Living Things (band)

Living Things
Background information
OriginSt. Louis, Missouri, USA
GenresAlternative rock, garage rock, psychobilly, punk rock, dub
Years active2001–2011, 2020–present
LabelsDreamWorks, Universal, Jive
MembersLillian Berlin
Eve Berlin
Bosh Berlin
Cory Becker
Websitehttp://www.livingthingsband.com/

Living Things is an American punk rock band from St. Louis, Missouri. The band consists of the brothers Lillian Berlin (vocals/guitar), Eve Berlin (bass), and Bosh Berlin (drums), and Cory Becker (guitar).

History

[edit]

Brothers Lillian Berlin (born Lawrence Rothman), Eve Berlin (born Justin Yves Rothman and sometimes known as Yves Berlin), and Bosh Berlin (born Joshua Rothman) grew up in the suburbs of St. Louis. Future Living Things guitarist Cory Becker was a childhood friend.[1] The band self-released two early EPs produced by Steve Albini,[2] and gained the attention of several record labels. They first signed with Dreamworks Records, which released the album Black Skies in Broad Daylight in 2004, but the label then went bankrupt. Geffen Records also spent money to develop the band but then dropped them due to their controversial, politicized concert performances. They eventually signed with Jive Records.[3]

Living Things released the critically acclaimed album Ahead of the Lions in 2005. Produced by Steve Albini, the album ranked #42 on Rolling Stone Magazine's top 50 albums of the year.[4] The single "Bom Bom Bom" reached #21 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart.[5] Lillian Berlin published the book Postmortem Bliss via Apocrypha Press, describing his teenage years in which he was diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and became addicted to anti-depressants.[3] The book was adapted into a short film directed by Floria Sigismondi and broadcast on Turner Classic Movies in 2006.[6]

Living Things performing at the Mod Club Theatre in 2009.

Living Things released the album Habeas Corpus in 2009. Also in 2009, Eve Berlin participated in a photo shoot with fashion designer Roberto Cavalli.[7] In 2010 Lillian Berlin composed the original score for the film The Runaways.[8] Living Things self-released a series of songs in 2010 and announced an upcoming triple album,[9] though that album never appeared. They released a controversial video for the song "Har Megiddo" featuring a man having sexual intercourse with his car. Lillian Berlin stated that Ray Kurzweil's philosophy on "singularity" and society's love of machines were the inspirations for the video.[10]

The band ended regular activities in 2011. Lillian Berlin launched a solo career as a singer-songwriter under their given name Lawrence Rothman.[11] In January 2020 Living Things regrouped for the single "Take No Prisoners", a collaboration with Sunflower Bean for the film The Turning.[12] In May 2020 Living Things released their first new music in more than ten years, the three-song EP Shapeshifter, which was co-produced by Steve Albini.[13]

Members

[edit]
  • Lillian Berlin - vocals, guitar
  • Eve Berlin - bass
  • Bosh Berlin - drums
  • Cory Becker - guitar

Discography

[edit]

References

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  1. ^ "Biography: Living Things". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  2. ^ "Steve Albini to produce Living Things' full-length debut". Paste Magazine. 9 August 2005. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Living Things: Rock'n'Roll Music from the Front Line". The Independent. 24 March 2006. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  4. ^ "The Top 50 Records of 2005". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 19 December 2005. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  5. ^ "Chart History: Living Things". Billboard. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  6. ^ "Film Article: Postmortem Bliss". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  7. ^ "Kate Moss Cheating Allegations". The Sydney Morning Herald. 24 April 2009. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  8. ^ Hedengran, Stefan (February 2011). "Lillian Berlin of Living Things: Scoring Music for 'The Runaways' Film". Softube. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  9. ^ "untitled article". The New Philadelphia. 22 June 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  10. ^ Bronson, Kevin (10 November 2011). "Video: Living Things, 'Har Megiddo'". buzzbands.la. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  11. ^ Geffen, Sasha (11 October 2017). "Lawrence Rothman on Being Gender Fluid: "Why Do You Have to Check a Box That's Male or Female?"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  12. ^ "Listen to 'The Turning' soundtrack with original songs from Courtney Love, Girl in Red and more". NME Music News, Reviews, Videos, Galleries, Tickets and Blogs | NME.COM. 2020-01-24. Retrieved 2020-08-06.
  13. ^ "Living Things - Shapeshifter EP". Discogs. Retrieved 2020-08-06.
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