<p><span><span>- Seven years after their seminal debut LP <em>Dogging</em>, Warrang/Sydney underground punks Low Life honour their journey and the journeys of their muses on their third LP, <em>From Squats to Lots: The Agony and XTC of Low Life. </em></span></span></p>
<p><span><span>The metamorphosis of Low Life is profound and palpable, akin to a group of hungry maggots transforming into a family of flies. Firstly, they hatched in a share house on Rose Street in Chippendale, circa 2010 (watch <em>Ice Attack </em>film clip if you can find it). Secondly, they matured and developed their aesthetic by feasting on the decaying underbelly of contemporary society (listen to <em>Down at the Dogs</em>). And now they are fully grown, wings spread, with an evolved new sound and a performance at the Joan Sutherland Theatre of the Opera House for Vivid Live in 2020. It’s no wonder that Meanjn/Brisbane underground prodigy and legend <strong>Brendon Annesley</strong> (RIP) saw enough flesh-eating potential in these “piles” to contract the release of their debut LP; tragic that this was never able to occur. </span></span></p>
<p><span><span>To draw out the droning buzz of the metaphor a little further: in the same way maggots feast on dead flesh (which starves off infection, intended or not) Low Life, through their subject matter and lyrics, vehemently attack the undesirable elements of society which risk infecting us all. These include toxic masculinity, misogyny, the gap between the haves and the have-nots, and the stagnation of being trapped in a life you didn’t choose. While these themes are part of the Low Life DNA, on <em>From Squats to Lots: The Agony and XTC of Low Life</em> the focus of lyricist and lead vocalist <strong>Mitch Tolman</strong> shifts to sobering and deeply poetic stories of despair through a lens of survival, resilience, and triumph over adversity. Wading through the decay of his characters he is often dead pan, but there are moments of tenderness and rage, too, which are characteristic of Tolman’s own growth.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>The increasingly nuanced sound of Low Life owes much to their own adaptation, experimentation, and the company they keep. <strong>Dizzy Daldal </strong>and<strong> Yuta Matsumura </strong>(both of <strong>Orion </strong>and <strong>Oily Boys</strong>)<strong> </strong>have joined core trio <strong>Mitch Tolman</strong>, <strong>Greg Alfaro</strong> and <strong>Christian O’Sullivan, </strong>adding colour to their sound. <strong>Beth Tolman</strong>’s backing vocals soften the degradation of guitar, bass and drums. Low Life’s natural grit and grime are offset by textured cello, violin, trumpet and the glow of synthesisers and electric piano. Additionally, the production of collaborator <strong>Mickey Grossman</strong> requires special mention. Grossman’s engineering ability is now well documented by production of Low Life’s last LP <em>Downer Edn</em>, Oily Boys’ <em>Cro Memory Grin</em> and <strong>Den</strong>’s <em>Deep Cell</em> (he's also a member).</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>Low Life are transforming, changing the shape of the underground punk scene, but they also remain true to themselves. Low Life are honest. Low Life are real. Low Life are a lifeline for the scumbags, addicts, and obsessives. Low Life are the flies on the wall of every squat in Australia, giving hope and a voice to those struggling to survive. </span></span></p>
<p><span><span>- Tristan Birrell.</span></span></p>
<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 120px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2907607950/size=large/bgcol=f…; seamless><a href="https://lowlife.bandcamp.com/album/from-squats-to-lots-the-agony-and-xt… Squats To Lots: The Agony And XTC Of Low Life by Low Life</a></iframe>