LVL UP (US indie rock band)

LVL UP was an American lo-fi band from Purchase, New York, United States. LVL UP formed in 2011 at SUNY Purchase as a recording project between Mike Caridi, Dave Benton, and their friend Ben Smith, with the original intention of releasing a split cassette with Nick Corbo's then-solo material. They instead released their debut album, Space Brothers via Evil Weevil Records, as one band, and Greg Rutkin joined shortly afterwards for the group's first show. Smith left the band for personal reasons just before the release of second album Hoodwink'd, a joint release on Caridi and Benton's label Double Double Whammy and Exploding in Sound. In 2016, the band's third LP Return to Love was released by Sub Pop. The album received favorable reviews with comparisons being drawn to the works of Dinosaur Jr. and Pavement. On June 11, 2018, the band announced they were retiring the project after their fall tour. Their last show was September 28 in New York City. Mike Caridi – guitar, vocals Dave Benton – guitar, vocals Nick Corbo – bass, vocals Greg Rutkin – drums Ben Smith – guitar Studio albums Space Brothers (2011) Hoodwink'd (2014) Return to Love (2016) EPs Extra Worlds (2013) Three Songs (2015) Splits LVL UP / Porches 7" (2013) LVL UP / Krill / Ovlov / Radiator Hospital 7" (2014) LVL UP / Frankie Cosmos 7" (2018) "Official LVL UP Twitter account". Twitter.com. Green, Sasha (9 September 2014). "Exclusive Song Premiere and Interview: 'Ski Vacation,' LVL UP". Interview Magazine. Retrieved 3 January 2015. Rettig, James (16 September 2014). "Stream LVL UP Hoodwink'd (Stereogum Premiere)". Stereogum.com. Retrieved 3 January 2015. Geslani, Michelle (11 August 2014). "Listen: LVL UP's glimmering new song "I Feel Ok"". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 3 January 2015. Ambrosio, John (23 September 2014). "LVL UP, Hoodwink'd". Impose Magazine. Retrieved 3 January 2015. "Listen to a New Song from Lo-Fi Fuzz Rockers, LVL UP". Noisey.vice.com. 26 August 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2015. "LVL UP: Return to Love". Pitchfork. "A note from the band LVL UP". Intsagram.com. Archived from the original on 2021-12-26. Retrieved 7 December 2018.