Formed in 2004 as a way for the members of the ska scene to get involved, In The Face is a Lowell-based (formed at UMass Lowell, and frequently plays concerts there) ska-punk band. They have gone through multiple lineup changes, and currently, there is one member (Kevin Athas) of the original band still with them. Currently, their sound is moving more towards that of a ska-core persuasion, with Kevin on vocals, providing the throaty singing seen in such other successful ska-core bands as The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, The Delegates and more.
The band manages to diversify themselves from other ska-punk/ska-core bands nowadays by using more that just one vocalist at a time. This is most prevalent in the song, “Just Say Anything”, in which Kevin and the lead vocalist (at the time) sing a harmony, something rarely seen in bands having anything to do with the punk scene.
They have released one album to date, “All Business”, meeting with what could be considered financial success in the world of a $5 donation paying for gas on a tour. Though they have yet to meet with great national fame, they have a large following on the East Coast, focused around the Boston and Lowell areas. This is not to imply that they don’t have fans in other areas; in fact, the popular ska-based webcomic 21deadmonkeys references them repeatedly, and Boston (the antagonist) is often seen wearing In The Face shirts or hoodies.
Throughout their career, they have played with such other bands as The Planet Smashers, Tip The Van, Interrobang?!, Pointless Security, Mile 21, Stealing From Peter, Lemon Lime Tennis Shoes, Westbound Train, Bomb the Music Industry! and more. |
