NetWavz Turning Point- Lions Roar, Rock And Roll Reigns
Before I saw them for the first time, I did my research. Any good journalist always seeks as much background information as possible before proceeding to conduct an interview, unless the objective is to just ask random, meaningless questions. I wanted to be informed, and the more I dug, the more impressive it got.
After reading reviews from states spread across the nation, I got the feeling I should know the name Lions. They’d been praised as “riff-heavy,” “raw” and “unaffected,” had a song by the name of “Metal Heavy Lady” included on Guitar Hero III, and had won the 2008 Doobie Award by High Times Magazine at SXSW in Austin, TX for Best New Local Artist.
Ironically, they don’t smoke that much pot. “There was a lot of complaints going on from bands that only talk about smoking weed,” frontman Matt D says in an interview with me at the Dead Horse in San Angelo, TX. “We’re more diversified; we talk about sex, pills and weed,” drummer Jake says with a laugh.
But diversity marks more than their lyrics. Austin, TX may be known as the Live Music Capitol of the World, but that music generally has an “Austin-sound;” falls within a wide yet distinctive range of genres and spin-offs that still bear the city’s stamp. Oftentimes, these leanings tend to be a little less raw rock and roll. Lions is among a tribe of artists emerging in an underground rock scene that’s defying the commercialism of modern rock, along with bands like New Disaster, the High Watt Crucifixers and others hailing from the same and other regions.
They’ve been likened to Rage Against The Machine, and as much as I hate to make the comparison, reserve it for the vocals, which hold a little higher range but are similar in style. As for the music, it’s all its own. Guitar laden, melodic and volatile; Lions bring everything from headbanger’s bliss to deep-felt dancing.
Demonstrating rock and roll prowess with instrumental breaks to accentuate each player, Lions take command of the stage like reign of a kingdom. Attending a live performance makes it easy to see why Puddle of Mudd’s drum tech sees fit to sport a Lions T-shirt; it’s not one you wear just because you got it for free.
But riff-heavy and pure rock gives way to a modern psychedelic/rock fusion that takes everything new in a different direction and isn’t thankless of the drug-induced jams by bands who pioneered the psychedelic tag. Employing a purposeful use of feedback so substantial it’s as if it comes from the hands of some unseen fifth instrumentalist, Lions weave a maze through their performance, welcoming the crowd to join them as animals on the prowl.
“They’re an amazing band—they play well, they are very talented,” Amanda LeVario said at the Dead Horse in San Angelo, TX after seeing the band for the first time. “The way they bring their presence to the stage is phenomenal. They have an aura and a presence that makes them very good entertainers. I am completely stoked, enamored and amazed. Wow!”
With two discs out including 2006’s “Volume One” EP and 2007’s “No Generation,” plus a touring schedule that virtually hasn’t ceased since the wheels started rolling in 2005, Lions are set to establish themselves as kings of an evolving rock scene. Check them out this summer as they embark on an east coast tour with the Toadies, and visit their myspace at myspace.com/lionstheband or visit the band’s official website at lionstheband.com.
