Dr. Riffs is not a licensed medical professional and is legally required to stay at least 500 feet from any office of podiatry in the Summit County area.

A bad song, even played well, is still a bad song.  But a good song played well is always good and that’s what the lowlies do best.  Here is a band that goes to a new place musically.  Let’s call it the Twilight Zone of sound.  The band’s songs deal with everything from the ridiculous to the sublime, silly to serious. For example, “Marilyn” recalls Pee Wee Herman’s arrest while masturbating to a Marilyn Chambers movie.  “Drown” explores the regret of things that go unsaid till it’s too late.  “Dead Man Too” tells of a zombie who wishes he were dead (really dead).  “Murder Machine” is the theme song to the soon-to-be –released Twisted Spine Productions’ horror film.  Hardly standard fare.

the lowlies carry you away on a guided discovery, a trip if you will, into their lyrical visions of sci-fi, horror and slices of life.  There are no poser antics or artificial contrivances in this music.  It’s a genuine potent elixir of sound distilled from the bizarre communal mind pool of three band members.  With strong instrumental skill and solid vocals (even harmonies) combined with extraordinary songwriting talent these guys make every song stick in your head like gunk in a bong.  These are songs with real melodies.  You find yourself humming the tunes absent-mindedly while standing in the checkout line. (Singing “Dead Man Too” in the showers at the gym might be a mistake though). And there’s a hook! No kidding!  Imagine songs with a chorus, verse and a bridge!  That’s rare as hell these days and mighty refreshing.

It would be unfair to try to make any comparison of this band with anything you’ve ever heard. I’m not copping out; it’s just a fact. The list of their musical influences would be absurdly long.   the lowlies’ choice of subject matter and melodic structure sets them apart from the contemporary mainstream and their forebears.  It’s a new flavor.  And you’ll like it!

Tommy Rock—“The Beyondo Mondo Record Party” WAPS Akron, Ohio


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