Once in a while a band comes along and blows me the fuck away with their album or EP from the very first listen. And makes me an instant fan of their music.
Well I can say that's
what happened with the next band I am about to interview. The
brilliantly titled – LIZZARD WIZZARD.
This hard-rocking
Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal outfit have just released a brilliant début
album which is starting to pick up serious heat and praise within the
Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal scene. It's a stunning collection of awesome
riffs that will have you rocking out in no time at all.
This is what I said
about their excellent début album: “Ignore the crazy name of
the band and the crazy sounding sound titles and worship the awesome
riffs that Lizzard Wizzard have in store for you on their début
album. Lizzard Wizzard is a hard rocking and hard riffing unit with a
talent for playing sublime riffs. Tracks such as Twilight of the
Terminator, Chaaaarles, Bong Dive, and Game Of Clones will have you
head-banging in no time at all.
If you are a fan
of Conan, Traitors Return To Earth, Kyuss, High On Fire and Sleep
then you seriously need to check these guys out, as this album will
speak to your inner rock-demon. Just like the awesome album, cover
which screams at you to play this album at full blast.”
Well as usual we had to
find out more about this great band and I am happy to say they have
agreed to talk to us at Sludgelord. So lets see what these mighty
followers of Lizzards and Wizzards have to say to us.
Q1 – Hi guys, How are things with you today. Thanks for doing this.
Hey dude, no thank you! It beats working.
Q2 – Can you give a brief history on how the band came about to where it is today.
I think the band started as an idea maybe 2 years ago after Nick and I saw Cough at Doomsday festival here in Australia in 2011. They blew us away, after that we started writing ideas and demos and probably a year later we asked our friends Stef and Luke to join on bass and Drums. That was it.
Q3 – How would you describe your overall sound. Stoner, Doom or, Sludge or a mixture of everything.
Yeah, Stoner Doom works pretty well to describe us.
Q4 – Now where the did the awesome name came from – Lizzard Wizzard. What inspired to call yourselves that.
I wish there was a cool story here, but like most things in this band I think it started as a joke then just stuck.
Q5 – Congrats on your new album. It's a great album you have recorded there. Are you happy with the final version that you have released or would you change some things.
Thanks dude! We are incredibly happy with how it turned out. Everyone in the band has little things we would like to change if we could go back, but in the grand scheme of things we are really proud of the album.
Q5 – Was it an easy or hard album to record for. And would you change anything about it.
It was too easy! We did all the instruments in 3 days and spent the last day laughing and doing vocals. For me, at least, it easily had the best recording “vibe” that I have been involved with. Mark Perry at Empire Studios did an excellent job, and if you're from Brisbane you should record with him.
Q6 – I take it from the album and certain song titles your influenced by Sci-Fi and Fantasy Genres. Well Game Of Cones and Twilight Of The Terminator seem to suggest that. Or am I looking to much into the song titles themselves and not the brilliant riffs they contain.
No, we are definitely huge nerds. Actually the song Twilight Of The Terminator came from a trip we all took to the planetarium in Brisbane. Right now the idea for the next album is the “battle album” and it’s just songs about our current D&D campaign.
Q7 – Who designed the excellent album cover as it's one of my favourite album covers of the year. That's what intrigued me about the album.
That would be one of our best friends Iain D. (DMQK.tumblr.com) He also did the “game of cones” shirt on our bandcamp page too. Ridiculously talented.
Q9 – Which bands and artists influenced you as musicians.
Besides the obvious like Sleep and Electric Wizard, we really like Conan, Bongripper, Weedeater, Melvins and a ton more that will definitely lose us doom metal cred.
Q10 – How big of a help has BandCamp and the Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal community been in getting your music across to fans.
BandCamp Rules. It was a no-brainer for us. We have used it in other bands and its damn near perfect for a band to do an online release.
Q11 – The album is receiving a lot of praise from fans and critics alike. Are you pleased with the responses so far.
Blown away, Lizzard Wizzard has always been jamming riffs we liked and writing lyrics that made us laugh. It’s crazy to us that dudes around the world are getting into it too.
Q12 – What is the songwriting process in the band? Is it a group collective or is just down to one individual
It’s a collective effort, everyone has a say on everything.
Q13 – Do you perform many gigs in your home-town or do you have to travel further away to perform live regularly.
So far we have only played 3 shows all in our home town Brisbane. Now after the release we're looking to play interstate next year. Overseas would be a dream.
Q14 – Are you all full time musicians or do you all have full time jobs
We all work part-time / full time. Labor of love baby.
Q15 – In 5 words or less describe the Lizzard Wizzard live experience.
Loud riffs , good vibes, laughs
Q16 – I am a big fan of the Aussie Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal Scene. Lots of great bands starting to make their mark. Adrift For Days, Aver, Dumbsaint, CLAGG, We Lost The Sea amongst many others. Is it hard to get your music across within the Aussie Music Scene. Do you have to rely on international audiences more or is it slowly starting to build up.
Australia has some fucked good doom bands hey? The “scene” is very supportive. Having people into your music from anywhere is cool but it’s the locals who make an effort to come and see you play, it’s definitely good here.
Q17 – What are your views of bands using websites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo to fund their new album releases. Some people and bands are for it. Some are not. Would you consider doing some thing like that yourselves.
I think it’s a cool way of doing things. I’ve pledged towards a few, I can see it’s not for all bands though. I think you have to be wary about giving stoner bands lots of money. Ha.
Q18 - What are the most and least rewarding aspects of participating with the band? Obviously, the reality of how expensive it is being in a band could be considered as a negative aspect.
Gear is really heavy!
Q19 - What pisses you off most in music. Or do you not let the bad things in music stop you from performing and writing songs
We try not to let anything harsh our mellow.
Q20 - If you could provide words to wisdom for people wanting to start a band – What would they be.
Just starting playing with people you like if it’s going to work out, it will.
Q21 – What is your ultimate dream or wish for the band.
Roadburn!
Q22 - Finally do you have anything to say to your fans.
Thank you so much to everyone who has listened to or downloaded the release.
Well guys, thanks for doing this. Best of luck with your new album. Hope to hear more from you guys in the next few years. And I hope you manage to play Roadburn one day.
If you haven't heard this awesome album yet. What you waiting for. Headover to BandCamp and download this now!!! - You won't be sorry.
Check The Band From Links Below
BandCamp
