lowell (10)

Band from Baltimore, Maryland, USA - often cased as "lowell" (name beginning with a lowercased "L"). lowell was active from 1998-2001 and was created at The University of Maryland, Baltimore County by Greg Rago (Guitars), Michael W. Nestor (Guitars/Vocals), Chris Shelley (Drums), and Matt Crum (Bass). After recording a self-titled EP in March 1999, Mike Cichocki joined on bass. While building an audience by releasing a series of EPs and playing shows in Baltimore and DC, lowell was featured on area radio stations like WRNR, WWDC, WIYY and WHFS-as well as on Baltimore-area college radio. lowell recorded a debut full-length with Frank Marchand in July, 2001-titled "The Ten Houses and the Falling Leaves. " In the fall of 2001, the band broke up without officially releasing the record. In early 2002 "Houses" was released by Nestor along with an EP of additional tracks titled "B-Sides And Hidden Treasures". lowell played music influenced by the combination of post-rock, alternative rock, late 90's emo, and late-90's Midwest college indie rock (Hum, My Vitriol, Radiohead, The Promise Ring, Sunny Day Real Estate). The Maryland Music Monthly said in a 2002 review of "Houses"... "lowell showcases their indie chops and their ability to write dark but memorable rock music...very impressive...the band proves that it can build a sonic landscape that can lull you into quiet places before soaring you to varying heights." Releasing "Houses" inspired Nestor (Underlined Passages, ex-The Seldon Plan, Pupa's Window) to form the Beechfields Record Label. Rago went on to form the well regarded Baltimore band Yeveto.