Since Low Profile formed in 1998 they have achieved some impressive statistics: over 60 shows played throughout Chicagoland from the Loop to far reaching suburbs such as Homewood-Flossmore and Rockford; 5 independantly released, truly DIY full length enhanced CDs (3 of which are reviewed on www.punkrockreviews.com) and even 2 live albums. But their most important success has certainly been the love and hate from bands and music fans across the land. There doesn't seem varying degrees of these opposite emotions when it comes to Low Profile. Without a doubt, the experience of a live gig -- or an introduction to the members themselves at one of their many shows, or other shows where they can be often found when off for the night -- Low Profile will definately elicit a fucking response from you.

Having played with at least 10 fotpunk bands and being fans of numerous others, Low Profile has earned their stripes in the game. Enhanced CDs with full color 3 panel + inserts, and full length material -- not 3 songs total or songs repeated from other releases -- are available for only $4 on their website at zero profit to the band (and nothing to offset the cost involved in creating these works). Come to a show and you'll probably end up getting one for free, with god knows what other types of free merchandise: from stickers to T-shirts. The bands loss is your gain, and the members themselves have no problem with proving that to you at their own expense.

Low Profile cites amongst many influences as the Misfits and New York Hardcore like Youth of Today and Gorilla Biscuits -- although their abrasive and heavy style of punk rock may or may not include the elements you might expect after hearing such a description. Despite the hardcore influence, you will often find Low Profile shows including a wide range of other styles from the bands they choose to play with. You will quickly come to realize that while sometimes cacophonic sounds eminate from their insturments which crosses genres, it does so without inducing the annoying ear swill that achieves nothing with its vagueness. Broad sets of sounds and styles do not in this case mean a lack of focus. Low Profile's point is sharpened like the stake that they will drive into your soul. Highly concentrated and planned out with a strategy usually worthy only of global war, many will die in its wake as Low Profile drives on crushing its foes.

www.lowpro708.com is one of the largest band sites on the web -- rather then waste space with boring, posturing biographys and other bullshit, you will find a motherlode of information about the band in general. A massive area is dedicated to the bands Low Profile has shared the stage with. If you ever find yourself on the bill with Low Profile, rest assured you will quickly realize their estimation of you -- from straight, biting criticism to mad props. Another massive page contains information and pictures from nearly every of the countless venues Low Profile has visited. But most popular is the 'Shows/Timeline' section, which chronicles every cd release and gig, with times and dates and full reviews written by one or more of the members. These often scathing show reviews can be lengthy and some detail even the most seemingly unimportant events. Site statistics can truly attest to the popularity of these show reviews. A new review on a Monday morning after a wild weekend has the hits to prove this area of the site to be extremely informative, as well as entertaining. Recently a public backlash or sorts has often come onto the sites webmasters for percieved laziness in posting these reviews. The people demand more. And they shall recieve!

You can avoid Low Profile. You can write dasardly statements on their guestbook and message board. You can refuse to buy their CDs and avoid the shows. But no matter what you do, you cannot avoid their far reach into the scene itself from every band to every show. The famed '7 degrees of seperation' are knocked down to 2 or 3 when it comes to Low Profile. And they're watching you now. Are you ready?