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
John McKay - InterviewRobert Forster - Interview
Cathode Ray - Interview
Spear Of Destiny - Interview
Fiona Hutchings - Interview
When Rivers Meet - Waterfront, Norwich, 29/5/2025
Carl Ewens - David Bowie 1964 to 1982 On Track: Every Album, Every Song
Chris Wade - Interview
Brian Wilson - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Shrag - Huw Stephens Session 08.12.10 and Marc Riley Session 21.03.12
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPBoomtown Rats - Ten Songs That Made Me Love....
Allan Clarke - Interview
Oasis - Oasis, Earl's Court, London, 1995
Manic Street Preachers - (Gig of a Lifetime) Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, December 1999
Barrie Barlow - Interview
Pixies - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Dwina Gibb - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Peter Doolan - I Am a Tree Rooted to the Spot and a Snake Moves Around Me,in a CircleGarbage - Let All That We Imagine Be The Light
Vinny Peculiar - Things Too Long Left Unsaid
Vultures - Liz Kershaw Session 16.06.88
John McKay - Sixes and #Sevens
Little Simz - Lotus
HAIM - I Quit
Morcheeba - Escape The Chaos
Pulp - More
Lapsley - I'm a Hurricane, I'm a Woman In Love
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