The Rose He Lied By

Conceived in October 1998, LOVE LIFE emerged in the Spring of 1999 nurturing the wantonness to perform and play music of which they were ultimately proud. The band's approach is familial and collective in it's maturity, focus and discipline- all of which manifest in the music. Members Katrina Ford (vocals), Anthony S. Malat (bass), Sean Antanaitis (guitar/organ), and Dave Bergander (drums) boast an impressive resume as a group that features individual histories with UNIVERSAL ORDER OF ARMAGEDDON, GREAT UNRAVELING, and JAKS. This shared experience as performance musicians is testament to the strong work ethic, mutual respect, and fervent creativity that has come to define LOVE LIFE. Following their highly anticipated live debut, LOVE LIFE toured the USA twice, (as well as numerous regional dates) and recorded their debut album The Rose He Lied By soon after. As Malat's bass drives each piece forward with long lines that swirl and jerk in odd time signatures, Bergander beats his drums likewise with an intuitive attention to detail, while Antanaitis' guitar/organ combination layers melodies with calculated restraint over Ford's finely crafted and guttural lyrics. The overall sound of the record is bolstered by piano, strings, and horn arrangements that serve to fill out an already robust and conversational composition. Some have called them a kin to such bands as THE BIRTHDAY PARTY, but we think they are a much darker and introspective group. LOVE LIFE's performances offer a welcomed antidote to the gimmickry that can plague live shows. They lack irony, and the music supports this direct approach. The setting of the venue affords the band the opportunity of expression and precision, thus proving an intimate and alarming experience. It is this progressive ideal which has brought them together as friends and musicians, and invariably made them into a family and this shows most importantly in the songs.