Bringing Old School Rock to the New School

My dad used to be in a band in high school (and thus why I expect that every gentleman should be), and he said his band loved playing songs by The Doors because they featured church instrument the organ in their songs, and my dad’s band had a really good organ player. It looks like I’ll have to ask my dad to get the old gang together because here comes Lionize.

The Maryland-based band plays music that make you feel like you’re in a bit of a time warp: their sound is “old school,” playing a rock sound that was prevalent in the late 1960s and 1970s. The music has been brought into today with a modern feel. Oh yeah, and they’ve brought reggae back. What I’m trying to say is I
dig this band and its LP, Superczar and the Vulture.

Songs are usually driven by the organ or keyboard, played by Chris Brooks, but every instrument is represented and given its say. Nathan Bergman’s guitar is heavy and fuzzy, and his vocals bring you back in time. His voice is both raw and sweet at the right moments. Vocals are backed up well by Henry Upton, who
provides the harmonies, and songs are held in place by his bass playing and Lamel Randolph’s drums.

Songs are all hard-rocking and often psychedelic. “Black Cat” and “The Ballad of Ronnie Buttons” are heavy on the reggae. The band has recorded in Kingston, Jamaica with one of its influences, Sidney Mills of Steel Pulse, so its love of the genre is evident. Other songs are just about the rock: “Dr. Livingston” kicks the album off with a bang, and “Shameless Self Promoter” is fun to sing along with. And then there’s “Vessel,” which starts off with a good old-fashioned drum solo. Yeah.

The band made a splash at last year’s Warped Tour and looks to continue its trend of old-school rock for a new generation. I’m ready for it.