Lifesavers Underground

Lifesavers Underground (a.k.a. LSU, and L.S. Underground) was one of many Michael Knott projects. The band formed in 1986 and combined elements of an earlier Knott project called Idle Lovell and LSU's sunnier alter ego Lifesavers.

Lifesavers Underground
Also known as	Lifesavors, Lifesavers, Lifesavers Underground, L.S. Underground
Origin	California, U.S.
Genres	Rock new wave post-punk gothic rock (early)
Years active	1986–1998
Labels	MCR Frontline Alarma Blonde Vinyl
Members	Michael Knott Brian Doidge Joshua Lory Jim Chaffin Rick McDonough
Past members	Mark Krischak Kevin Annis Chris Wimber Brian Goins

Lifesavers Underground combined elements of punk, post punk, funk, hard rock, and other forms of music.^{[citation needed]} In 1987 Lifesavers Underground released their debut album, Shaded Pain. This was followed in 1989 with Wakin' Up the Dead.

1991 saw the release of This Is the Healing, utilising a drum machine and Knott playing most of the musical instruments. The Grape Prophet (1993) was the first of rock operas by Knott.

Released in 1993, the fifth album was Cash in Chaos: World Tour. At this point Knott announced that he was changing the name of LSU to 'Cash in Chaos' (hence the mixed band name for this release).

1994's Grace Shaker was followed in 1998 by Dogfish Jones, another rock opera.

Despite inactivity from the LSU moniker in recent years, Knott announced in August 2008 that he has recorded a new album with Josh Lory, Jim Chaffin from the Crucified, Matt Biggers, Daniel Sonner and others.^{[citation needed]}

Discography

• Us Kids - The Lifesavors, 1981 (MRC)(Re-released on M8 Records in 2000, with the bonus album "My Life" added on.)^[1]
• Dream Life - The Lifesavors, 1983 (Refuge)
• A Kiss of Life - Lifesavers, 1986 (Frontline)
• Shaded Pain - Lifesavers Underground, 1987 (Frontline Records)
• Wakin' Up The Dead - Lifesavers Underground, 1989 (Blonde Vinyl)
• This Is The Healing - Lifesavers Underground, 1991 (Blonde Vinyl), Review: Cornerstone^[2]
• Poplife - Lifesavers, 1991 (Blonde Vinyl)
• The Grape Prophet - L.S. Underground, 1992 (Blonde Vinyl)
• Cash in Chaos: World Tour - LSU, 1993 (Siren Records)
• Grace Shaker - LSU, 1994 (Alarma Records)
• Huntington Beach - Lifesavers, 1995 (Brainstorm Artists, Intl), Review: HM Magazine^[3][4]
• Bring It Down Now - LSU, 1995 (Gray Dot)
• Dogfish Jones - LSU, 1998 (Light)
• Definitive Collection - LSU (and solo Michael Knott), 1998 (KMG), Review: HM Magazine^[5][6]
• Live at Cornerstone '91 and '93, Volumes 1 and 2 - LSU, 2000
• PTSD - L.S. Underground, 2010

Several bootlegs have appeared including 3-14-81 and The Nashville Demos from the early 80s. Much like Knott, Krischak has released several projects since the demise of Lifesavers including Generation XXX (2000) and Sci Fi Music Madness (2005).

References

1. Pogge, David M. (January–February 2000). . HM Magazine (81). ISSN 1066-6923. Archived from the original on October 20, 2000. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
2. Canfield, Dave (1991). "Reviews / This Is The Healing". Cornerstone. 20 (95): 34. ISSN 0275-2743.
3. Van Pelt, Doug (January–February 2000). "Indie Album Reviews: LIFESAVERS". HM Magazine (81). ISSN 1066-6923.
4. . October 20, 2000. Archived from the original on October 20, 2000.
5. Van Pelt, Doug (March–April 1999). "Album Reviews: Michael Knott / LSU definitive collection". HM Magazine (76). ISSN 1066-6923.
6. . July 14, 2001. Archived from the original on July 14, 2001.

External links

• XCHAKS Official Website
• gray dot profile