Artist The Lawrence Arms

The Lawrence Arms have always been an ambitious bunch. The Chicago punk trio formed in 1999 and immediately put out a full-length album, followed by yet another LP the next year. Their most lyrically packed, 2003’s The Greatest Story Ever Told, required extensive liner notes to explain all the historical and cultural references embedded within. Then, in 2007, the band embarked on a tour with two of the members’ side projects as openers. Ambition eventually takes its toll, and The Lawrence Arms, who specialize in infectious punk that’s equal parts furious and sentimental, cooled off for two years after with an EP, Buttsweat And Tears. The band’s latest release is a 10th anniversary DVD, An Evening of Extraordinary Circumstance, which came out in 2011.

Updated 12/20/2011