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the life and times
Alternative / Indie / Rock

thelifeandtimes.com



Kansas City, Missouri
United States

Profile Views:  259197




Last Login:  11/9/2009
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   the life and times: General Info
Member Since3/30/2005
Band Websitewww.thelifeandtimes.com
Band MembersAllen Epley - Voice, guitars, Rhodes, synth
Chris Metcalf - Drumkit, misc. percussion
Eric Abert - Bass, Moog

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Sounds Like
Tragic Boogie CD/LP
2009 Arena Rock Recording Co.
Que Sera Sera
Fall of the Angry Clowns
Let it Eat
Old Souls
Dull Knives
Pain Don't Hurt
Confetti
The Lucid Dream
Tragic Boogie
The Politics of Driving
Catching Crumbs
Little 4Notes


The Magician CDEP
2006 Stiff Slack Records
I know you are
Hush
Killing Them Softly
Ave Maria
The Sound of the Ground
[buy $8]


The Life and Times/Nueva Vulcano Split CD/10"
2006 Trece Grabaciones
My Parade (Muscle Cars Freeman Moxy Remix)
The Silent Take
Mighty Joe Moon
El beso en el Acuario
Palo Rosa
Llobarro
[buy CD$8 / 10"$10]


Suburban Hyms CD/LP
2005 Desoto Records
My Last Hostage
Coat of Arms
Charlotte St.
Muscle Cars
Skateland
Thrill Ride
Running Redlights
Shift Your Gaze
Mea Culpa
A Chorus of Crickets
[buy $12]


The Flat End of the Earth CDEP
2003 54 40' or Fight!
Raisin in the Sun
Houdini
High Scores
Movies and Books
Servo
The Flat End of the Earth
[buy $9]
Record LabelArena Rock / Desoto / Stiff Slack / Hawthorne St.
Type of LabelIndie


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   Upcoming Shows ( view all )
Nov 7 2009 8:00P
Mr Smalls w/ Get Up Kids and Kevin Devine Millvale, Pennsylvania
Nov 8 2009 8:00P
Newport Music Hall w/ Get Up Kids and Kevin Devine Columbus, Ohio

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   About the life and times
THE TURNPIKE- THE LIFE AND TIMES

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Since The Life and Times formed, oh, roughly 1,825 days ago and began disarming audiences and critics with unbelievably loud yet relentlessly beautiful music, the main constant for the band has been how uncategorizable they've remained. Sure, they're a "rock band", but one that skirts the boundaries of this word in each song, tipping their collective cap to the giants that loom in each melody.

Yes, they're still moody, spacey, sonically overwhelming, symphonic and always grandiose. But threading these traits together is the same obsessive attention to detail from singer Allen Epley, drummer Chris Metcalf and bassist Eric Abert that was the calling card of Suburban Hymns (DeSoto) and each subsequent release. The music made for their 2nd full length release Tragic Boogie (Arena Rock) reflects a process that's even more detail-obsessed than earlier efforts.

Quoth Allen Epley (gtr/vocs/etc), "We wanted to make the kind of record that a big-name band with a lot of money might make, except we don't have any money. But we said what the hell and decided to do it anyway by going in debt and built our own studio and recorded it in my basement". The result is a record with layered intricacies that rewards repeated listenings. It's also one that heavily scratches that rock itch, ahem, but doesn't drown you in Gee Whiz Factor bullshit.

The time granted by recording without being under the pro-studio-money clock was liberating. Some songs were recorded multiple times, trying different tempos and nuances. Songs like the title track 'Tragic Boogie' reflect an ethos of what they call "pre-post-production", where the idea is to try to "anticipate how we might manipulate the song in post on pro-tools, and then actually perform it that way as we were recording it, and not rely on post to create the effect". After recording , the bulk of tunes were mixed by Jason Livermore (Rise Against, Shiner) at The Blasting Room with the band and their fine-tooth combs in hand.

And though they have made a record for the ages, the live show is the proof. Blisteringly loud, unbelievably lush and brilliantly lit with white light, the sound created by these 3 gentlemen belies their numbers. The muscular 26" kickdrum thump of songs like 'Fall of the Angry Clowns' is not just heard live but felt in the belly. 'Let It Eat' recalls Blonde Redhead in 5th gear at 125mph, anchored by Eric Aberts' headbob-inducing bassline by the time we reach the chorus.

Where '07s The Magician EP (StiffSlack) echoed slivers of Floyd, My Bloody Valentine and Slowdive, Tragic Boogie finds them wearing multiple masks within one song, or even one verse. The majesty of 'Que Sera Sera' reflects an ethos of grandiosity of The Flaming Lips, while songs like 'Old Souls' and 'Catching Crumbs' owe a debt of gratitude to Doves and Interpol. And an instrumental with a name like 'Pain Don't Hurt' is proof that, while they are moody and melancholy, they refuse to take themselves too seriously.

Tragic Boogie, like the best albums made with unending attention to detail and looking to scale grand heights, never gets bogged down by the frippery. What really hits the listener are 12 foundation-changing rock songs that have been woven together with love and that slippery agent, time.


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the life and times's Friends Comments
Displaying 25 of 1332 comments  ( View All | Add Comment )
Kevin

Kevin



Nov 9 2009 3:31 AM

"Well then play that Diane Sawyer song or somethin."
ldbergeron

ldbergeron



Nov 8 2009 9:38 PM

Great show at Music Hall of Williamsburg.  Always enjoy it when you come through NYC.  Here are some photographs.

Fabian

Fabian



Oct 30 2009 8:55 PM

hey guys, I just got Tragic Boogie a couple weeks ago, and haven't stopped listening to it. I'd put it up there with "Lula Divinia" (I know-different band). 
when's the next NW stop? 
sometimes why

sometimes why



Oct 27 2009 11:53 PM

Great Show at The Phoenix on Sunday. Fuckin' rocked. Inspiring. Hope you enjoyed the creeper. Have a great tour. See you guys soon.   John
MIDNIGHT SHAKERS

MIDNIGHT SHAKERS



Oct 20 2009 6:33 PM

ROCK ON!
<--------
sleep agents

sleep agents



Oct 6 2009 5:57 AM

i want to open up for you
CHURN

CHURN



Oct 6 2009 2:41 AM

Wow, cannot write - need to go to sleep!  I meant to say, We are glad to see you are finally coming to Norfolk, Virginia. 



Thanks for coming this far south,
Churn
GHOSTWORK

GHOSTWORK



Oct 5 2009 6:57 PM

.....the recording was rewarding for those who were hoarding the guilt and the lust for the things we can't trust in the light or the dark  when the dogs like to bark at the cars and the rats that come filled with contacts to the sun and the stars indigo inside bars from behind we can climb now your record i'll rewind.........nice recording
PERSONA

PERSONA



Oct 3 2009 5:13 PM

Thanks, thanks, thanks!
The Turnpike

The Turnpike



Oct 1 2009 3:01 AM

Hey guys, thanks for being on our show!  Here's part of the episode!

Kim

Kim Keo



Sep 30 2009 3:01 PM

whats sup, droping by to show some luv! <3<3

WOUND

WOUND



Sep 30 2009 1:41 AM

good soundin shiz man..........
When We Were Us

When We Were Us



Sep 21 2009 6:06 PM



hello friend.

mellow the magnificent

mellow the magnificent



Sep 20 2009 6:22 PM

Awesome show last night. Glad you came back to Champaign. Can't wait to get Tragic Boogie on cassette!
Becka

Becka
Online Now!


Sep 19 2009 5:38 AM

great show last night, you guys are just so awesome live..you rock :)
Hippie

Nathan Bolek



Sep 18 2009 8:38 AM

Come back to Phoenix!!!!!!!
Kim

Kim Keo



Sep 18 2009 2:26 AM

loving the music! i really like the style!
MegaRon

MegaRon



Sep 15 2009 2:52 AM

Hey! Awesome music!!
Cruel Heart Society

Ken Vandivort



Sep 11 2009 6:01 AM

Hoooly crap. Enjoying the newest album. Please come back to Austin soon!
Coma Kick

Coma Kick



Sep 10 2009 4:57 PM

Thank you so much for the add! Rock on!
Becka

Becka
Online Now!


Aug 28 2009 5:08 AM

Haha I just moved back to the Chi suburbs from Kansas City..isn't the weather so much better here? But the people are much more mean in my opinion. Cigarettes, gas, rent/real estate..ugh very expensive compared to KC.
Yay shows!!! I'm gonna take a trip to Davenport to see ya then both nights at Metro cos you guys are just the best live :) Can't wait, TLAT Rock!
Front Stage Photography

F S P



Aug 27 2009 8:58 PM

Best of wishes with all of your upcoming events in life and music...

Enjoy your upcoming show at The Newport in Columbus, Ohio!
Peledik

Peledik



Aug 16 2009 4:47 AM

Another Great Album!!!!!
I really Love you Guys...
  
    I hope i can see you guys live....... Here in the Philippines!!!!!
mrbluetone

mrbluetone



Aug 14 2009 10:48 PM

Keep the Fuzz turned up!
mike

Mike Abortionrock



Aug 14 2009 6:57 AM

what happend to your webpage? i wanted to at LEAST order Tragic Boogie on vinyl (in addition to the japanese CD if i didn't get the 'fuck you' from Stiff Slack again...)...???

-mike
myspace.com/abortionrock
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