Punchy drums and strong, nostalgic vocals. LST IN HLYWD throws us straight into the young adults’ world, producing mid-tempo, catchy songs since the winter of 2020. Their latest release: “Summer Valentine” portrays the simplicities of summer love and blacking out through the weekend – a newfound euphoria from the chaos of summer.
This pop-punk anthem hits from the beginning, getting directly to the point and excluding any bullshit: “Baby won’t you be my summer valentine.” Temporary – and sometimes desperate – flings, drinks, and parties bring out the best of summer and highlight this upbeat tune. Simple and sweet drums uplift its listeners to headbang and sing along with the animated lyrics. LST IN HLYWD specializes in feel-good-pop punk filled with snarky guitar riffs and dreamy sounds.
“We only got one chance at a night like this. So, let’s live like we won’t remember it,” Rose sings to a clever, catchy melody and the lyrics are delivered with the perfect level of emotion for the subject of the song: freedom, lack of responsibility, and pure fun. Exciting visuals show the four-piece in ripped tights, purple hair, and those 70s curls, really animating their pop-punk feel.
Despite the band forming around 2021, they have each developed their musical skills years before. This quartet comprised of a drummer whose been playing for over ten years, a rhythm guitarist who specialized in classical music for about a decade, and extremely passionate bandmates who bring to the table what many bands recently have been lacking: a true connection with each other and their listeners. As they don’t strive for fame and instead a genuine connection with their sound and their audience, they create something that connects with others on a whole new level. “We have a very positive community with amazing fans,” they explain, “[If] watching us live can make our audience forget about their lives and be able to have a good time for however long it is. That’s what we are here for.” Frankly, that’s precisely what they do, whether it’s through Spotify or watching them live, their listeners are always in for a good time.
“Rose (lead singer/guitarist) and Chris King (drummer) have been in and out of bands together ever since they met when they were 12/13 in a Long & Mcquade Rock Camp.” The band continues to explain, “Damian met Catherine (rhythm guitarist) at a Struts show in 2019, and during 2021 when Damian was forming the band he asked Catherine to play [alongside them.] Damian met Lana (bassist) through Unionville Theatre Company’s production of Cinderella where he played the role of The Prince.”
Their inspirations lie in the very classics of this broad genre of music. Rose shares that his uncle Rob introduced him to the sheer beginnings of Rock & Roll. “I remember him showing me Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Dream Theater, White Zombie, Ozzy Osbourne, among many others, and it blew my mind. I was instantly into music for the rest of my life.” For rhythm guitarist Catherine Carter her music evolved from classical piano to drums, guitars, and singing. Upon discovering rock, she decided to teach herself to play guitar.
Despite popular admiration for their most recent single, it’s unjust to go without listening to earlier releases like “Wish You Were Her(e)” and “Bittersweet”. As they share a similar sound to “Summer Valentine” they stick out as uniquely their own sounds, bringing something new and distinctive to music outlets every time they create. “Being home for two years from Covid I found I really had to entertain myself and sometimes I would create stories to pass the time. That’s where a song like “Wish You Were Her(e)” or “Bittersweet” comes in,” Damian Rose shares. Their music comes from life experiences of fun that give everyone just under 4 minutes to let loose.
I look forward to hearing more from them! And I highly recommend giving them a listen if your music tastes falls anywhere in the subgenre of pop-punk/rock.
