King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
“Le Risqué”
Australian psych-rock pilots King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard just dropped a bomb of a first single from their upcoming record “Flight b741”. The new single “Le Risque” is a fun straight forward boogie number that features lead vocals from four of the KGLW members across the various sections of the song. “Le Risque” starts out with a not so risky pulse, featuring a simple one note bass line, but winds up into an exciting anthem about taking your life for a risky ride.
Guitarist/singer Joey Walker starts off with a driving verse, pushing lyrics to a risky life worth living, “cause death to me, is a life lived safely”. His vocals come across like calm and collected rock and roll pilot ready to dive-bomb his way through the clouds. This is followed by a vocal debut from drummer Mickey “Cavs” Cavanaugh, who comes across like a ZZ Top impersonator, think “Le Grange” sub text for “Le Risque”. With some colorful lyrics and callbacks from the crew, this part is perfect for a local motorcycle gang’s anthem, complete with the quintessential call “OK LET’S RIDE”.
Out of nowhere Ambrose Kenny (essentially the bands’ harmonica player, keyboardist, and hype man) comes in with a shrieking entrance “HELLO EVIL KNEVIEL, RUNNING THROUGH THE RED LIGHT”, which to me is a shining moment of this road-ready rock song. After Amby’s high energy transition, King Gizz himself Stu Mackenzie brings the mood down a notch for an introspective refrain “I rest not, I care not, I just go”, sending the entire band into a full stop chorus with a gung-ho mantra, “ONE LIFE, ONE CHANCE, CLENCH THE MOMENT IN YOUR HANDS”. This big ‘carpe diem’ moment seizes the day and the listener’s ears as they bring the final line “Adrenaline, my dearest friend, it’s you and me until the end”.
As a long time fan of King Gizzard, this song brings me back to their boogie-laden album “Fishing for Fishies” and really delivers that searing bluesy rock vibe while keeping a cool undercarriage. I give this track a solid 8.5/10 and can’t wait to hear the rest of this record. Make sure to check out their US tour this summer for a mind melting experience! — Nate Sacks
Jake Lionette
“Don’t Stay”
Have you ever wondered where the local pop-punk scene is these days? Well look no further than Jake Lionetti’s newest release, “Don’t Stay”. Lionetti originally wrote the song for his former band Junk Mail, but things happen in the world of bands and babes, so here it is as a 2024 solo release.
Right out of the gate I’m transported back to the days I traded under-the-radar pop-punk mix CD’s with my pals on the school bus. The trashy guitar tones and punk drumming is spot-on, and the vocals come out just angsty enough. Think pre-“Dookie” Green Day meets the somewhat more modern surf-punk sounds of Wavves and FIDLAR. I can see myself listening to this on a trip to the beach to get myself stoked to catch some rays.
The production isn’t glammed up, it’s exactly where it should be for the genre. Somewhat snotty and saturated vocals take the lead against the push of the aggressive bandscape. Lyrically it has the teenage angst of MxPx with the cynicism of NoFx, using the phrase “don’t stay” against the grain of the countless songs that beg someone to “stay”. This song does not beg for your attention, it simply takes it, and is a quick glimpse of pop-punk fun. The guitar breaks even have those little secret major chords that turns your ear up (if you know, you know).
Overall I had fun listening to this one, and I hope I get to see Jake on a tour or showcase with some nostalgic punk groups to get this out to the right people. You should take a listen for yourself. When there’s music out there to hear, put it in your ears, thanks for reading. – Nate Sacks
Rob Oliver
“ In the Dirt”
Hampton Road’s local harp-player and performer Rob Oliver released a fresh track in June 2024 entitled “In the Dirt”. Recorded in his home studio, affectionately named “Greenwall Studios” after a green wall within it I presume, the song opens up with a homegrown down and dirty hit, filled with some tremolo laden guitar, bending harp, and down home acoustic strums. Rob comes in singing clearly about past struggles with drinking, giving us a glimpse into the vulnerability one can have dealing with the allure of the bottle.
When the vocal comes in I’m getting a bluesy version of 90’s alt bands like Dada, or even a lighter fare Collective Soul, but keeping a straight up blues posture. The drums are played by Kyle McCormick who is also known for playing with local heavyweight rockin’ bluesman Anthony Rosano. Kyle’s drumming serves the song with a nice and easy rumble and some great big swells and crashes, not to mention some tambourine peppered in there as well. Everything else was recorded by Rob, and it sounds great, I happen to think his harmonica tone is one of the best in the area and he has a knack at putting the right layers into his songs. The guitar solo after the chorus sounds as if it’s coming through a cracked glass bottle, enhancing the fragile underlying theme of the song.
Rob’s songwriting comes across very poignant and polished, but also gives the listener a down home, singing by the window feel. If I was going to critique anything I think the vocal production could be less polished to add to his song’s “dirty” allure, but “In the Dirt” is a great example of what Rob Oliver is doing. You should take a listen for yourself. When there’s music out there to hear, put it in your ears, thanks for reading. — Nate Sacks
