00001.31.01 - LENOLA

There are few bands as good in the studio or live as Lenola right now. While labeled "indie" due to their roots and D.I.Y. style, it is often hard for them to be categorized. Not that they want to be. Lenola has quietly created some of the coolest, noisiest and most melodic music of the last half of the 90's. And they did it all themselves. They released a myriad of singles and three full length albums via their own label, Tappersize. Just as their third full length album, 1999's brilliant My Invisible Name, began silencing some of the My Bloody Valentine whispers, they completely pulled back the reigns. Lenola began playing acoustic shows, a departure from the usual mind blowing, volume abusing shows of their rocking past. They released Radio Sessions, a sweet compilation of live and acoustic tracks that sounded more folk than reverb. "Slipping Under the Shadows", the first track on their latest EP, The Electric Tickle, is equal parts folk and studio effects. Currently, Lenola are preparing their fourth full length LP, Treat Me to Some Life, for release on March 13 via Philly's File 13 label. This album will undoubtedly re-define our perceptions of Lenola, once again. So, are they rock? folk? indie? "alternative"? Does it really matter? They stay true to the spirit of music, and that's all anyone ever need know. We recently, via the Internet, caught up with Sean Byrne (drums) and Dave Grubb (guitars) and asked them the things that are on the minds of Lenola fans around the world. And some that aren't.