LATEST STUFF
GIGSGIGSGIGSGIGS coming up! Lyrics on our blog and new songs in the pipeline. We also have 7" records for sale - a beautiful double A-side vinyl with tracks 'Three Squares' and 'Cardboard Box'. xxx
OLDER STUFF
In March 2008 Little Athletics launched Autumn Giants, their second independent EP. You can get it through Afterdark Records/Missing Link distribution (or direct from here - see below).
Mess and Noise said
A seasonally-titled release from the Melbourne trio, by way of follow up to their self-titled debut from 2006. Is this an EP or a mini-album? Regardless, there’s plenty to enjoy on this beautifully packaged disc. Indeed, they do themselves a disservice by mentioning grunge in the accompanying press release - there is something much more than the old soft-loud-soft format going on here.
Produced by the ubiquitous Loki Lockwood, the sound is clean and razor sharp. Bassless, and with two female singers sharing vocals, both of whom are comfortable enough in their own skins not to adopt any fake rock chick poses, they let the music do the talking. And it’s brash, in your face, sometimes harsh. They veer from the swagger of 'One Wasp', to 'Bright Black', with it’s stinging guitar runs and shouted “I wanna see what’s inside you” chorus, while the drums of the closing track 'Noughts And Crosses' clatter and pound like a nightmarish mutant cockroach seeking entry to your forehead, and twin guitars blur into a criss-crossed mesh of power and melody. (Trevor Block)
Time Off said
This second EP from Melbourne trio Little Athletics finds them unleashing six diverse tracks of unabashed rock’n’roll, unconventional in delivery and structure but containing enough intensity and passion to make this a substantive release. Using just two guitars and drums the trio have a unique sound, the dual female vocals combining well over the interweaving guitars and propulsive drumming. Tracks like ‘Dinosaur Bones’ and ‘Sharps’ have a distinctly 90s vibe, possible touchstones being early Magic Dirt or the grittier side of The Breeders, while ‘Screen God’ is grungier and closing track ‘Noughts And Crosses’ is perhaps the EP’s most accessible moment before it dissolves into noise. Sound like they’d be cool live, but until they visit this release is well worth checking out. (SG)
Bombshell Zine said
A Melbourne based three piece outfit are Little Athletics, two guitars and drums, and a nice raw / edgy rock sound with a grungy influence shining through. Female vocals also give it a hint of pop at times, but if you were to play pigeonhole games, you'd slot them in the 90's grunge / alternative category. Something we haven't really heard too much of with female vocals over the last few years, so it's a little refreshing. Six tracks are on offer, enough to get you interested in checking them out live, or if you pick it up at a show, biding you over till you can see them live again. Worth a listen if you like a bit of raw rock action.
You can purchase a copy of all of our records via paypal, or email us at littleathletics@yahoo.com.au. If you want more than one thing, best to email us so we can arrange combined postage a bit cheaper for ya!
SELF-TITLED 7" (Dec 2008) - $10.00
Autumn Giants (March 2008) - $10.00
Debut self-titled EP (November 2006) - $10.00
BIO
Little Athletics are taking over the world, one person at a time. In an age of rampant social networking and machine-made bleeps that try to sound like guitars, the Aths are sticking to their guns (read: axes). Since 2006 Melbourne’s alternative fuzz rock lovers have been absorbing the raw guitars and wild drums of their releases and live shows. 2006 saw the release of their debut self-titled EP, followed by the Autumn Giants EP in 2008 and a double A-side 7-inch featuring tracks ‘Three Squares’ and ‘Cardboard Box’. Both the vinyl and Autumn Giants were recorded by Loki Lockwood at Atlantis studios (The Drones, Beasts of Bourbon, Spencer P Jones).
When you hear the name Little Athletics you may think of a bunch of Saturday morning early birds ready to do some hurdles and stretches, but Ali, Brad and Meg occupy the realm of their feathered owl friend that adorns the cover of Autumn Giants. Little Athletics are the band that you might have heard of, but you can only really find if you venture out late at night. Over the last few years their untamed live show has seen them share stages with a genre-defying range of artists including Bob Log III, Digger and the Pussycats, Screamfeeder, Children Collide, Little Red, Six Ft Hick, Legends of Motorsport and even Lily Allen (don’t ask).
One by one the psychedelic pop hearts and indie rock lobsters have succumbed to the hook laden riffs, fuzzy feedback and pounding rhythms that is Little Athletics. From late 2009 the band will be taking their craft to a new level with a swag of fresh songs and recordings. So next time you venture out, look right and left, up and down and behind you for a glimpse of this rejuvenated nocturnal hunter.
