Lowlife

by Andy Kellman Coming off like a dark hybrid of the Cocteau Twins and Joy Division/New Order, the Scottish band Lowlife was formed in 1985 by ex-Cocteau Twins (Garlands era) bassist Will Heggie and vocalist Craig Lorentson. Signed to the Nightshift label, the band debuted in 1985 with the six-song Rain EP. Their first full LP, Permanent Sleep, was released the following year. The Vain Delights 12" preceded the Diminuendo album in 1987, and another 12" release (Eternity Road) was out by the end of that year. 1988 saw the release of the four-song Swirl, It Swings EP and From a Scream to a Whisper, which compiled some of the group's best moments from singles and LPs alike. They continued through the mid-'90s, releasing 1989's Godhead, 1991's San Antorium, and 1995's Gush. Thanks to a minor reissuing campaign by Nightshift during 1990 and 1991, most of the band's early/previously vinyl-only work was issued on CD.