Lowly Minions

          A strange thing about this band is how it wasn't started sooner. Eric, Aleks and Aarron became friends in high school. Aarron at this time was playing drums in a punk band named Phruff while Eric and Aleks had both been playing guitar for some time already. They would jam together frequently in Aarron's garage with no real aspirations of becoming a band. Their musical influences were very much the same since they, along with a group of a few very close friends, were inseparable. They would see each other everyday. Most of the time, just simply passing the days with nothing better to do. Punk was the most prominent soundtrack coming from the speakers. With albums such as Dookie, Enema of the State, Too Late...No Friends, And Out Come the Wolves and Punk in Drublic being worn out. Many good times and bad times were had as the group grew up together. After high school, Eric had decided to form a band now that he had a few (very blunt) songs written. One night, telling Aarron that he was frustrated about not being able to find a suitable drummer, Aarron feeling almost insulted said, "Why the fuck not me?" Now that Phruff was dissolved Aarron was ready for something new. Aleks was a no brainer for bass and they were off. They played as a three piece for around 5 years using the moniker "Top Notch Amateur," mostly playing the 5 to 10 original songs they had and punk covers. Eric and Atom became acquainted around this time. Atom impressed Eric with his guitar playing immediately and also brought more hardcore/thrash/metal influences with him which the group thought would make things more interesting. They started writing some new material, some of which has stuck with the band and appeared on their first album (...it was disaster then). Up to this point the band had been playing any show they could find. Most of the time performing in basements and back yards of any of their friends who's parents were out of town. A battle of the bands was announced in their hometown of Cambridge Ontario and they decided to enter. A new name was needed for the new line up and when it came time to submit an application for the band battle, Eric just wrote down "Lowly Minions," for lack of an alternative. The band finished 2nd in the competition out of 50 bands and were given studio time from Studio A in Kitchener Ontario. With this time they began work on their debut album "...it was disaster then." The whole album was recording in pure punk style, being recorded in 4 days, all mostly live off the floor. Filled with distorted guitars, gritty vocals and "fast as shit" drum rhythms, the album is a fantastic blend of great melodies and harmonies with just enough dirt. The album was officially released February 28, 2015. The band in true punk form mostly distributes CDs at shows and word of mouth with no help from a label, thus providing total creative control for the band over every aspect.
          Lowly Minions provides a much needed outlet for Aarron, Aleks, Atom and Eric to be creative and to tinker in the passion that unites them all, PUNK ROCK! More importantly, it allows a great excuse to keep their amazing friendships alive and well, even in the chaos of their busy lives. They strive to carve out a small corner for themselves in the Southern Ontario music scene and beyond.