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Anti-Lou (1995-2000), the quintessential cow pasture rock ‘n roll band of the mid-to-late nineties, stole more girlfriends from each other than they did their fans. Born in the midst of adolescent hormones, bad hairstyles, and nicotine poisoning, the band changed lineups numerous times (Derek Smith - original drummer, John Howard - guitarist, Dwayne Davis - bass, Joshua Holt - guitar, Jeff Pillow - vocals) before cementing their legacy in a cow pasture between Cullen and Madisonville, VA at a little place known as the Cabin. But hell, who can forget the Mule Barn? Or the house Derek told us we had permission to practice in but really didn't until the cops showed up?

But yes, when it all boils down to it, The Cabin is how you knew them.  You may have even had sex on one of the mattresses upstairs or rowed one of our boats in the watershed buck naked at one point in time.  Perhaps you participated in a “Who Has The Harriest Ass Contest” or played strip poker in the “dining room.”  Or maybe you’re the asshole who always used the indoor bathroom when you knew we didn’t have running water or plumbing.  Nonetheless, you remember us well.

What was once an eighth grade dream filled with expectations of becoming the next Silverchair or Nirvana, Goldfinger, or Guns ‘N Roses quickly became a reality a few years later when we all actually bought instruments and learned how to play “Lithium.”  Though you remember us as “Anti-Lou,” we once considered such names as “Free Government Cheese” to lure in unsuspecting listeners who wanted “free cheese;” as well as “Alien Pen Pal,” “Feed the Dead Fish,” and my personal favorite, “Burrito Fuzz.”

The final lineup consisted of Joshua Holt, also known as “Josh Holt” (guitar, vocals, bass), Jeff Pillow who now writes “Jeffrey Pillow” on his papers because he wants to be a writer and that sounds more literary-like (bass, vocals), Dwayne Davis, also known as Shaggy, not the reggae/R&B guy but the cartoon character (guitar, backing vocals), and Scott Hall who enjoys Zebra Cakes and Camel cigarettes (drums).  Known for their songs that made the girls drool and throw granny panties, but while at the same time made the guys in the audience slam dance or at least drink Natural Light, Anti-Lou was effin’ unstoppable.  They were Superman without the spandex and red underwear.  Their mix of switching vocalists to make drunk people think they were hallucinating was their number one ingredient.  They toured the world over back then.  But then again, the world at that time meant Lynchburg, Clarksville, Charlotte Court House, Drakes Branch, cow pastures, after-prom parties, birthday parties, regular parties, and our own parties, which were the shit and if you weren’t there then you were pretty much a loser.  No, I’m serious.  Everyone concurs on this point.

After the band disbanded, which can only be reminiscent of the Bryan Adams song, “Summer of 69,” the members of Anti-Lou broke off and started their own projects.  But first, let me show you what I mean by the band’s demise being like that Bryan Adams song I just mentioned: 

I got my first real six-string / Bought it at the five-and-dime / Played it till my fingers bled / It was the Summer of ’99 / Me and some guys from school / Had a band and we tried real hard / Jeff quit and Scott got married / I should have known we’d never get far / Oh but when I look back now / That summer seemed to last forever / And if I had the choice / Yeah, I’d always wanna be there / Those were the best days of my life.

Anywho, Scott and Dwayne formed Pinhook and recorded one album before dismantling around 2004; Jeff formed the short-lived punk band Scab and the Infections and then created a solo project under “scab the poet” to record the folk song, Fallen Angel, along with Dwayne; and Josh also recorded a solo demo, later moving to Southwest Virginia to help form the pop-punk band, The Trashbag Ponchos, which still exist today.

People liked us.  Now remember us.  Enjoy the greatest rock 'n roll band to ever step foot into a pile of cow manure and re-live your high school hangover all over again.

Track Listing: 

·         People (Joshua Holt - vocals)

·         Last Caress (Jeff Pillow - vocals)

·         Louie, Louie (Jeff Pillow - vocals)

·         Rearview Mirror (Dwayne Davis, Jeff Pillow, Joshua Holt - vocals)

·         The Lesbian Song (Joshua Holt - vocals)

·         The A-Chord Song (Joshua Holt – vocals)

·         Fallen Angel (Jeff Pillow – vocals)

All recordings took place at The Recording Zone with Jhon Ackerman.

Please visit the following links:

http://www.myspace.com/therecordingzone

http://www.myspace.com/thetrashbagponchos