Lionize

Last updated

Lionize
Lionize band.jpg
Lionize with Steve Nisbett of Steel Pulse
Background information
Origin Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S.
Genres Hard rock, stoner metal, reggae rock, [1] dub, funk metal, alternative metal
Years active2004–present
LabelsElectric Reckoning, Weathermaker, Indication, Hardline, Pentimento, Wheaton's Finest
MembersChris Brooks
Henry Upton
Nathan Bergman
Past membersChase Lapp
LaMel Randolph

Lionize is an American rock band based in Montgomery County, Maryland. The sound of the band is rooted in hard rock and heavy metal, but they frequently experiment with varying sounds, such as reggae, dub music, go-go, and funk. The band line-up consists of Chris Brooks (Hammond organ, Rhodes piano, piano, synthesizer, clav, lead and background vocals), Nathan Bergman (vocals, rhythm and lead guitar), and Henry Upton (bass and backing vocals).

Contents

Tim Sult of the fellow Maryland-based band Clutch appears on several albums as an additional guitar player. Other collaborators include Neil Fallon and Jean-Paul Gaster of Clutch; David Hinds, Selwyn Brown, and Sidney Mills of Steel Pulse; Dean Fraser, J. Robbins, Eric Oblander of Five Horse Johnson, and Larry McDonald. The band signed to Weathermaker Music, a label owned and operated by the band Clutch and Jack Flanagan, and released Jetpack Soundtrack. In 2015 the band released "Alpha" EP and in 2016 "The Voyage" EP independently. They began recording their next full length entitled "Nuclear Soul" in January 2017 at the Magpie Cage in Baltimore with producers J. Robbins & Jean-Paul Gaster. "Nuclear Soul" was released in September 2017 & the band spent the better part of the next 6 months touring UK/Europe.

History

2004–2006

The band met while in middle school and high school and officially became Lionize in the summer of 2004. They started gigging heavily around the Maryland, DC and Virginia areas at bars, local venues and house parties. On October 26, 2005, the band opened for Steel Pulse at The Recher Theatre in Towson, Maryland. That evening started a long-time friendship between both bands which eventually led to members of Steel Pulse bringing the band to Jamaica to record the album Space Pope and the Glass Machine at Harry J. Studios in 2008. By 2006 the band had supported Steel Pulse, The Wailers, Yellowman, Groundation, Israel Vibration, State Radio, Fuel, Hoobastank, Jimmie's Chicken Shack, The Pietasters, Concrete Blonde, and The Bakerton Group throughout the East Coast of the United States.

2007–2011

Lionize performing at the University of Maryland in 2007 Lionize (467158459).jpg
Lionize performing at the University of Maryland in 2007

In 2008, the band opened for H.R. and The Human Rights band, which culminated in the band opening for the Bad Brains in 2011 and 2012. The band began touring extensively throughout the United States and Canada supporting acts such as Authority Zero, Wino, Clutch, Ozomatli, Chali 2na, The Wailers and Steel Pulse. In January 2008, Steel Pulse musical director Sidney Mills invited the band to Harry J. Studios in Kingston, Jamaica, to make a reggae-infused album called Space Pope and the Glass Machine, which features a horn section directed by Dean Frasier and Sidney Mills. The album was recorded between Harry J. Studios, Boot Camp Studio (Digital Paul) and Portmore Studio 100 (Squidly Cole). The band was joined in Jamaica by Tim Sult on additional guitar. The album also features Eric Oblander on harmonica for the opening track "Space Pope" and Larry McDonald on percussion throughout.

The album was released on the Pietasters record label, Indication Records. In 2009–2010, the band was handpicked by Lee "Scratch" Perry to tour the United States as Perry's own backing band and support act. This led to group performing at several festivals, including Reggae on the Rocks at Red Rocks Amphitheater outside Denver, Colorado. These two years also included the band supporting Kylesa, Red Fang and the Saviors, Galactic, Sublime with Rome and CKY. In 2010, the band recorded and released the album Destruction Manual, which was recorded and produced by J. Robbins at Magpie Cage Studio in Baltimore, Maryland. It had a heavier sound than the previous album Space Pope. Destruction Manual features Tim Sult on guitar, J. Robbins on percussion and backing vocals, and Donnie Williams on percussion. In 2011 the band returned to the Magpie Cage to record the album Superczar and the Vulture with Robbins at the Magpie. This album continues to find the band experimenting with heavy riffs, dub and funk. Guest musicians include Tim Sult, Nadav Nirenberg and Jim Conti from Streetlight Manifesto The album was released on Tomas Kalnoky's "Pentimento" label. In the summer of 2011 the band was the only band to ever perform Bonnaroo Music Festival and the Vans Warped Tour in the same summer.

Discography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clutch (band)</span> American rock band

Clutch is an American rock band from Germantown, Maryland. Since its formation in 1991, the band lineup has included Tim Sult, Dan Maines (bass), Jean-Paul Gaster (drums), and Neil Fallon. To date, Clutch has released thirteen studio albums, and several rarities and live albums. Since 2008, the band has been signed to their own record label, Weathermaker Music.

<i>Pitchfork</i> (album) 1991 EP by Clutch

Pitchfork is the debut EP by American rock band Clutch, released on vinyl 7" & 12" in October 1991 only in the US.

<i>Passive Restraints</i> 1992 EP by Clutch

Passive Restraints is the second EP by American rock band Clutch, released in April 1992 via Earache Records. A reissue called Impetus was released in 1997 with extra songs.

<i>Clutch</i> (Clutch album) 1995 studio album by Clutch

Clutch is the second full-length album by American rock band Clutch. It was released in May 1995.

<i>Impetus</i> (album) 1997 EP by Clutch

Impetus is a reissue of the EP Passive Restraints by the band Clutch in 1997.

<i>Jam Room</i> 1999 studio album by Clutch

Jam Room is the fourth full-length album by the American rock band Clutch, released in 1999 on the band's own label River Road Records.

<i>Pure Rock Fury</i> 2001 studio album by Clutch

Pure Rock Fury is the fifth album by American rock band Clutch, released on March 13, 2001, and is the only album release with Atlantic Records. The album liner notes state that it is dedicated to Ronnie True.

<i>Robot Hive/Exodus</i> 2005 studio album by Clutch

Robot Hive / Exodus is the seventh full-length studio album by American rock band Clutch, released in 2005 on the DRT Entertainment label.

<i>Pitchfork & Lost Needles</i> 2005 compilation album by Clutch

Pitchfork & Lost Needles is a Clutch compilation album, released in 2005, of previous EPs by the band, with some demos and session outtakes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Sult</span> American guitarist

Richard Timothy Sult is an American musician best known as the guitarist for the rock band Clutch. He is also the guitarist for an instrumental side project, The Bakerton Group, and an occasional member of the reggae rock / stoner rock band Lionize, as well as the band Deep Swell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jean-Paul Gaster</span> American drummer

Jean-Paul Gaster is an American musician who is the drummer for the rock band Clutch.

The Bakerton Group is an instrumental blues jam band and the side project of the blues rock band Clutch. They incorporate elements of blues rock, psychedelic rock, and jazz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clutch discography</span> American rock band discography

The discography of Clutch, an American rock band, consists of thirteen studio albums, five live albums, three compilation albums, five extended plays, ten singles, and two video albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Company Band</span> American heavy metal band

The Company Band is an American heavy metal band. Formed in 2007, the band is a supergroup featuring vocalist Neil Fallon, guitarists James A. Rota and Dave Bone, bassist Brad Davis, and drummer Jess Margera. The group was formed by Margera, who enlisted the individual musicians. Initially featuring Jason Diamond of Puny Human on bass, the band released its debut extended play (EP) Sign Here, Here, and Here in 2008.

<i>Strange Cousins from the West</i> 2009 studio album by Clutch

Strange Cousins from the West is the ninth full-length studio album by the American rock band Clutch, released in the UK on July 13, 2009, and in the US on July 14.

Weathermaker Music is the record label owned by the American rock band Clutch and their manager Jack Flanagan. Weathermaker Music LLC was formed in June 2008. Weathermaker Music was mostly known to work with Clutch and their side project, the psychedelic jazz-rock alter ego The Bakerton Group.

<i>The Bakerton Group</i> (album) 2007 studio album by The Bakerton Group

The Bakerton Group is the debut full-length studio album by American instrumental rock band The Bakerton Group. It was released in 2007 and contains eight tracks with a running time of over half an hour. Mick Schauer, who first joined Clutch in 2005, was also enlisted to The Bakerton Group as organist. The album design and artwork was done by Eno Kalkin.

<i>El Rojo</i> 2009 studio album by The Bakerton Group

El Rojo is the second full-length studio album by The Bakerton Group, otherwise known as "the psychedelic instrumental jazz-laden alter ego" of Clutch. Released in 2009, the album marks the debut of keyboardist Per Wiberg, who replaced Mick Schauer.

<i>Live at the 9:30</i> 2010 video by Clutch

Live at the 9:30 is a live DVD by American rock band Clutch. Disc 1 is a concert DVD of the band performing their self-titled album in its entirety at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. Disc 2, Fortune Tellers Make a Killing Nowadays, is a road movie that takes you on the road with Clutch. "Ride along from city to city as one of the hardest working bands does what it does best. Hear from the band, crew, fans and other contemporaries along the way."

<i>Earth Rocker</i> 2013 studio album by Clutch

Earth Rocker is the tenth studio album by American rock band Clutch. It was released on March 15, 2013 by Weathermaker Music. Earth Rocker is the first studio album to be released by Clutch since Strange Cousins from the West in 2009. The album was produced by Machine, who also produced the band's 2004 album Blast Tyrant.

References

  1. Gomez, Adrian (January 27, 2012). "When inspiration hits, Lionize takes advantage". Albuquerque Journal . Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  2. Schreurs, Jason (December 6, 2011). "Lionize - Superczar And The Vulture". Alternative Press. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  3. Pelone, Joe (January 10, 2012). "Superczar and the Vulture". Punknews.org. Retrieved January 11, 2015.