Atolls (band)
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Defunct | 2014 |
| Headquarters | Geelong , Australia |
Key people | Lucas Skinner, Sam Ingles, Oli Grinter |
| Products | Music (Surf rock, fuzz-pop) |
Atolls was a surf-rock trio originating from Geelong, Australia, active between 2011 and 2014. The group included Lucas Skinner—known for his work with King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard—alongside members Sam Ingles and Oli Grinter. Their music, often described as "fuzz-pop" due to its prominent distortion effects, established them as a key presence within Geelong’s surf-rock community.
History
Atolls quickly gained recognition as a leading surf-rock ensemble in Geelong. Their initial releases, the tracks Mumble and Water (issued together as a b-side), were honored with Time Off's "Single Of The Week" accolade. Skinner was a strong advocate for distributing their material on cassette tapes, emphasizing the importance of this format for the band’s output. These songs subsequently appeared on their first extended play, Hair Machine, which mainly featured Skinner’s demos that contrasted stylistically with his work in King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard. The publication Inpress praised Hair Machine, suggesting it could become the "slacker anthem-of-the-year."
Following this, Atolls released a second EP titled New Dream, characterized by a fusion of "high and earthy tones" combined with a "laidback, garage goodness" vibe. Prior to this EP’s launch, they promoted it by releasing the single Dwell Breaker.
Style
Musically, Atolls occupied a space between bands like The Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and The Dandy Warhols, merging elements of psych-rock and surf-rock reminiscent of groups such as The Black Lips. Towards the end of their career, critics noted them as "criminally undervalued and perpetually overlooked."
Singles
- Dwell Breaker
- Mumble
- Water
- Worn
EPs
- Hair Machine (April 2013)
- New Dream (April 2014)
Legacy
After Atolls disbanded, Lucas Skinner reunited with Sam Ingles to create Heavy Moss, a psych-pop four-piece ensemble.