The Low Lows
The Low Lows were an American avant-garde Americana/Alternative country band. Their final lineup consisted of Mangham Parker, Brockett Hamilton, Matt Verta-Ray and Zachary Larkins.
The Low Lows was formed in Athens, Georgia in 2005, originally consisting of lead vocalist and guitarist Mangham Parker (aka Parker Noon), organist Daniel Rickard, and drummer Jeremy Wheatley, all of whom are former members of the band Parker and Lily. Parker was the only constant in the band, as Rickard and Wheatley left the band in 2008 and there have been several other musicians who have joined the band and left since the band was formed.
They have toured extensively in the U.S. and Europe, playing with as many as fourteen musicians at once and receiving much critical acclaim including playing for popular venues, including Austin City Limits.
In 2006, they released their debut album, Fire On the Bright Sky, followed by their single Elizabeth Pier (2007) and in 2008, they released their second full-length album Shining Violence. After three years of touring, in early February 2011, it was reported that in the upcoming months, they would be releasing a new full-length album titled Gaudy Frame, however the album was postponed. In March, 2013, it was reported that two new albums would be released in succession in 2013. These were identified as the above-mentioned Gaudy Frame and a second album titled Light All The Lights, but were never released. They disbanded and Monk Parker (also used as an alias of Mangham Parker) was formed as a spin-off in 2015.
The Low Lows songs are often considered haunting, surreal and melancholic. Their choruses often grow to become appropriately "noise drenched" and swell with a dissonance, toying with chaos, yet somehow remaining elegant, often resolving with an underlying sense of familiarity.
Their style is consistently referred to as experimental, lo-fi alternative rock. Their choice of instruments (see link below: members/instruments) is also likely the reason they are also often considered alt-country or progressive country with old gospel influences. For reasons not yet explained by the band, their MySpace page defines their style as simply thrash. They have been compared to bands such as South San Gabriel, Castanets, My Morning Jacket, Phosphorescent, and Band of Horses.
Mangham Parker (aka Parker Noon) - lead vocals, vox, guitar (2005–2015)
Matt Verta-Ray (2005–2015)
Brockett Hamilton - lap steel guitar, harmonica (2009–2015)
Zachary Larkins (2012–2015)
References
Daniel Rickard - acoustic guitar, bass organ, harmonica, vocals (2005–2008)
Jeremy Wheatley - drums (on the first 5 tours and 2 records) (2005–2008)
Lily Wolfe (on the first 3 tours and 2 records) - organs etc. (2005–2008)
Christina Campanella (2005-2008)
Abram Shook - organ (Euro Tour '08) (2008-2008)
Patrick Ferguson - drums (2008-2008)
Bryan Crowell - guitar, farfisa, rhodes bass (2009-2012)
Nick Warrenchuck - trombone drums (2009-2011)
Greg McCue - drums (2009-2011)
Heidi Johnson - trombone, acetone organ, Wurlitzer (2009-2010)
Kullen Fuchs - trumpet and vibraphone (2009-2010)
Mike St.Claire - trombone and trumpet (2009-2011)
Matt Bricker - trumpet, acetone organ (2009-2010)
Brandon Newton (2012-2012)
Mikey Dwyer - bass (Euro Tour '08)
Eva Hanna - bass
Page Campbell - guitar
Matt Stossel - steel guitar
John Neff- steel guitar
Brent Jones - drums
Josiah McG - drums
Amanda Kapousouz - strings
Perrish and Bassam Mussad - trumpets
Kevin and David Nelson - trombones
Jared Theis - clarinet
Darian Mola Momanee - trumpet and tambourine
Paul Simpson - singing saw
Nick Warrenchuk - trombone
References
Fire On the Bright Sky - 2006 (Warm)
Shining Violence - 2008 (Monotreme)
Elizabeth Pier - 2007 (Monotreme)
Official website
Last.fm: The Low Lows
Allmusic: The Low Lows
Warm Records: The Low Lows
Monotreme Records: The Low Lows
Misra Records: The Low Lows
Last.fm: Lily and Parker
Similar Artists