Lower Than Atlantis
Plus: The Dangerous Summer,
Don Broco
Electric Ballroom, London
11.10.2012
Words: Jenny Chu
Lower Than Alantis are a quartet from Watford now on their
third full length album they’ve turned some heads with their punk rock sound
never ceasing to amaze those present. Only touring their 2011 release ‘World
Record’ earlier this year they’ve come back not even a fortnight after the
release of ‘Changing Tune’ to do what they do best; pull the curtains on the
LTA catalogue.
In support of channelling
great music The Dangerous Summer is no exception, capturing the essence of pure
and timely punk rock vision. Sure they seem almost apathetic but they let their
lyrics whisk away the crowd. The Dangerous Summer has similar DNA to that of
early Jimmy Eat World meets Foo Fighters. Singer and bassist AJ Perdomo can
only be described as highly aspiring with vocal tones that are mellow and
blossom into a well-defined immaculate melody.
‘This has been the one date on the tour we’ve been most
looking forward to’ frontman Rob Damiani cheekily tells the sold out venue. Anyone
would think this was their show and
everyone was here to see them. But in
actual fact they’re just on a support slot to good friends- Lower Than
Atlantis.
Not even half way through opening song ‘Priorities’ and Rob
takes the lead to begin their distinguishable routine of ‘The Walk’, which
see’s three of the members walk in unison on the spot. There’s something
convivial about their practiced dance routines.
Before you know it the majority of the 1100 people here
tonight seem to be in a festival mood, singing back every lyric on their pals’
shoulders. It’s a scene to remember.
Taking to the stage in a well-polished manner, Lower Than
Atlantis come stomping into their set. Giving the British rock scene a run for
its money and sounding arguably furiously exciting with a serious dose of
adrenaline. ‘Love Someone Else’ gets things moving and it is the individual’s
great British accent that is moulded to fit a band full of charisma resulting
in a modest triumph. Modest indeed when frontman Mike Duce tells the sold out
venue ‘We’re just for normal guys who came from nothing’. An exquisite talent
that all four have mastered suitably fits their bold statement songs such as
‘(Motor) Way Of Life’ and ‘Beech Like The Tree’ both off their second studio
album ‘World Record’. Rewarding their fans with ‘Go On Strike’, ‘PMA’ and
‘Normally Strange’ off recently released ‘Changing Tune’ is remarkably sung
back leaving the quartet to absorb how much they’ve achieved and what really is
in store for them in the future. Testing Lower Than Atlantis is ‘Scared Of The
Dark’, stripped down and laid bare Mike Duce is left to unveil his pure vocals
and he does it to exceptional strengths. How they can go from being armed with
serious rock elements to almost a ballad/love story moment goes to show these
guys have so much more to give and we’re here to take it all in.
Playing it safe with ‘High At Five’ and ‘Marilyn’s Mansion’
more well known to guarantee a miraculous portion of power electrified between
the band and their fans. It’s clear the band have given it some thought as to
what to close the sold out London date with and what better way than to go with
‘Another Sad Song’ that really does set the scene for raised lighters and teary
eyes. Serious for a moment yes, that is until ‘Deadliest Catch’ hits out and
once again we’re back to the Lower Than Atlantis we always knew and loved-
intense yet authentic.
