From the album Diminuendo released in 1987 on Nightshift Records UK.
Originally the band were called Dead Neighbours and were more of a post punk/psychobilly band with a sound more akin to The Cramps, although you wouldn't believe that from the track featured below! They were managed by Brian Guthrie (brother of Robin Guthrie of The Cocteau Twins) Brian persuaded Will Heggie to do some bass playing for the band after his departure from the Cocteau Twins in 1983 after their original bass guitarist David Steel left. Will Heggie's arrival began the process of a sound shift for the band, evidently the change in style didn't appeal to guitarist Ronnie Buchanan who would also leave to be replaced by Stuart Everest.
Catch Dead Neighbours with the track 'Wreckage Of Your Mind' below taken from the album 'Strangedays: Strangeways' released on the independent 'Sharko' record label in 1985.
For the more 'psychobilly' sound have a listen to the track 'Crawlin' Viper' below, it was originally released on the 'Harmony In Hell' album in 1984. You can get the full track listing at Discogs.com.
Lowlife Band & Formation:
- David Steel (Bass)
- Grant McDowall (drums)
- Craig Lorentson (Vocals)
- Ronnie Buchanan (Guitar)
In 1984 they adopted a new name 'LOWLiFE' taken from the P.i.L. song and also a newer sound akin perhaps more to bands such as The Chameleons. The release of 'Diminuendo', the band's second album in 1987 seemed to be well received by the music press and the band toured supporting The Go-Betweens.
Have a listen to '
Permanent Sleep' released in 1986 on 12" E.P. entitled 'Vain Delights'
Nightshift & Financial Problems
Nightshift Records UK underwent some financial problems in the early 90's following the collapse of Rough Trade Distribution and Guthrie had to borrow money to finance the release of the band's fourth album 'San Antorium'.
By the time of LOWLiFE's album 'Gush' the band had changed labels to 'Anoise Annoys Records'. It was to be the band's last release, they lasted until 1997 playing less live gigs and releasing no more records, they seemed to fade out rather than officially break up. Looking at their releases on
Discogs they managed to punt out a total of seven albums between 1985-95 and three singles/E.P's, check out the releases at the link.
Nightshift & Other Acts
The label also released other acts including this short lived dream pop sounding band called This Scarlet Train who were from Falkirk in Scotland and active in 1986/7. Catch their sound at the link
This Scarlet Train - Fimbria. The link is to the full mini album released by the label in 1987, I really like it shame they didn't stick about longer. They were a 3 piece outfit consisting of:
- Stuart Nelson - Bass Guitar and Voice
- Robert Polson - Guitar
- Steven Docherty - Drums
Their sound is somewhat Cocteau Twins along with echoes of The Cure and The Bunnymen, to me at least a kind of dream pop/post punk/jangle pop kind of sound.
Have a read of the interview with Robert Polson at the
CloudberryRecords.com site.
Garlands, The Cocteau's With Will Heggie
Just for good measure have a listen to The Cocteau Twins with Will Heggie and his amazing bass lines from the album 'Garlands' released on the 4AD Label in 1982 with the track '
The Hollow Men' at the link. You certainly get echoes of of Lowlife's inspirations from The Cocteau Twins material.
Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by
following meFurther Information & Sources
