(Toronto, ON – October 6, 2023) – Today, Lowest of the Low released their sixth studio album, Welcome to the Plunderdome, via Sonic Envy Music. Featuring 12 self-produced tracks from the legendary Canadian Indie Rock Hall of Famers, Welcome to the Plunderdome showcases a revitalized band deeply committed to delivering melodic and thought-provoking rock in a uniquely Lowest of the Low way; with the passion and commitment of punk. Stream Welcome to the Plunderdome HERE.
The joyous video for the new single “Hey Kid (You Got Soul!)” has over 130K views. Featuring a strong ska element and sizzling guitars, the adrenalized cut certainly validates frontman/principal songwriter Ron Hawkins’ claim that Lowest of the Low remains a band happily, “full of piss and vinegar.”
Directed and shot by Low drummer David Ray Alexander, the video features @Aranivah, who created some of her wildly popular social media videos specifically for the song. Member of NYC band Ratas En Zelo, self-described as “Immigrant Latinas delivering estrogen-fueled accordion punk,” Aranivah’s unique alternative dance videos have garnered over 7.1 Million likes on TikTok alone.
LOTL is currently on the road, wrapping up in Hamilton on November 9 featuring guests The Discarded. Joining the Low on the other remaining show dates is indie rock band By Divine Right.
It’s been six years since bassist Greg Smith (The Weakerthans) and guitarist/vocalist Michael McKenzie joined core members Ron Hawkins (vocals, guitars), Lawrence Nichols (guitars, vocals, harmonica, keyboards), and David Alexander (drums), and frontman/principal songwriter Hawkins couldn’t be happier at how this unit has gelled.
“Not since the early days of The Low 1.0 has the band felt so tight as a unit, all cylinders firing in the same direction,” Hawkins stresses. “It is just a great hang. Everyone has the freedom to play what they want to play and arrange together, and in our regular Monday rehearsal sessions, we are now writing songs together. We go, ‘let’s just fuck around and act like teenagers!’”
The previous LOTL album, 2019’s Agitpop, was recorded at elite Toronto studio Union Sound with heavyweight producer David Bottrill (Peter Gabriel, Tool), but the band seized the recording reins this time around. Building upon the momentum of rehearsals at Green Door Studio, the intimate Toronto space run by John Critchley (13 Engines), The Low laid down bed tracks there, as well as at Red House (Michael McKenzie’s space) and Ron’s house. The engineering credits are shared by Critchley, Hawkins, McKenzie, and Nichols.
Ron notes, “This is the first time we’ve really produced a record together, and I’m thrilled at the results. I feel this is the perfect blend of capturing the energy of the band on the floor then adding a sprinkling of beautiful touches, like the horns.” A judiciously-employed horn section of top local players dubbed The Legitimizers adds vivid colours to many of the album tunes.
LOTL built a faithful following and a very full dance card on the strength of their joyous live shows, where they perfected their mix of clever wordplay, razor-sharp hooks and airtight harmonies. In 1996, 2000, and again in 2005, Chart Magazine honoured LOTL’s 1991 landmark, platinum-selling debut album, Shakespeare My Butt, with spots in the top 10 of the Top 100 Canadian Albums of All Time. The debut became the best-selling independent release in Canadian history at the time. In 2008, Lowest of the Low was inducted into the Canadian Indie Rock Hall of Fame.
Welcome to the Plunderdome Tracklist:
01. Brave New World
02. Hey Kid (You Got Soul!)
03. On a Bad Day
04. Cheer Up, Charli
05. Armageddon Street
06. Wrong Way Round
07. Boomerang
08. Landslide
09. When the Boot Comes Down
10. Glass Towers
11. S.O.S.
12. Rainy Day Parades and Purple Hearts
Upcoming Tour Dates:
OCT 6 – Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall*
OCT 12 – Kingston, ON – Broom Factory*
OCT 13 – Ottawa, ON – Bronson Centre*
OCT 14 – Peterborough, ON – Market Hall*
NOV 9 – Hamilton, ON – Bridgeworks w/The Discarded
* = w/By Divine Right
