Interviews: Lizzy

On this new occasion, we had the opportunity to interview the Doom Metal/Sludge Metal/Stoner Rock band Lizzy from the USA. Check out the interview and enjoy the band!

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name? Did you plan it or came out just like that?

We went through a few different names before we settled on Lizzy. We came up with the name Lizzy after joking around that Boris took their name from one of the heaviest Melvins songs, so we chose one of the least heavy Melvins songs. We like that the name matches our sound, but we also like that the name doesn’t match our sound at all.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Heavy music is the way. We’ve always played heavy music. Andrew went to college for Classical guitar and renaissance lute, but that translates well to heavy music. Heavy music heals the soul and gives hope to the soulless. Alex says that once he realized that the lords of doom possess his fingers every time he picks up his axe, he was hooked.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Taylor and Andrew met at a local open jam night. We were both wearing Melvins T-shirts, and it was “music at first sight.” We started the band the next day. Andrew and Alex met while attending Keene State College, where they both studied classical music performance.

4. Each band member's favourite band?

Taylor says, “My favorite band is always changing. A constant seems to be the Melvins. On a different day, it could be T. Rex, or even Cab Calloway.

Andrew says, “ I definitely don’t have a favorite band. I listen to so much music that it would feel disrespectful to choose. High on Fire is definitely up there; that's why I was so excited to start taking guitar lessons from Jeff Matz this year. On any given day, I could be listening to Paco de Lucia, Ornette Coleman, Melvins, Sleep, Traditional Polish folk music, John Cage, Sabbath, or even Experimental noise… all in the same car ride. However, Sabbath will always be in my heart no matter what. We have to pay our tributes to the Boss.”

Alex says, “My favorite band is Rage Against the Machine.”

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Andrew is the primary songwriter, but we all add input and our ide,as so at the end of the day, we all write equally. Andrews' lyrics are heavily influenced by drug addiction and spirituality. He was a homeless heroin, meth, and crack addict for almost 10 years before getting sober 11 years ago.

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last gig was in Gardner, Massachusetts, at a huge metal fest called “Serpents of the Sun.”

7. Where would you like to act?

We would love to tour Europe, especially in Poland, where our roots are.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

We will play with anyone, but it would be a dream come true to play on the same stage as Sleep or the Melvins.

9. Whom not?

There isn't anyone or any band in particular that we wouldn’t want to play with

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

Andrew says, “Stage fright is definitely a real thing! We all go through to some degree. What usually helps me (and I learned this while studying with twice Grammy-nominated guitarist Dr. Jose Manuel Lezcano) is to breathe. Picture the first measure or couple of measures of your first song and breathe with the downbeat.”

Taylor says, “Sometimes I get it before set, but it usually just goes away.”

Alex says, “I mostly just try to remind myself that I have done all the preparation, so there is nothing to worry about.”

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osborne, Sleep, Om, High on Fire, Melvins, Nirvana, KISS, Electric Wizard, Arvo Part, T. Rex, Soundgarden, there are many more!

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Weird is cool! There's nothing too weird! The first time we were asked for an autograph was pretty weird; we didn’t think that would ever happen.

13. What do you think of your fans?

We have the best fans in the world. They help us do what we love!

14. What do you think of our site?

You have a great site!

15. Something to add?

Stay tuned for our album that is in the works. We are so stoked to be working with Argonauta Records for our upcoming releases.