D has become front man Lee Villain with drummer Luke Johnson (No Devotion), bassist Steve Lucarelli (The Ataris) and guitarist Jaxon Moore to become Lowlives. Having already performed a Maida Vale session for BBC Radio 1’s Rock Show, selling out their first London headline show as well as taking this year’s Reading Festival Pit Stage by storm things are moving fast and all in the right direction.

Lowlives are not messing around tonight they are here to be heard and as their own entity: you can tell they want to leave the past where it is. Providing a thundering start to their performance at Manchester’s O2 The Ritz with Thieves a deeply dark slice of multi layered hard rock, that effectively lights internal fires. The audience tonight certainly seem on board and there is a fair number, unable to resist the allure of some head banging.

There is a striking motivation to Lowlives sound, okay so no reinvention of the wheel but they touch on many genres. Punk rock, post-hardcore and even some shuddering grunge, the kind we used to hear before it was called grunge. All bleeding together with a capricious agreeably. The smart use of feedback, a solid rhythm and plenty of explosive bass assists creates a graceful mayhem of sound.

Another track from Lowlives debut EP Burn Forever (digital release available now) Black Hole really fills that something heavier category by the time it reaches a roaring conclusion. As the set progresses the collaborative aspects of the band really comes together, providing a cohesive experience that feels confident and compelling.

The final two songs, of a dynamic set, are superbly executed eruptions. Hate possesses a refrain that quite frankly is an irresistible, it’s no-holds-barred sneering cut of grungy punk really hits the target. Burn Forever is a roller coaster of drums, guitars and a catchy treasure of a harmony, if this is what Lowlives can do now imagine what they will deliver in the next 12 months. - Louder Than War

With the release of their debut EP Burn Forever, Lowlives are one of the latest bands to join the ever-growing grunge revival movement, yet they do so with a few tricks hidden up their sleeve that set them apart from other bands repping the scene right now.

Title and opening track 'Burn Forever' perfectly encapsulates what this band is all about, heavy guitar riffs, smashing drums, huge choruses and more riffs; this is music made for mosh pits through and through. Fans of frontman Lee Villains (formerly known as Stitch D) previous band, The Defiled will already be aware of his impressive vocal capabilities, boasting an eleven second long scream on second track 'Black Hole' that could put most metalcore vocalists to shame. Also present within the band is drummer Luke 'Jocko' Johnson, who anyone coming over from his previous projects (Amen, No Devotion + more) will tell you, this man can absolutely slay a kit, his aggressive, pounding beats booming throughout each track. It'll take no more than a single listen to convince anyone that Luke is an experienced and talented musician.

'Thieves' comes in third, and is potentially the heaviest track present here, though not without its catchy sing-along moments. Guitarist Jaxon Moore brings some of the dirtiest, grungiest thrashing around as Lee unleashes another feral scream to kick this song in, while bassist Steve Lucarelli hammers in with some four string rhythmic action to keep the tempo up. The final track on the record is an acoustic rendition of Burn Forever, the more dark and harrowing tone complete with ghostly choir voices lurking in the background gives the song a completely different feel, allowing for a heavier emphasis on the lyrical content, letting the words sink in and connect in a way they couldn't before while you were too busy banging your head to them.

Lowlives feel important for this genre, they've stormed onto the scene as a collective of professional musicians with long, successful careers trailing behind them. They've done the time, they're used to life on the road and stage performances, this band knows what they are doing, and they are doing it well. In the vast landscape of emerging bands and musicians, you don't want to the one who passed up an opportunity to go see them while they were still playing small club shows, this band is a cut above the rest, and whether you pay attention to that fact now, or later, you're going to find out eventually.

Score: 9/10 - Noizze

The alternate grunge band ‘Lowlives’, have released their new two-track single, “Bones”.

The dynamic single consists of, ‘Bones’ and ‘Violent Dreams’ which uses a grungy palette of raw energy and power to drive the tracks.

It is clear that the band are cohesive as they match every note of both tracks with a freshly calibrated energy, providing them with their hardcore edge.

‘Bones’, the first track of the single, is driven by the heavy drums, gritty guitar riffs and vocal emotion. It is dominated by an underlying power that is intensified by the emotion in the main melody. The classic power track maintains a level of clarity and direction even through the coarse power of the electric guitar.

The second track, ‘Violent Dreams’ is brazenly fuelled by grunge and rock and develops into quite the earworm. The instruments and vocals are synced perfectly, communicating efficiently throughout without the risk of one overpowering another. The strength behind the bass and backing harmonies adds a certain depth and edge to the track which you can’t get out of your head. The two-track single from Lowlives is available digitally and was released 27th April 2020. - Original Rock