Lizards from Afar (mark I - 1990 to 1991) Gila Monster - Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Tambourine, Occasional Keyboards, Cowbell, Kazoo, Lyrics Chopper Newt - Rhythm Guitar, Occasional Lead Guitar, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Lyrics the Gecko - Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar Gator - Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals, Occasional Lead Vocals, Lyrics Sir Pent - Drums
Lizards from Afar (mark II - 1991 to 1992) Chopper Newt - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Occasional Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals, Lyrics the Gecko - Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Occasional Backing Vocals Gator - Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals, Occasional Lead Vocals, Lyrics Sir Pent - Drums, Occasional Backing Vocals, Even Less Occasional Lead Vocal, Lyrics
Lizards from Afar (mark III - 1992 to 1993) Komodo Dragon - Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals the Gecko - Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar Gator - Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals, Occasional Lead Vocals, Lyrics Sir Pent - Drums, Occasional Backing Vocals, Lyrics
Lizards from Afar (mark IV - 2008 to ????) Chopper Newt - Vocals, Rhythm & Lead Guitar, Bass Guitar, Lyrics the Gecko - Lead & Rhythm Guitar, Synth Sir Pent - Drums, Lyrics Gator - Lyrics
Additional Members Throughout The Years: Salvatore A-Train Mandyr - Saxophone, Occasional Backing Vocals the Leatherettes - Backing Vocals - 1991 Girls With the Vroom - Backing Vocals - 1992
Special Kudos: Jerald - Fearless Freep, Bass Guitar
Influences
Gila: Christian Pop Chopper: African Tribal Gecko: late 80's synth-pop Gator: Apalachian Blue Grass Sir Pent: Porno Soundtracks
LIZARDS FROM AFAR...THE RETURN (according to Sir Pent)
The rumors you have been hearing are true. The song you found leaked to the internet is real. The dream you have long dreamed of is now reality.
Last year some of the LFA got back in touch with eachother. It all seemed friendly at first...but then it turned into a double-fisted helping of TNT. Ya see, Chopper Newt had long since put his guitar in mothballs...but then he started playing around with remixing old LFA songs. This lead to discussions with Sir Pent, the Gecko and Gator about remixing a "greatest hits" package. Well, if we were going to do that, why not just re-record one song and give it a fresh face?
Re-recording one song turned into three. Re-recording three songs turned into "Why don't we record this NEW song we have an idea for?"
So, yes. There was brand new LFA music being recorded. Unscrupulous individuals stole the work in progress and leaked it to the internet. So in an effort to control our art, we have decided to throw aside the veil of secrets. Now available for you to listen to...our new songs from the reformed Lizards from Afar.
...and if you dig it, leave a message. Maybe we'll post even more...
LIZARDS FROM AFAR...THE HISTORY (according to Sir Pent)
Something started growing in Chopper's basement in late 1990...
4 guys from Illinois Wesleyan and 1 from Illinois State started a band. We rehearsed all of about 5 times when we decided it was time to do our first show.
The concert on the quad!
We were such a huge hit...ahem...we decided it was time to record an album.
We rehearsed a handful of additional times and BEGAN work on our cover version of Devil Went Down to Georgia. (As a heavy metal rap song...eat that Kid Rock!)
We went into the studio one spring Saturday in May 1991 and recorded 14 songs in 7 hours including Devil, a song we had never once played all the way through!! The result was an album called How Old is Your Sister?
Gila quit just to get married and be in Jesus Christ Superstar. (sing that to the tune of Summer of 69 by Brian Adams)
The remaining 4 carried on and, in Chopper's Parent's basement, recorded the follow-up so HOIYS, a fine collection of fun tunes called Kick The Habit.
The 4 remaining members did another concert on the quad, but this time at the Wesleyan band shell. it was recorded on video for posterity. Fun was had by all.
Chopper quit to go to California and work on Bell Biv Devoe's ill-fated second album.
And then there were three.
We searched far and wide...or right in the IWU theater department and found a new Lead Singer. We rehearsed a few times so, of course, it was time to record a third album. Recorded in Gecko/Gator's apartment mostly.
This was called Tantric Pathways.
We actually performed more in front of audiences in this third incarnation, but the album did not "catch fire". I guess people tended to remember us with Chopper Newt. So the final original 3 members of the Lizards called it quits when we graduated from our respective schools.
LIZARDS FROM AFAR...THE FREEP YEARS (according to Sir Pent)
After college Gila, Chopper and Sir Pent regrouped to form a new band called Fearless Freep. We recruited a new bass player named Jerald. We rehearsed a LOT more than we ever did as the Lizards. We finally played out at a frat house in central illinois referred to as the Boat House.
Spurred by the success of that show, we did our usual and began recording songs.
As recording started, this new musical force pretty much fell to pieces. Chopper and Jerald both had more important things to do. Members started dropping like flies and as often as Gila and Sir Pent would find a replacement, another would retire. So we ended with a whimper and not a bang. (Although I do think Gila banged me once...)
Have a great week Lizards from Afar, and keep your dreams alive! Tell your friends to add me, and stop by anytime.... Brian Michael www.myspace.com/eyesabovewater
For the first Nerve release of 2009, we're very proud to present the debut EP from Copenhagen's Jean Doe.
It's drum n bass tinged with detroit techno and deep house, from the glitchy beats of the title track to deep rolling vibes on "Nuance" and "Fibre" before fellow Copenhagen based producer Pyro joins him for the epic and uplifting "Ambitions in A Minor".
MEHO PLAZA NOPSE REMIX EP available on cassette from ick ick records...available on itunes from better looking records... vinyl is in the works too from sp1records...........
.:Click Here:. DarkCompass is a weekly Internet Music Show and Podcast, highlighting some of the best independent and unsigned music from around the world, with the odd news and comments of the week with Rowley. Established 2004
Check out Lizards From Afar on The Best Radio You Have Never Heard Crime Of The Century Vol. 106
~80 minute long free music download compilations which feature intriguingly mixed rock and rock-based music from a variety of artists that in other contexts might be considered incompatible. Genres, rhythms, moods and artists are seamlessly blended together to produce listening experiences you can only dream about finding in traditional radio. BRYHNH includes favorites and new discoveries from both familiar artists and those you wish you’d heard before, downloaded twice monthly free to your computer or iPod. Ranked #7 in The Digital Podcast Top 100 Podcasts for 2005 and the #2 Classic Rock Podcast from about. com
Click the links to download the show FREE from the web page or iTunes Music Store
.:Click Here:. DarkCompass is a weekly Internet Music Show and Podcast, highlighting some of the best independent and unsigned music from around the world, with the odd news and comments of the week with Rowley. Established 2004