Something wicked
this way comes ... and it ROCKS!
Wicked Lizzard is a Fayetteville-based band that doesn't
want to take the same road as many local groups, seeking that big record
contract and MTV video in heavy rotation — it's a group of four musicians who
simply want to play a wide range of rock 'n' roll cover songs that appeals to
an eclectic range of ages and genres.
Most importantly,
they're all about bringing the fun back to the local music scene — for
themselves and their fans.
"We’re a
high-energy, hard-driving rock band," said Jay Lambert, Lizzard's lead
singer. "We're not really original — some bands are more original, some
bands are just slamming metal and you can’t understand them. We’ve got a nice
mix. We get a good age mix. You look over here and you got a 23-year-old and
you look over here and you’ve got a a guy who’s 45.
"We also play
a wide variety of songs," said Jay. "If you don’t like the song we’re
playing, wait until the next one because odds are we’re going to play something
you like. We’re learning new stuff too, so we’re not just stuck in one
genre."
When Lambert says
Wicked Lizzard plays a wide variety of
tunes, he ain't just whistlin' "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down;"
the Lizzard has more than 50 songs on its set list, ranging from old school
rock such as Kiss, AC/DC and Traffic, to new blood like Radiohead, Alice in Chains
and 3 Doors Down.{mosimage}
All the musicians
have more than 20 years experience playing in bands, including bassist Jamie
Gardner, who started out playing in a jazz band in high school, and then played
with a country rock outfit for 12 years. However, like each of his band mates,
he feels he's truly struck gold with Wicked Lizzard.
"This is by
far the best band I've ever played in," said Gardner. "There are no
egos or issues here — everyone has an equal say in what we do and what we
play."
Wicked Lizzard
plays out about three times a month and is looking to expand on that number.
The band's favorite local spots to play include FuBar, Louie's Sports Pub and
The Dog House.
Having a little age
on the band members has caused some surprise to club owners and fans when the
Lizzard hits the stage and begins rocking like guys half their age.
"The guy at
FuBar’s had never seen us, but we got in there and just exploded and he really
wants us back," said Lambert. "That’s not bragging, we’re just
psyched about that. They thought we were just going to get up there and start
doing Johnny Rivers tunes; we bring it a little harder than that. We want to
give the people their money’s worth.
Guitarist Roger
Biggerstaff — Sgt. First Class Biggerstaff of the United States Army, that is —
is the one most responsible for making sure the songs are just right before the
band hits the stage.
"We try to
come as close to the sound of the song as we can," said Lambert.
"Roger is the leader of that. He’ll say we’re not going to do that song until
we practice, practice, practice and get it right. We screw some songs up on
stage sometimes like every band, but we’re shooting for perfection."
And keeping it all
nailed down and sounding good is drummer David Morris, who is also responsible
for shaping the band's sound.
"He breaks his
neck getting the PA set up," said Lambert. "He makes it all sound
pretty; we just show up and go."
Expect an
old-fashioned show complete with smoke and mirrors when you go see Wicked
Lizzard. What some bands call "kitsch," the Lizzard sees as putting
on a show. A lifelong member of the Kiss Army, Lambert believes every show
needs some of that old "I Want To Rock and Roll All Night" sizzle.
"I won’t
compare us to them (Kiss), but the way they do a show, we do it on a local
scale what they do on a big scale — smoke, lights," said Lambert. "A
lot of bands don’t like to do that but we like to blow it up. Image is fun. We
don’t do it because we’re saying we’re gods or anything, we just love doing it.
Put the smoke machine on top of me — I eat it for breakfast."
And if you get a
chance to see this group of vintage rockers at a club near you, they guarantee
you'll eat it up, too.
"I was a hired
hand for a few years, playing with whoever wanted me," said Gardner.
"This is what I prefer — you walk into a bar and drop a quarter in a
jukebox and hear what you want to — that’s what I want to play ... and we've
found that's what the people want to hear."
You can catch
Wicked Lizzard live on the following
dates: July 20 at the Dog House; July 26 at Big Harry's Tavern; Aug, 14 at the
Dog House; Sept. 5 at FuBar; Oct. 4 at FuBar.
Tim Wilkins, Associate Editor
COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 105 or
tim@upandcomingweekly.com