Living With Lions

ByLets Go Punk
Living with Lions formed in Vancouver in 2007

Living with Lions is a Canadian pop punk band formed in 2007 in Vancouver. They are signed to Black Box Music in Canada and Adeline Records in the United States, setting them up early for releases that could move across borders without the band having to change who they were.

Early releases and first full-length

Before their first major run of releases, the band recorded their debut EP, Dude Manor, in 2006 with Stu McKillop, a member of the now-disbanded Vancouver band Daggermouth. The EP came out in 2007 on Black Box. The next year, Living with Lions released their first full-length album, Make Your Mark.

After signing to Adeline Records, both early releases were re-released in 2009. Dude Manor was reissued on 10-inch vinyl, and Make Your Mark was reissued on 12-inch vinyl. Music videos were also made for “A Bottle of Charades” from Make Your Mark and “Later is Better” from Dude Manor.

Holy Shit and lineup changes

In early 2010, the band began preparing and recording their second full-length album, Holy Shit, with a release date set for May 17, 2011. Around the same time, the lineup shifted. Bassist Shayne Lundberg was replaced by Bill Crook of A Textbook Tragedy, and singer Matt Postal was replaced by Stuart Ross of Lowtalker and Misery Signals.

Holy Shit was released on May 17, 2011, shortly after a music video was released for “Honesty, Honestly.” The album was the first release to feature new vocalist Stu Ross, though Shayne Lundberg completed his bass parts for the record before Bill Crook officially joined.

Backlash over packaging

After Holy Shit came out, the band faced criticism from American media and the Canadian Heritage minister. The controversy focused on the album’s physical presentation, with packaging and liner notes that imitate the bible and depict Jesus Christ as a turd.

Later years and Island

In 2012, Stu Ross left the band to play guitar in Comeback Kid, and Matt Postal briefly returned. Postal’s last show with the band took place in August 2012. After that, Chase Brenneman took over sole lead vocals. The band later released their third album, Island, in 2018.

Bill Crook was also a member of Spiritbox from 2018 to 2022. He died in July 2024.

Members

  • Chase Brenneman, guitar and vocals
  • Landon Matz, guitar
  • Craig Spelliscy, guitar
  • Loren Legare, drums

Former members

  • Bill Crook, bass
  • Shayne Lundberg, bass
  • Stuart Ross, vocals
  • Matt Postal, vocals

Discography

  • Dude Manor (EP) (2007)
  • Make Your Mark (2008)
  • Holy Shit (2011)
  • Some of My Friends Appear Dead to Me (EP) (2013)
  • Island (2018)

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