Up Up Down Down - Last Show Ever

Saturday - August 16 @ Audubon Auction House

August 15, 2008, 06:28 PM

Long-running, long-named indie outfit Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start will be playing their last show ever tomorrow night at The Auction House in Audubon, NJ.

For all you wimps and sensitive types - or for that matter, anyone who can't make it to Saturday's festivities - the band will also be playing an acoustic pre-last-show show tonight at Tunes in Marlton, NJ.

Joining Up Up Down Down for both performances will be Lincoln, Nebraska's Tie These Hands.

While Up Up Down Down's touring schedule has been admittedly light over the past couple years, the early part of their career found them traveling the country at a time when indie meant independent and emo had nothing to do with jabbing yourself in the arm with your dad's rusty screwdriver. That is what kids are doing these days, right?

According to front man Steve Poponi, "We have been doing this band with various line-ups for about 10 years, and after making Worst Band Name Ever, I am happy to go out on a good note and pursue other fun stuff (fatherhood, golf, taste testing)."

The last decade has blessed us with some amazing music from Up Up Down Down: the seminal debut full-length And Nothing Is #1, the equally impressive follow-up EP, Perris, CA, and their last release, the aforementioned Worst Band Name Ever. They were also one of the first bands to dive into the realm of free music (waaaay back in 2005) with The Internet EP and the Girls Names EP. Both are still available for download, as are additional releases, videos and other odds and ends. Check it here.

It's unclear what the future holds for Poponi, Up Up Down Down's one constant over the years. He'll certainly be involved with indie rock in some capacity as he continues to record music for bands at his Gradwell House studios. It's a good thing for me, since a big chunk of the Beartrap roster (Jena Berlin, Scream Hello, Braindead, Into It. Over It., Makeout Party, Brass) have recorded albums there. Either way, if you're anywhere near the Philly area, it will be well-worth your time to attend these shows. After all, it's the end of an era. A really great era.

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