What's Up! Magazine

Livingston Seagull’s Charlie Powers (guitar, vocals), Hans Klein (guitar) and Evan Franz (drums, vocals). Evan Anderson (bass) is not pictured. Photo by Patty Hastings

Livingston Seagull borrows its name from the Richard Bach novel, Jonathan Livingston Seagull, which follows a seagull’s passion to learn to fly. By marching to the beat of his own drum this bird becomes an outcast and then a leader through his adamant determination to fly. Livingston Seagull (the band) demonstrates similar tenacity in learning to work and succeed as musicians.

With Charlie Powers on guitar and vocals, Hans Klein on guitar, Evan Franz on drums and vocals, and Evan Anderson on bass, Livingston Seagull creates punk that is accessible. This group of students looks forward to diverse crowds, and their pop-punk tunes appeal to mixed audiences. “We’ve always been content with how we play,” Franz said.

Powers and Klein picked up music basics during junior high. After recruiting Anderson, Franz quickly learned drums, and LS began jamming in January 2009. Major influences include Jawbreaker, Blink 182, Leatherface, The Helen Killers, and Fugazi as well as their friends. Their respect for their friends who play music reflects a strong tie to the underground music community.

Livingston Seagull sings about, well, living. Most of the group grew up on Bainbridge Island and so a lot of their songs speak to living there. “All music is about our own experiences…we expand on those experiences,” Powers remarked. Experiences provide a real, tangible basis for song themes and purposes. Franz added, “Friendships are the most solid thing you have.”

Each member will write a song on guitar and together they perfect an idea. While label hunting they rely on collaboration. Practicing proves difficult with bassist Evan Anderson living in Seattle. Despite this challenge, LS will have more time to collaborate in the upcoming year. In the summer they hope to crank out a full-length album, and they are planning more shows and even a U.S. tour.

“We would love to go as far as possible,” Charlie noted.

Last time they went on tour, LS headed down the West Coast to play in San Francisco. Their lofty goals of traveling cross country all depend on booking venues. After their LP comes out, Livingston Seagull will have a stronger identity in the pop punk music community. All they need is a little branding to get their name out there and elbow grease to perfect their sound. Evan laughed, “We’re able to get our levels right, now.”

House show audiences have taken note of the way these guys rock. Playing in people’s living rooms creates a sense of equality between artist and audience member that LS enjoys. “We like it when people are up close to us,” Charlie added. “That has the best feel. It’s intimate.”

There’s something charming about these fun loving and ambitious guys who honestly play music simply because they love to play. While they gain confidence in their sound and become more melodic, LS proves they not only march to the beat of their own drum, but are an emerging act in the Bellingham music scene.