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Lower Than Atlantis

From Alfawiki
Lower Than Atlantis
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded2007 in Watford, Hertfordshire, England
Defunct2019
Headquarters
Watford
,
England
ProductsStudio albums: Far Q, World Record, Changing Tune, Lower Than Atlantis, Safe in Sound
Websitewww.lowerthanatlantis.co.uk

Lower Than Atlantis was a rock ensemble originating from Watford, Hertfordshire, England. Established in 2007 initially as a hardcore punk group, their sound gradually shifted towards melodic rock over the course of five studio albums, culminating with 2017's Safe in Sound. The band's lineup comprised Mike Duce, who handled vocals, guitar, and songwriting, bassist Declan Hart, drummer Eddy Thrower, and guitarist Ben Sansom. They declared their split in December 2018 and wrapped up their career with three final shows in 2019.

2007–09: Formation and Bretton

Lower Than Atlantis came together in 2007 while the members were still in college. Guitarist Ben Sansom invited Mike Duce to join forces with his brother Luke as the vocalist. The early formation included bassist Richard Wilkinson and drummer Matt Britz. Originally named Atlantis, the band changed their name to Lower Than Atlantis to avoid confusion with other acts. After several lineup adjustments—adding drummer Josh Pickett and bassist Stephen Minter—and with Duce taking over lead vocals, they created their debut EP, Bretton, which was released via Small Town on 18 October 2008.

In June 2009, during a tour with We Stare at Mirrors, drummer Eddy Thrower joined Duce and Sansom. Bassist Declan Hart initially had reservations about joining due to the band's intense image. Additional personnel changes took place throughout the touring phase for the EP.

2009–11: Far Q and World Record

The band's first full-length album, Far Q, was released in March 2010 through A Wolf at Your Door Records in the UK, Distort Entertainment in Canada, and Redfield Records across Europe on limited edition mediabook CDs and white vinyl.

Recorded at Studio Glasseye in Hatfield, England with Daniel Lancaster, the album fused their punk origins with elements of post-hardcore and melodic hardcore.

Before Redfield Records' European release, a 10" split vinyl featuring the track "Far Q" alongside songs from Grace.Will.Fall, Talk Radio Talk, and MNMTS was issued in February 2010.

Their sophomore album, World Record, was produced at Outhouse Studios in Reading and released on 25 April 2011 via A Wolf at Your Door Records. Drawing heavily from alternative rock influences such as Jimmy Eat World and Foo Fighters, this record marked a significant increase in live audience attendance and radio exposure.

2012–13: Island Records and Changing Tune

On 27 January 2012, following the conclusion of their headline tour supporting World Record, Lower Than Atlantis announced their signing with Island Records. That summer, they performed at numerous prominent festivals including Hit the Deck, Camden Crawl, Slam Dunk, Download Festival, Y Not Festival, Hevy Festival, and Reading & Leeds Festival's Festival Republic Stage. Additionally, they appeared at Butserfest on 14 September and headlined Gloucester's Underground Festival on 30 September.

Their third studio album, Changing Tune, was recorded early in 2012 at Rockfield Studios in Wales and released on 1 October 2012. It reached number 25 on the UK Official Album Charts. To promote the album, they embarked on a UK headline tour from 1 to 11 October.

The lead single "Love Someone Else" debuted on Zane Lowe's Radio 1 show on 16 July 2012 and maintained a musical style consistent with that of World Record.

Towards the end of 2012, they issued a Christmas single titled "Merry Christmas (Wherever You Are)", which gained considerable traction on social media with the hashtag #LTAforchristmasnumber1 trending across the UK. This song was also featured in a Christmas episode of Made in Chelsea.

In early 2013, Lower Than Atlantis supported All Time Low during their UK tour and played additional dates across the UK as well as a show in Paris that February.

April 2013 marked their most extensive UK headline tour up to that point—the "Fuck It to the Man Tour"—with support from Dinosaur Pile-Up, The Xcerts, and Blitz Kids.

2014–16: Partnership with Sony Records and Lower Than Atlantis

On 29 April 2014, the band revealed via social media that they had signed with Sony Records and intended to release their upcoming album under this label. Shortly afterward, it was confirmed they would appear on the NME stage at that year's Reading and Leeds Festival.

The first single, "Here We Go," launched on 2 June, marked their most commercially successful release up to that point.

Between July and early August, Lower Than Atlantis embarked on a UK tour alongside Decade and Yearbook.

On 12 August 2014, the group unveiled "English Kids in America," the second single from their self-titled fourth album, accompanied by a music video featuring tour footage. The album itself was released on 6 October and received favorable reviews for its sophisticated sound while retaining its rock foundations.

In November 2014, UK publication Rock Sound honored Lower Than Atlantis as the best album of the year. During the same month, the band supported A Day to Remember on their UK tour, sharing the stage with Decade.

December 2014 brought news of a UK & Ireland tour supported by PVRIS and We Are The Ocean. By April 2015, lead vocalist Mike Duce spoke in interviews about the band's musical growth and songwriting evolution.

All scheduled shows for their early 2015 tour were sold out before they began.

On 18 September 2015, they released "Get Over It," a track recorded just three weeks prior. The accompanying music video was directed by Andrew Groves.

"Get Over It" held the top position on the Kerrang! Chart for nearly thirteen weeks. A deluxe version of the album, named Lower Than Atlantis: Black, featured this single along with unreleased songs, studio covers, BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge performances, and acoustic renditions from the original record.

Following this, the band launched their most extensive headline tour so far, including a sold-out performance at London's Roundhouse.

In August 2016, they returned to perform on the Main Stage at Reading and Leeds Festival alongside artists such as Die Antwoord, Boy Better Know, and Chvrches.

2016–2019: Release of Safe in Sound and disbandment

Their fifth and final studio album, Safe in Sound, was released on 23 February through Sony Music Entertainment.

On 24 August 2016, they announced a UK tour spanning seven dates scheduled for March 2017, which they described as their "biggest ever UK tour."

Safe in Sound achieved their highest UK chart position yet, debuting at number eight.

The band declared their breakup on 2 December 2018, planning three farewell concerts in May 2019 that culminated in a final show at Brixton Academy in London on 11 May.

Musical style

Lower Than Atlantis initially emerged as a hardcore punk outfit, as demonstrated by their debut EP Bretton. Their first full-length release in 2010, Far Q, was characterized by melodic hardcore, post-hardcore, and punk rock. By the time of their 2011 album World Record, their sound had evolved towards alternative rock, hard rock, and pop rock. Subsequent releases moved further from their hardcore roots, embracing a more mainstream and accessible style.

Members

Final roster

  • Mike Duce – guitar (2007–2019), lead vocals (2008–2019), backing vocals (2007–2008), bass (2009–2010)
  • Ben Sansom – guitar (2007–2019)
  • Eddy Thrower – drums (2009–2019)
  • Declan Hart – bass (2010–2019)

Past members

  • Benjamin Jennings – bass (2009)
  • Stephen Minter – bass (2008–2009)
  • Josh Pickett – drums (2008–2009)
  • Richard Wilkinson – bass (2007–2008)
  • Matt Britz – drums (2007–2008)
  • Luke Sansom – lead vocals (2007–2008), bass (2009)
  • Lee Beaumont – lead vocals (2007)
Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

Sources

External links

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