"A lot of people have asked us if we have contacted a label, but music is not
always about the same thing," said Low Profile guitarist and lead singer, Eric
Williams, a former East Leyden student. "Everything we've done, we've had
control over. We didn't start playing to make money, or be popular, or impress
girls. We just wanted to make music."
Low Profile, which consists of Eric Williams, Erik Hilger, bass, and Rob Tarpey,
drums, has been making music for about 1 1/2 years. They formed when, as Tarpey
put it, "Me and Eric [Williams] were jamming with some people and it sucked, so
I asked him if he knew any bass players, and this guy [Erik] came over the next
weekend."
As for the name of the band, Williams said, "I stole it. A friend of mine
thought of it and said if he ever started a band that is what he would name it.
Well, he never started a band, so I took the name".
Their efforts thus far have yielded one CD, 15 Story Fireball, and the group
promises to have one or two more by November 13, when the group plays Uncle
Snorkey's on Roosevelt Road in Berwyn.
"We are definitely not a flash in the pan, and we're not a cover band. We have
about 20 original songs," according to Williams. "We also do about 50 covers,
so request your favorite at the next show," adds Hilger. They have no plans to
stop anytime soon and urge anyone and everyone to visit their website at
www.geocities.com/~satan165 or contact them via e-mail at
lowprofile@ameritech.net.
The frenzied nature of their live shows and overall sound were best summed up by
Tarpey who said, "Aggression needs a release. We're mostly influenced by old
hardcore bands. We're the one band in the world who doesn't want to be like
NOFX." Their songs are very hard and fast, and none of their songs are about
love or girls. They are, what they call, "anti-nice music."
At the recent Riverpalooza (see picture), Low Profile played a superb set of
fast, hardcore songs and a Blink 182 cover. The highlight of the show had to be
when Williams proceeded to mosh with some of the rowdy patrons while playing his
guitar the whole time.
"Come to our shows, and talk to us afterwards. We're really nice guys," said
Williams. "If you want us to come play a party or something, we usually will."
Low Profile also has some advice for people out there thinking of starting a
band. "Don't. But if you really want to, make sure you question your motives
beforehand and continue to do so," cautioned Tarpey. Williams added, "Don't do
it to be popular; do it to make music."
Low Profile urges everyone who went to their show last night at the Fireside,
and anyone who didn't go, to come out to Uncle Snorkey's November 13 (all ages--
7:00, over 21--10:30). They would especially like some girls to go and hit on
them. "We don't get any girls who are impressed by us playing our instruments,"
said Hilger. Williams added, "They usually think we're angry because of our
music, but we're actually nice guys."
--East Leyden Hi-Lites by Kris Metko, Entertainment Editor