Lawrence Arms - Lawrence Arms
by Anna Gudaniec
published: 16 / 4 / 2006
intro
In the latest in our Photoscapes series, Anna Gudaniec photographs Chicago hardcore trio the Lawrence Arms at the London Mean Fiddler
The Lawrence Arms take their name from an apartment complex on the Northside of Chicago that members Brendan Kelly and Chris McCaughan lived in until they were evicted in the middle of the night The band , who as well as Kelly (bass/vocals) and McCaughan (guitar/vocals) also consists of Neil Hennessy (drums), have garnered a reputation for both intellectuality and comedy, their music merging socio-political concerns and literary references to writers such as Mikhail Bulgakov with surreal, abstract humour. They have a gruff, but melodic hardcore punk sound, and have to date released four albums. Their first two albums, 'A Guided Tour of Chicago' (1999) and 'Ghost Stories' (2000), came out on Asian Man Records, while their two most recent CDs, 'The Greatest Story Ever Told' (2003) and this year's 'Oh Calcutta' have been released on NOFX bassist and singer Fat Mike's Fat Weeck Chords. While Kelly used to do nearly all the singing, he now shares vocal duties with McCaughan. Kelly's vocals are frantic and harsh and McCaughan's are more relaxed and softer. Later records found vocals split, but on 'Oh Calcutta' both singers have sung on every song for the first time. The Lawrence Arms formed originally wth the intention of just being a studio act, but have since gone on to play over 700 shows and have a fiery live reputation. They are currently in the middle of a world tour. These photographs were taken by Anna Gudaniec at the Mean Fiddler in London on April 13th
Picture Gallery:-
interviews |
Interview (2003) |
Punk group the Lawrence Arms' latest album. 'The Greatest Story Ever Told' takes some of its influences from literature. Guitarist and vocalist Chris speaks to Alex Halls about the trio's first four years together |
live reviews |
Joseph's Well, Leeds, 24/4/2004 |
In the secluded venue of Joseph's Well In Leeds. Alex Halls sees Chicago-based trio the Lawrence Arms "capture the audience with an array of sing-a-long tunes and fiery punk rock" |
reviews |
Oh Calcutta ! (2006) |
Worth-the-wait follow-up from thought-provoking punks the Lawrence Arms to 'The Greatest Story Ever Told', their groundbreaking last album of three years ago |
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
previous editions
Microdisney - The Clock Comes Down the StairsHeavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EP
World Party - Interview
Michael Lindsay Hogg - Interview
Ain't That Always The Way - Alan Horne After The Sound of Young Scotland 2
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Dwina Gibb - Interview
World Party - Interview with Karl Wallinger
Barrie Barlow - Interview
Prisoners - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Marika Hackman - Big SighSerious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning Dew
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Banter - Heroes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart