Atolls (band)

Atolls
Background information
GenresSurf rock
Years active2011-2014
Spinoff ofKing Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard
Past membersLucas Skinner, Sam Ingles, Oli Grinter
Websiteatolls.bandcamp.com

Atolls was an Australian surf-rock[a] trio from Geelong[b] fronted by Lucas Skinner from King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard alongside Sam Ingles and Oli Grinter that existed from 2011 to 2014.

History

Atolls was described as the leading surf-rock band coming out of the crowded Geelong surf-rock scene.[3] Their debut singles; Mumble and Water, would be released as a joint b-side which won Time Off's "Single Of The Week."[2] Lucas is a strong supporter of preserving cassettes as a form of media, and advocated strongly for the bands music to be released on tape.[4] Mumble and Water would later be released as part of the band's debut EP Hair Machine which was largely based on demos that Skinner created that fell outside King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard's style.[3] Inpress considered Hair Machine a potential "slacker anthem-of-the-year."[2]

The band would release a second EP, New Dream, the following year described as a "mixture of high and earthy tones" and "laidback, garage goodness." In the buildup to its release the band released one of the EP's songs, Dwell Breaker as a single.[5]

Style

The band was described as a middle ground between The Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and The Dandy Warhols with a blend of psych-rock and surf-rock similar to The Black Lips.[1] Near the end of the bands existence it was described as "criminally undervalued and perpetually overlooked."[5]

Discography

Singles

  • Dwell Breaker
  • Mumble
  • Water
  • Worn

EPs

  • Hair Machine (April 2013)
  • New Dream (April 2014)

Legacy

Lucas reunited with Ingles to form Heavy Moss a psych-pop quartet.[6]

Notes

  1. ^ sometimes labeled as "fuzz-pop" due to their frequent usage of distortion[1]
  2. ^ Sometimes lumped together with Melbourne[2]

References

  1. ^ a b O'Dea, Tom. "Introducing Atolls". Happy Magazine. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
  2. ^ a b c "Atolls". ABC. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
  3. ^ a b Narinli, Celline. "INTRODUCING: Atolls". whothehell.net. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
  4. ^ "Atolls – Lucas Skinner". Tone Deaf. Vinyl Group. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
  5. ^ a b Tell, Stephanie. "Live Review: Atolls, The Demon Parade". The Music. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
  6. ^ Pearis, Bill. "Heavy Moss (ft King Gizzard's Lucas Harwood) prep debut album: watch the "Star" video". Brooklyn Vegan. Retrieved 28 January 2025.