Look Afraid

Look Afraid^[1] is an Ohio-based rock band formed in 2007. They won the international competition called Famecast in December 2007.

History

Look Afraid was formed by Alex Nauth and Mat Franklin, previously of Sofapunch (a ska band with mild Ohio exposure).^[2][3] Alex "Lex Vegas" Mosie was called in to play drums, as he had filled in with Franklin and Nauth for previous projects and was a close personal friend of the two. Vegas was on a trip to West Virginia when Franklin called him saying "How would you like today to be the first day of the rest of your life?" which Vegas agreed was a good idea. Mike Ulanski who was playing in a local gutter punk band called The Proles became the original lead guitarist. When auditioning bass players, Ulanski suggested that Sam Duff, who was playing bass in The Proles, audition and he soon became a permanent member of Look Afraid. When Mike's time restraints with the Proles became too much for the band, the five of them agreed that Mike would step down and Cole Walsh-Davis, formerly of the Culling Song, was asked to join the group.

The now finalized lineup entered the studio with producer Brian Whitten to record their debut EP, Zombie Dance Party, in June 2007. The EP, along with nonstop playing, garnered Look Afraid a number of dedicated fans, who the band took to calling "Fraidy Cats", who would help the band tremendously as they won an international talent competition hosted by Famecast in December 2007.^[4] The band took home $10,000 and much press attention after beating hundreds of bands from around the world. Aaron Burgess of Spin Magazine was at their performance in Austin, Texas and called them "A Badass Rock Band" ^[5] (can be seen in print beneath the live performance video). Look Afraid also collaborated with legendary poster artist Jeff Gaither, who has designed images for the Misfits, Van Halen and Guns N' Roses, on two poster designs for a series of Halloween shows, one of which was featured on the cover of Miami University's Amusement Magazine.

The band rode this surge of attention back into the studio in January 2008, again with Whitten at the helm, to produce the Rock N' Roll Glory Hole EP. A much darker and more rock oriented disc than their first, the EP showed a maturity in the more seasoned band, and their live shows continued to garner attention. The band recorded their third Whitten-produced EP, entitled Drive, which included the track "Hell City," the official theme song of the Hell City tattoo convention, which was held in Columbus, Ohio on May 29–31, 2009. The song will also be featured on the official DVD of the festival which was released in Fall 2009.

Look Afraid recorded their fourth EP, a split with Cincinnati's Banderas called Hired Guns, with producer Mitch Wyatt in January 2009. The EP features two new original tracks as well as a cover of Banderas' "Ground Out Heel". The band contributed the song "Bring in the Tide" to the soundtrack of An Education in Rebellion, an upcoming biography of Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx, due out in 2010.

In addition to Look Afraid, Sam plays bass for Loudmouth, a punk band from Cincinnati, with original Look Afraid guitarist, Mike Ulanski.

Vegas, Mat, and Cole perform as Cadaver Dogs, and have opened up for various bands and recently had a very successful East Coast tour.

Alex is a member of Foxy Shazam, singing backup and playing trumpet. Look Afraid have opened for Foxy Shazam on tour and at Foxy's Snow Show at The Madison Theater in December 2008.

Look Afraid have shared the stage with a number of other notable bands including The Pink Spiders, Nightmare of You, River City Rebels, Drive By, Inhale Exhale, The Showdown, Karate High School, LoveHateHero, Blessed By A Broken Heart, Dr. Manhattan, The A.K.A.'s, Agraceful, The Wonder Years, I See Stars, The Bad Rabbits, and The Young Veins.

"[Look Afraid] have grown into a full-scale, badass rock band that could easily slide into any number of scenes and take over. And while I realize image isn't everything, the fact that you guys even LOOK like a rock 'n' roll band will only add points for all the industry scumbags out there scouting for a new band to break....Whether it's on a Warped Tour up-and-comer stage or as support for some suit-wearing Scandinavian rock-revival gods, I predict we'll all be hearing and seeing much more from you in the very near future." -Aaron Burgess, Writer for SPIN/Revolver/Alternative Press

"Oxford, Home of Miami University, isn't quite the most conducive environment for budding young bands that want to play original music...That being said, it's all the more impressive when something original is born in the college town. The Pop Punk outfit LOOK AFRAID...constructs a throbbing, thrashing, uptempo sound in the vein of Coheed and Cambria...The band is building momentum from the recognition of its members' past projects and the accessible and danceable sound they are now creating..." -City Beat Aug. 8-14-07 ^[6]

“Look Afraid will go down in history as a band that makes damn sure they’re the life of the party wherever they go – whether they’re kicking over their drumset, smashing their guitars, or simultaneously spraying fans with beer from their mouths”. -Miami Quarterly

“Look Afraid has proven themselves to be infectious, danceable, and face-melting all at the same time and has deservedly begun to ascend past the doldrums of paying one’s dues in the college town scene”. -Amusement Magazine

New Look Afraid album nabbing rave reviews "[Rock N’ Roll Glory Hole] is full of energy your body instinctively reacts to when your ears process the aural information. Personality permeates every song on Glory Hole; 'Whiskey Trigger Finger' is no exception. It’s driving rock-and-roll, dripping with attitude – and grooves – and balances rebellion and independence with the right proportion of pop sensibilities. It’s been stated: Every Look Afraid song is unique. [They’re] the kinds of songs to catch every ear, without regard to personal musical tastes." -A&R Select

Members

• Alex Nauth: vocals
• Mat Franklin: guitar
• Cole Walsh-Davis: guitar
• Sam Duff: bass
• Alex "Lex Vegas" Mosie: drums

Discography

EPs

• Zombie Dance Party (2007)
• Rock N' Roll Glory Hole (2008)
• Drive (2008)
• Anthology (2010)

Split EP

• Hired Guns (with Banderas (band)) (2009)

References