Low Culture

Low Culture

Places To Hide

Dirtnap

Second album from Portland-by-way-of-New-Mexico Dirtnap favorites! Low Culture features members of Shang-A-Lang and Marked Men, splitting the sonic difference between the two—scrappy, melodic, and sometimes jangly garage-punk that is fast, catchy, and high-energy-as-hell, but also thoughtful. Since releasing their debut LP Screens, which quickly sold out its initial pressing and was well-received, a lot has been going on in Low Culture’s world. Most of the band has relocated from Las Cruces, NM to Portland, OR, with the last member soon to follow. They’ve released 7-inches on Dirtnap, Dead Broke, and La-Ti-Da Records. They found a new bass player in Chicago transplant Jay Castaldi (MOTO, Lynyrd’s Innards, more). The band helped form killer local hardcore band Macho Boys. Singer/guitarist Chris Mason has released tons of essential records on his great Dirt Cult Records label. They’ve done some touring, including high-profile shows like the Dirtnap Records Anniversary, Awesome Fest, Ottawa Explosion, and others. On Places To Hide, Low Culture nails the delicate balance between the band’s existing strengths and branching out into new territory. Personal, somewhat depressive lyrics still set the mood, although many of the songs also tackle social/political issues more directly than in the past. The production, by Stan Wright at Portland’s Buzz Or Howl Studios (Red Dons, Criminal Code, Pierced Arrows, tons more) accentuates the band’s more “punk” (as opposed to garage) side. All in all, this second album is a perfect follow up to a nearly perfect debut.

Low Culture

Screens

Dirtnap

***Scrappy, melodic garagepunk from Las Cruces, NM, featuring members of THE MARKED MEN and SHANG-A-LANG. In late 2011, when it was clear that Shang-A-Lang was coming to an end, CHRIS asked SAM and CADE (of TOTAL JOCK) if they wanted to start a new band. LOW CULTURE practiced a few times as a three-piece, but a few weeks later JOE (Marked Men/Shang-A-Lang) moved back to Las Cruces and joined the band. Low Culture’s first show was in early November 2011 was at Shang-A-Lang’s last show and the band's been moving full steam ahead ever since. With a few short regional trips and a tour of the Northeast and Canada with Iron Chic in support of their debut 7" under their belt, they're showing no signs of slowing down. A European tour is in the works for March of 2013 as well as many US dates as their work schedules will allow. Low Culture plays catchy garage punk that while not far removed from some of the members' previous projects, Shang-A-Lang, has a lot less emphasis on riffs and blown out recordings, and more emphasis on melody and crisp (while not necessarily “over-produced”) recordings. Produced by MARK RYAN (Marked Men/Mind Spiders) in Fort Worth, mastered by DAVE WILLIAMS (Crusades, Steve Adamyk Band) in Ottawa. This is their debut LP, with the promise of more to come.