The Lashes are a band we are proud to make some room for here at Lookout. These six young men write and perform some of the smartest, catchiest power-pop style punk today without sounding trite or retro. Listening to them you're reminded of classic bands like The Babies and The Raspberries as well as band favorites The Strokes, The Libertines and The Exploding Hearts. While The Lashes wear their... Read More.

The Lashes are a band we are proud to make some room for here at Lookout. These six young men write and perform some of the smartest, catchiest power-pop style punk today without sounding trite or retro. Listening to them you're reminded of classic bands like The Babies and The Raspberries as well as band favorites The Strokes, The Libertines and The Exploding Hearts. While The Lashes wear their influences on their sleeves - or their ripped jeans more accurately - their own distinctive style and character is what you notice. They're scruffy sweet boys playing undeniably well crafted but also scruffy pop music about break-ups and make-outs.

They formed in Seattle in 2000 but half of the band has known each other since high school. Lead singer and songwriter Ben Lashes' own musical aspirations go back even further to listening to Beatles' records and writing songs with his father as a boy. None of The Lashes are originally from Seattle - they all moved there to form bands but found the incestuous and exclusive scene difficult to infiltrate. Their alienation, desire to play music, and love for each other have made The Lashes a tight unit - best friends that are intensely loyal. The line-up galvanized in 2002 and a show with label president Christopher Appelgren's band The Pattern was the first step towards a record deal with Lookout Records that was finalized earlier this year. The Lashes recorded their first EP, The Stupid Stupid, with veteran producer John Goodmanson; it was a dream come true for the boys. Through perseverance, incredible live shows, great songs and a whole mess of charm, The Lashes have found acceptance in the fickle Seattle scene. Now they've set their sites on the rest of the world, so make some room in your record collection and your hearts.