Lowlife

Lowlife are a Scottish alternative rock and dream pop band from Grangemouth, United Kingdom. They are active from 1985 to 1997 and are associated with post-punk, dream pop and ethereal wave. The group develops from the earlier band Dead Neighbours, which begins as an early-1980s psychobilly act in Grangemouth before shifting into a much more atmospheric style after Will Heggie joins.

Formation and early years

Dead Neighbours initially consists of Craig Lorentson on vocals, David Steel on bass, Ronnie Buchanan on guitar and Grant McDowall on drums. The band is managed by Brian Guthrie, brother of Robin Guthrie of Cocteau Twins, and records Harmony in Hell in 1982, which reaches the lower end of the UK independent charts. In 1983, Steel leaves during work on the second album, Strangedays/Strangeways. Heggie, who has recently left Cocteau Twins, helps complete the recording and joins the band for a tour supporting Johnny Thunders. He stays on afterwards, and the group begins writing new material with a markedly different sound. Buchanan leaves, Stuart Everest joins on guitar, and in 1984 the group adopts the name Lowlife.

Recordings and releases

In 1985, Lowlife records Rain, a six-song mini-album released on Nightshift Records, a label Guthrie forms specifically for the band. Nightshift issues all of the group’s later LPs, singles and EPs except for the final album, Gush, which appears on Anoise Annoys Records. Rain sells well enough to chart on independent listings in the UK, the US and France and receives generally positive reviews.

The band’s first album, Permanent Sleep, follows in 1986 and receives strong critical attention. That same year they release the EP Vain Delights, financed through an association with Working Week, the publishing company run by Jeff Chegwin. The track Hollow Gut receives radio play from John Peel and Janice Long on BBC Radio, and its video appears on UK television, including DEF II.

Diminuendo, recorded over six months and released in 1987, is generally regarded as the band’s strongest album. Later that year they issue the single Eternity Road and the EP Swirl It Swings. In 1989 they release Godhead, and in 1991 San Antorium follows after financial problems affect the band and Nightshift Records. Their fifth and final album, Gush, appears four years later. It receives muted reviews and the band does not tour in support of either San Antorium or Gush.

Line-up changes and later years

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the line-up changes several times. Everest leaves and is replaced by Hamish McIntosh. In early 1990, McDowall leaves after a soccer match accident in which he loses a finger, and McIntosh later departs to focus on his own band, Fuel. Hugh Duggie and Martin Fleming join on guitar and drums. The band continues to play fewer shows to smaller audiences, and in 1997 it effectively comes to an end without an official breakup.

Critical reputation and legacy

Lowlife never gain mainstream success, but they build a cult following. Their records attract praise from publications including Trouser Press, Melody Maker, Sounds, Record Mirror, Q and Music Week. A live set at the Town & Country Club in London is especially well received, and a BBC Scotland performance is broadcast on television in 1987. In 2006, the band’s back catalogue is reissued on CD with bonus tracks and liner notes by Brian Guthrie.

Personnel

The group’s core figures include Craig Lorentson, Will Heggie, Stuart Everest, Hamish McIntosh, Hugh Duggie, Martin Fleming and Grant McDowall, with the earliest line-up also including David Steel and Ronnie Buchanan.