Laconic Shade

After years of establishing a fan-base in Atlanta's clubs, Lud-Low released a seven-song EP entitled Laconic Shade last year. Laconic Shade features slower, more melodic tunes like "Cantalever" and the "Sober"- esque "Parasite", as well as heavier, thrash-influenced cuts like "Splinter" and "Imperfect By Nature." With its intricate musicianship and heady lyrical content, Laconic Shade shows the band progressing from its influences and creating a sound of its own on the Atlanta scene. Lud-Low originally formed as a four piece in the summer of 1997 when guitarist Justin Schilf answered ads that Slone and Dorward had out at the same time. The band's original drummer Eric Jackson (who is "still a friend and carries our equipment," according to Schilf) was later replaced by current drummer Sean Leak and the addition of a second guitarist and backup vocalist, Brad Goforth, solidified the band's lineup. Once the members had been established, it was then time to come up with a name. While Star Wars geeks may recall a character named Ludlow (Greedo's brother) from the 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special, the band insists that is not the source of its moniker. "That would be a cool reason to have our name," says Schilf.