Together for just a year now, the guys in Luther are quickly making a name for themselves by churning out stellar punk rock with little pretention and lots of purpose, in the vein of bands like The Replacements and Jimmy Eat World.
Their debut EP Siblings and Sevens was just put out by Black Numbers and the band has spent the past 12 months touring with folks like Anti-Flag, The Bouncing Souls and scene mates and neighbors in Philadelphia, The Menzingers.
Answering these questions from a Jimmy John's in Iowa, bassist/vocalist Greg Karlowitsch talked about the band’s influences and plans for full length, right before I accidentally jinxed the band by asking how the tour was going so far (the band wrecked their van the very next day – sorry guys).
How long has the band been together?
We actually just celebrated our one year anniversary on this tour. It was the same night we played with The Bouncing Souls and Broadway Calls, so you could imagine the 20-hour long hangover I had to deal with.
And where you did you guys first meet?
I've known Nick (guitar, vocals) and Andy (drums) for about a decade now. I always played in hardcore/metal bands growing up, and they played in pop punk bands, so there was never really a chance to play together until my musical tastes broadened (laughs). All three of us moved to Philadelphia around the same time, give or take a year, and we met Phil (guitar, vocals) by going to basement shows.
So is anyone from Philly?
Nick, Andy and I grew up in New Jersey. Phil grew up in a really tiny town called Drums, Pennsylvania. The town doesn't even have a Wikipedia page.
What’s the toughest thing about the Philly music scene right now?
The toughest thing is definitely the fact that every single band in Philly and the surrounding areas are ALL INCREDIBLY AWESOME. I mean, think about it. I live within five blocks of The Menzingers and The Holy Mess. When your neighbors are your peers, it makes for good block parties. We are all friends though, which kicks ass. For those not from Philly reading this article, check out Glocca Morra, One Win Choice, Ah Horse Hockey and Kite Party.
What can you tell me about Siblings and Sevens?
Well, I'm not going to say it’s a concept album by any means, but it is a release that was lyrically written in a specific time period and therefore has a lot of recurring themes. It wasn't necessarily intentional, but Nick writes in a way that seems to tie up loose ends pretty well.
What is the title a reference to?
Well, tying in the last question, there are a few recurring themes that bump in to each other and those two words seemed to sum up them up fairly well. I don't think there was a lot of discussion about what to call the album. It sort of just fell into place.
You’re in the middle of a pretty big tour right now? How’s it going so far?
It's going really smoothly. It’s our first full US tour, and we have had the privilege of playing with a great deal of incredible bands, such as The Bouncing Souls, Dead To Me, Banner Pilot, Broadway Calls, Anti-Flag, and more. Most of the tour has been with Tom May of The Menzingers which has been a real blast. He's sitting right behind me right now eating a hoagie...a FREE hoagie. Thanks Iowa!
Any plans for a full length anytime soon?
We are going to start writing as soon as we get home from this run, and we will probably get into the studio sometime in early to mid 2012.
What’s next for the band?
We have a split that should be coming out pretty soon, details TBA. Also, way more touring, way more beers, way more medicinal edibles and way less haircuts.
Anything else you want to add?
Thanks so much for taking time and talking to us!
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