Having spent the last few years exploring the wide and diverse range of sound the garage-rock scene has to offer, London-based outfit Disco Lizards now return with their sixth single to date, 'Ride Ride Ride'.
Lifted from their highly anticipated debut album, 'Ride Ride Ride' looks to make a bright and energetic introduction to the band's work to date. Filled with big riffs, a fast pace, and nods to the 60s rock n roll era, their newest delight makes for the perfect guitar-rock anthem designed to break you out of your lockdown slumber.
So with the new track working its magic across the scene right now, we sat down with them to find out more about their background and what has been the biggest influence behind their direction so far.
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What were the first instruments you fell in love with?
Matt – The recorder was my first instrument that I was given access to at school. I don’t think I fell in love with it though. I do have a love affair with Fender guitars though and you never forget your first right. A red Japanese Fender telecaster.
Ollie – One that I bought and owned – Fender Strat (soon to be overtaken by my new Gibson Les Paul). Slash’s Gibson used on Appetite for Destruction. Killer top!
Mike – Funnily enough guitar instead of drums!
What has been the most prominent inspiration behind your music so far?
Matt – My thought process behind the first record was to create this 60s inspired garage indie rock vibe. The Beatles have always been a significant inspiration in my life but after a trip to Liverpool for the first time I just knew I needed to do something properly inspired by them. The second record however is going to be a very different thing altogether.
What kind of music did you love as teenagers?
Matt – Such a mix. I was lucky to have parents who had such great music taste which I definitely benefited from. I remember listening to my Mums Queen, The Police, Madness and Abba CDs and other big 70s/80s bands. I was also into some rap music like Dr Dre, Mobb Deep and Eminem but I was a huge indie kid.
Ollie – Classic rock and 80s rock! Pretty exclusive to that!
Mike – All the noughties pop punk.
Can you remember the first song that made you want to pursue a life in music?
Ollie – ‘Whole Lotta Love’ by Led Zep.
Mike – ‘Basket Case’ by Green Day.
Matt - ‘We Can Work It Out’ by The Beatles.
When you wake up in the morning, what kind of music do you like to listen to?
Matt – Soul and disco all day long. Bill Withers’ Lovely Day is my go to song to cheer me up on those tough mornings.
Ollie – Spotify usually picks it for me but Led Zep, The Stones, Alice Cooper and Motley Crue.
Mike – ‘The Sound of Silence’.
How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?
Matt – All of my songs are about people and life experiences. On our debut record there is a real mix of people who the songs are about, however Magic Pill for example has one line that is about a guy I used to know called Tom who was known to be a bit weird. So it can be that I make one line references or the whole song is about a person. In contrast, our second record that I’ve just finished writing is all about the same one person.
What have been the most memorable moments in your career so far?
Matt – I think playing the Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg supporting Catfish & The Bottlemen with my old band Editselect is definitely up there.
Ollie – Winning Best Individual Performer at my schools Battle of the Bands. I was a shy kid, so it was a big deal!
Mike – Working with Brian Eno. He released an album with Karl Hyde from Underworld and I provided monitoring for their performance on Later with Jools Holland.
Outside of music, what are your biggest passions?
Matt – Arsenal FC, holidays, spending time with family and friends. My vinyl collection!
Ollie – Food. I work in food photography and seeing the Chef’s side of the restaurant makes you appreciate the food world more.
Mike – Audio engineering for sure.
If you weren’t musicians, what other path do you think you might have taken?
Matt – Sadly music isn’t my only path and I also work in facilities management, so I guess that’s my other path. At one point I nearly went down the football coaching route.
And what advice would you give to those looking to start a career in music?
Matt - Look for like minded people you can trust to work with, stay true to yourself, write honestly, perform with pride and have fun doing it!
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Disco Lizards' new single 'Ride Ride Ride' is available to stream and download now. Have a listen to it in the player below.