I still remember how I found about Crocodiles and their mix of lo and hi-fi atmospheric rock over a year ago. I was obsessed with US indie label Art Fag and the whole lo-fi scene and I fell in love with the band’s indecently good post punky debut album – 'Summer of Hate'. Also putting out singles and EPs on Art Fag were Graffiti Island, Ye Olde Maids, Pens and Reading Rainbow.
My love for lo-fi was so great and visceral that I started lowering my voice, wearing more black and generally becoming less conspicuous – it was then a way of life. But I didn’t stop there: I published my first zine ‘Dood’ and gave all these bands more than special mentions after having interviewed them and even got Pens to DJ at the launch party; quietly.
A year on I have changed, the zine is defunct and I raise my voice. Lo-fi went under the radar and never lived up to its potential; but wasn’t that the whole point of lo-fi in the first place? Also in the meantime many of the bands aforementioned released their first LPs with varying degrees of success and hype. But I couldn’t stop noticing Crocodile’s second album ‘Sleep Forever’ and how they (just like me) had mutated and become louder and bigger and stadium friendly and more psychedelic. And even as Ray “grime boy” Peakes in the office suggested they sound like an American version of the Horrors. But I have to admit that I liked the comparison and how their sound progressed. After all Crocodiles did tour with the Horrors for a reason.
We all have to reinvent ourselves and keep it fresh. Me and the croc rockers did it and we’re doing fine. I can only look back now and reminisce about lo-fi but then again why should I if there are always exciting new things coming our way. 'Sleep Forever is not out until September 13th but you can pre-order it now right here
Will
My love for lo-fi was so great and visceral that I started lowering my voice, wearing more black and generally becoming less conspicuous – it was then a way of life. But I didn’t stop there: I published my first zine ‘Dood’ and gave all these bands more than special mentions after having interviewed them and even got Pens to DJ at the launch party; quietly.
A year on I have changed, the zine is defunct and I raise my voice. Lo-fi went under the radar and never lived up to its potential; but wasn’t that the whole point of lo-fi in the first place? Also in the meantime many of the bands aforementioned released their first LPs with varying degrees of success and hype. But I couldn’t stop noticing Crocodile’s second album ‘Sleep Forever’ and how they (just like me) had mutated and become louder and bigger and stadium friendly and more psychedelic. And even as Ray “grime boy” Peakes in the office suggested they sound like an American version of the Horrors. But I have to admit that I liked the comparison and how their sound progressed. After all Crocodiles did tour with the Horrors for a reason.
We all have to reinvent ourselves and keep it fresh. Me and the croc rockers did it and we’re doing fine. I can only look back now and reminisce about lo-fi but then again why should I if there are always exciting new things coming our way. 'Sleep Forever is not out until September 13th but you can pre-order it now right here
Will
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