Niro, Flash, & Alice - King Lizard
Glam has a new kid on the block and that status belongs to King Lizard. Some sectors of rock have stagnated and King Lizard is here to fix that with their highly energized debut, Viva La Decadence. The band recently took the time to give you the new King Lizard fan a look into what made them happen and why Viva La Decadence so damn good.
An Interview with King Lizard.
By Jeffrey Easton
Metal Exiles: The true formation of King Lizard was long in the making from start to the debut. Why do you feel it took this long to get a full record out?
Niro: Well, you want to get the right vibe, the right sound and most important is the right feeling. Money is always an issue of course and we didn’t want to compromise. But as many other things you could say that a good thing came out of it taking a long time. If I recall correct when we started the album the song VIVA was not yet conceived… Think about it… What would Back in Black be without Back in Black?
Flash: Also I think if the album was done before, way back, it wouldn't have been what it is now, it would be totally different. Everything happens for a reason and the album coming out now is the right time as far as I'm concerned. The musical climate is right, you know? Rock IS back. You've only gotta look at festival line-ups with Def Lepard and Motley Crue in 2010 and even films and computer games, everything's got AC/DC, Aerosmith, Guns, Ratt or Crue on it right now. It's a good time.
Metal Exiles: The band’s original idea came from the singer, Flash Roxx, during the era of Nu Metal. Was this his salvation from such terrible music?
Flash: Yeah although I don't think all Nu Metal is terrible, it lacks that element that makes you clench your fist and shout "Fuck Yeah!" and it's more about just smashing into one another. But yeah, everything was so depressing and sounded the same and nobody ever seemed to play a guitar solo! Why not?!? I was with my first band getting put on with Pop Punk bands and Nu Metal bands and people thought it was a joke and it was certainly 'not cool' to be into the kind of music we were doing. It was weird watching people trying to mosh to us! A lot of people said I should change and go more commercial but I'm glad I stuck with it and King Lizard survived and became what it is today because now…it's cool!
Metal Exiles: Your sound encompasses the sound of the 80’s with a modern sounding punch in the mix. How did you pull off a vintage metal sound without sounding dated?
Flash: I think it's because we never TRIED to be anyone else or just an '80's style rock band' we just played what we enjoyed and what moved us. Obviously our biggest influences are from the 80's but there's also influences from the 90's and now. I think what it is, a lot of bands that love the classic rock and glam metal scene of back then just try and imitate it too much by just doing the same thing. There's no formula or set uniform. I think you have to be inspired and then evolve into your own kind of animal. We always wanted to do a modern take on it and I think we succeeded even if one label said our sound was 'dated' hopefully we're proving them wrong!
Alice: Just get the heaviest instrument your money can buy and beat the hell out of it! LOL We obviously grew up with 80’s bands and when you start playing you get inspired by your “heroes” and the kind of music you listen when you are a kid. As you grow up, age wise and musically, you get influenced by other styles and you start developing your own of course. That’s what King Lizard is: a weird mix of Punk, Metal and Hard Rock. We just have managed to put all those styles together and give the all thing a direction and … Ta daaaa ! The Beast Was Born!
Metal Exiles: You, Niro Knox, are originally from Israel. Where did you find inspiration to play guitar in a region where most would think the influence might not be there?
Niro: I guess it like any other small places. Israel has a Massive metal scene and Musicianship is not something to take lightly over there. You can’t join a band or play live if you are not Awesome. It’s not like in London when you have 5 gigs every day to go to (used to anyway) and anyone can go and play. Even the punk bands can play… (-; So I guess I always knew I wanted to do something special and luckily Guns N’ Roses covered Knockin’ On Heaven’s Doors which was playing on the radio in 1992.. I was 12.. and when I heard the Solo – It was a sealed deal. I remember waiting for them to pop on MTV… seeing Slash for the first time I just thought THIS GUY IS SOOOOO COOOLLL!
Metal Exiles: On that same thought, the band is pretty much a diverse group of people from different parts of the world. How do you make it work as a solid band?
Alice: The fact itself that we all are from different countries and still we all want the same thing really keeps us together. Think for example about Niro and I: we are thousands of miles away from home just to realize our dream. That determination, we ALL share, it’s the most powerful “glue” in the world. We wanna make it and we will, it’s not a matter of IF, it’s just a matter of WHEN…
Flash: Yeah it's all about commitment and dedication, soooo many people say they wanna do it then let you down. Finding a good band with committed members is tough in this town.
Metal Exiles: In such a tense world, you guys have gone the “have fun, life is a party route” with your songs on Viva. Do you think the world should just follow the advice of the title song?
Flash: A lot of the album may sound 'fun' but most of the tracks are a lot deeper than just a party song. Of course we all love a good night out but a lot of those songs were inspired by anger, betrayal, love and even hate. And above all they are all based on true stories or feelings. It's all 'real'. I always wanted us to be a band that was fun to listen to, fun to watch live and sing along to, but as well as that, there's a lot of emotions being expressed in there that people can relate to in those songs. That's the kind of band that I get passionate about so that's what I wanted to get across with our own songs as well as having a night on the tiles.
Alice: Well it’s not that. On this album we just wanted to talk about US, about the vibe surrounding the band during those years we were working on it, about the London Rock scene, about the girls the glitters and the debauchery. That’s a bit like “Appetite For Destruction”, you don’t find “Civil War” in that album, you know what I mean? The only song with a more serious “topic” on the album is Riot, which is about society and the way it has treated us (especially me), but then again, it’s all about us and the band. I don’t think though that the world should go Partying in a kind of “Brainless mood”. I’m personally really concerned about what’s going on in the world now days: Middle Eastern Crisis and Peak Oil, Zero Point Energy on the other side (something we’ll never see I’m afraid ) or Project Blue Beam and H.A.A.R.P. (really don’t like those guys playing God ). Maybe on the next album there’s gonna be more space for these topics. I really like what Blackie Lawless did on the last WASP album, he changed mood, from songs like Blind In Texas of quiet few years ago, to songs like Heaven Hangs In Black. He’s more concerned about what’s going on the world and especially the USA, I really like it… maybe because we are all just getting older ?
Metal Exiles: What went into making your first full length as far as the songs? As mentioned, it’s a fun record, how did you avoid any stereotypes in your music?
Niro: We are a good band. When you are good, if you try to do something you succeed and people notice that. So I guess we just didn’t try to look like anyone. We just wanted to get these songs done they way we felt like”
Flash: “Yeah and I'm not sure if we avoided ALL the stereotypes but when we are a bit cliche we know that we're doing it and we embrace it. It's like in the track Viva La Decadence, "It's so predictable, it's unoriginal but we do it all!" "We know it's all been said before but we love it till we're lying on the floor". We're self aware! I think it's ok to be a little bit of a stereotype as long as you're not just a boring clone of someone else only you're not doing it justice. I suppose that's how we've avoided it by doing things our own way and not being afraid to be blatant and up front without forcing anything. As far as songs? Every one of those tracks was personal and important to all of us and it was essential they made the album. It was really difficult to chose which tracks to use, there were 16 in total. A lot of thought went into it, you know, fan favorites, our favorites and the tracks that fit best together. Even the tracks that didn't make it were important but either through the recording not being quite right or it's style not suitable for this album. They'll be re-recorded or released at some point I'm sure
Metal Exiles: The original CD cover for Viva La Decadence featured a snake and an ample set of boobs. Was this a selling point or just what you like to see?
Alice: I remember one day saying to Flash (or it was the other way around ?) That I would have liked to have a lizard tail between a pair of boobs on the cover of the album, we just looked at each other and laughed … we had the same thought .
Flash: Yeah it was the other way round! Ahaha I dunno we were drinking at the time. I remember thinking the guys might laugh at me when I suggest this but obviously Alice had the same idea. Originally I was struggling with a good idea for the cover and I wanted something to get people talking but at the same time summed up the tit…le of the album, 'Viva La Decadence' and what more than naked breasts on the cover? Well it worked anyway! It was gonna be a real Lizard nestled in between them but that proved impractical…that was a fun photo shoot! Oh and by the way it's meant to be the tail of The King Lizard, not a snake…but yeah it looks like a snake!
Niro: Research has shown that starring at boobs for 10 minutes a day is healthy for your blood pressure. Works for chicks too (-;
Metal Exiles: The great Chris Tsangarides produced your record. How did you land him and what of his past turned you on enough to want him?
Niro: Actually it was my idea. First of all he has a very good name for himself and second of all he worked with an Israeli band that was pretty famous when I was growing up – Stella Maris. They are a 70’s Metal/Rock band and from the same region when I lived in. They always worked in the local guitar shops and I used to hang out there and listen to their stories about recording with the guy.
Flash: Well there were two producers, Chris as well as Andy Brooke who is an absolute legend in the making. Chris was great because he'd worked with a lot of the legends and he treated us with the same respect even though we were obviously a smaller act. He had his own little ways of recording things and placing the mics etc, was a cool experience. Andy Brooke is definitely a name to look out for on album credits. We'd worked with him on our demos and it was like having a fifth member of the band. He was very passionate about it and it was just as important to him as it was to us that it came out as good as it did. I remember he said to me, "I wanna do this because I believe in it" Which I felt was cool.
Alice: Working with Chris was really good, I remember writing the bass line of Not For Me on the spot, he could really make you feel comfortable in studio.
Metal Exiles: What do you think of the current music scene. What is in your CD player as we speak?
Flash: I don't know what I think of the current music scene, I know that I'm bored of what's on my ipod. There are a lot of good bands out there and I like My Chemical Romance's new stuff and the last Motley Crue album, even Chinese Democracy, despite all the press, it's a good album. I like Wolfmother, Slash's album was incredible. Anything that's good no matter what the style is. In my CD player is currently RATT's new album. Niro's trying to get me into them for years so I'm giving em a go.
Alice: Marilyn Manson, KMFDM, Tool … I’m a bit the “Dark Side” of the band.
Niro: Alice Cooper, AC/DC, Cavalar, Megadeth, Pantera.
Metal Exiles: You are a fantastic guitar player with a huge sound. What did you use to record the album as far as equipment is concerned?
Niro: I used my dick. Just kidding, seriously I believe in a strong raw sound where you can feel the person’s hands on the guitar. I hate processors and effects and I always tell the boys I don’t wanna sound like a spaceship. I used my 1957 Gibson Les Paul Gold Top and a Marshall JCM2000. Settings wise – I guess the secret is to turn it up to 11. One last thing is you have to realize it’s not the same to play like that- you have to get used to it. I think the hardest part was finding the right parts for each guitar as its very different than playing in rehearsal. After that I kind of merge it all when we play it live.
Metal Exiles: Now that the record is out, what are the touring and promo plans for King Lizard?
Flash: We're gonna play everywhere people wanna hear us, we're currently after doing some good support slots. We did Crashdiet, Danny Vaughn from Tyketto and Tiger Tailz recently which was cool. We also wanna take it over seas, Scandinavia loves rock n' roll! We wanna try do some festivals this summer too.
Alice: I want to be the first band to have a Galaxy Tour!
Glam is alive and well and its going to be King Lizard to take it to the next level.
An Interview with King Lizard.
By Jeffrey Easton
Metal Exiles: The true formation of King Lizard was long in the making from start to the debut. Why do you feel it took this long to get a full record out?
Niro: Well, you want to get the right vibe, the right sound and most important is the right feeling. Money is always an issue of course and we didn’t want to compromise. But as many other things you could say that a good thing came out of it taking a long time. If I recall correct when we started the album the song VIVA was not yet conceived… Think about it… What would Back in Black be without Back in Black?
Flash: Also I think if the album was done before, way back, it wouldn't have been what it is now, it would be totally different. Everything happens for a reason and the album coming out now is the right time as far as I'm concerned. The musical climate is right, you know? Rock IS back. You've only gotta look at festival line-ups with Def Lepard and Motley Crue in 2010 and even films and computer games, everything's got AC/DC, Aerosmith, Guns, Ratt or Crue on it right now. It's a good time.
Metal Exiles: The band’s original idea came from the singer, Flash Roxx, during the era of Nu Metal. Was this his salvation from such terrible music?
Flash: Yeah although I don't think all Nu Metal is terrible, it lacks that element that makes you clench your fist and shout "Fuck Yeah!" and it's more about just smashing into one another. But yeah, everything was so depressing and sounded the same and nobody ever seemed to play a guitar solo! Why not?!? I was with my first band getting put on with Pop Punk bands and Nu Metal bands and people thought it was a joke and it was certainly 'not cool' to be into the kind of music we were doing. It was weird watching people trying to mosh to us! A lot of people said I should change and go more commercial but I'm glad I stuck with it and King Lizard survived and became what it is today because now…it's cool!
Metal Exiles: Your sound encompasses the sound of the 80’s with a modern sounding punch in the mix. How did you pull off a vintage metal sound without sounding dated?
Flash: I think it's because we never TRIED to be anyone else or just an '80's style rock band' we just played what we enjoyed and what moved us. Obviously our biggest influences are from the 80's but there's also influences from the 90's and now. I think what it is, a lot of bands that love the classic rock and glam metal scene of back then just try and imitate it too much by just doing the same thing. There's no formula or set uniform. I think you have to be inspired and then evolve into your own kind of animal. We always wanted to do a modern take on it and I think we succeeded even if one label said our sound was 'dated' hopefully we're proving them wrong!
Alice: Just get the heaviest instrument your money can buy and beat the hell out of it! LOL We obviously grew up with 80’s bands and when you start playing you get inspired by your “heroes” and the kind of music you listen when you are a kid. As you grow up, age wise and musically, you get influenced by other styles and you start developing your own of course. That’s what King Lizard is: a weird mix of Punk, Metal and Hard Rock. We just have managed to put all those styles together and give the all thing a direction and … Ta daaaa ! The Beast Was Born!
Metal Exiles: You, Niro Knox, are originally from Israel. Where did you find inspiration to play guitar in a region where most would think the influence might not be there?
Niro: I guess it like any other small places. Israel has a Massive metal scene and Musicianship is not something to take lightly over there. You can’t join a band or play live if you are not Awesome. It’s not like in London when you have 5 gigs every day to go to (used to anyway) and anyone can go and play. Even the punk bands can play… (-; So I guess I always knew I wanted to do something special and luckily Guns N’ Roses covered Knockin’ On Heaven’s Doors which was playing on the radio in 1992.. I was 12.. and when I heard the Solo – It was a sealed deal. I remember waiting for them to pop on MTV… seeing Slash for the first time I just thought THIS GUY IS SOOOOO COOOLLL!
Metal Exiles: On that same thought, the band is pretty much a diverse group of people from different parts of the world. How do you make it work as a solid band?
Alice: The fact itself that we all are from different countries and still we all want the same thing really keeps us together. Think for example about Niro and I: we are thousands of miles away from home just to realize our dream. That determination, we ALL share, it’s the most powerful “glue” in the world. We wanna make it and we will, it’s not a matter of IF, it’s just a matter of WHEN…
Flash: Yeah it's all about commitment and dedication, soooo many people say they wanna do it then let you down. Finding a good band with committed members is tough in this town.
Metal Exiles: In such a tense world, you guys have gone the “have fun, life is a party route” with your songs on Viva. Do you think the world should just follow the advice of the title song?
Flash: A lot of the album may sound 'fun' but most of the tracks are a lot deeper than just a party song. Of course we all love a good night out but a lot of those songs were inspired by anger, betrayal, love and even hate. And above all they are all based on true stories or feelings. It's all 'real'. I always wanted us to be a band that was fun to listen to, fun to watch live and sing along to, but as well as that, there's a lot of emotions being expressed in there that people can relate to in those songs. That's the kind of band that I get passionate about so that's what I wanted to get across with our own songs as well as having a night on the tiles.
Alice: Well it’s not that. On this album we just wanted to talk about US, about the vibe surrounding the band during those years we were working on it, about the London Rock scene, about the girls the glitters and the debauchery. That’s a bit like “Appetite For Destruction”, you don’t find “Civil War” in that album, you know what I mean? The only song with a more serious “topic” on the album is Riot, which is about society and the way it has treated us (especially me), but then again, it’s all about us and the band. I don’t think though that the world should go Partying in a kind of “Brainless mood”. I’m personally really concerned about what’s going on in the world now days: Middle Eastern Crisis and Peak Oil, Zero Point Energy on the other side (something we’ll never see I’m afraid ) or Project Blue Beam and H.A.A.R.P. (really don’t like those guys playing God ). Maybe on the next album there’s gonna be more space for these topics. I really like what Blackie Lawless did on the last WASP album, he changed mood, from songs like Blind In Texas of quiet few years ago, to songs like Heaven Hangs In Black. He’s more concerned about what’s going on the world and especially the USA, I really like it… maybe because we are all just getting older ?
Metal Exiles: What went into making your first full length as far as the songs? As mentioned, it’s a fun record, how did you avoid any stereotypes in your music?
Niro: We are a good band. When you are good, if you try to do something you succeed and people notice that. So I guess we just didn’t try to look like anyone. We just wanted to get these songs done they way we felt like”
Flash: “Yeah and I'm not sure if we avoided ALL the stereotypes but when we are a bit cliche we know that we're doing it and we embrace it. It's like in the track Viva La Decadence, "It's so predictable, it's unoriginal but we do it all!" "We know it's all been said before but we love it till we're lying on the floor". We're self aware! I think it's ok to be a little bit of a stereotype as long as you're not just a boring clone of someone else only you're not doing it justice. I suppose that's how we've avoided it by doing things our own way and not being afraid to be blatant and up front without forcing anything. As far as songs? Every one of those tracks was personal and important to all of us and it was essential they made the album. It was really difficult to chose which tracks to use, there were 16 in total. A lot of thought went into it, you know, fan favorites, our favorites and the tracks that fit best together. Even the tracks that didn't make it were important but either through the recording not being quite right or it's style not suitable for this album. They'll be re-recorded or released at some point I'm sure
Metal Exiles: The original CD cover for Viva La Decadence featured a snake and an ample set of boobs. Was this a selling point or just what you like to see?
Alice: I remember one day saying to Flash (or it was the other way around ?) That I would have liked to have a lizard tail between a pair of boobs on the cover of the album, we just looked at each other and laughed … we had the same thought .
Flash: Yeah it was the other way round! Ahaha I dunno we were drinking at the time. I remember thinking the guys might laugh at me when I suggest this but obviously Alice had the same idea. Originally I was struggling with a good idea for the cover and I wanted something to get people talking but at the same time summed up the tit…le of the album, 'Viva La Decadence' and what more than naked breasts on the cover? Well it worked anyway! It was gonna be a real Lizard nestled in between them but that proved impractical…that was a fun photo shoot! Oh and by the way it's meant to be the tail of The King Lizard, not a snake…but yeah it looks like a snake!
Niro: Research has shown that starring at boobs for 10 minutes a day is healthy for your blood pressure. Works for chicks too (-;
Metal Exiles: The great Chris Tsangarides produced your record. How did you land him and what of his past turned you on enough to want him?
Niro: Actually it was my idea. First of all he has a very good name for himself and second of all he worked with an Israeli band that was pretty famous when I was growing up – Stella Maris. They are a 70’s Metal/Rock band and from the same region when I lived in. They always worked in the local guitar shops and I used to hang out there and listen to their stories about recording with the guy.
Flash: Well there were two producers, Chris as well as Andy Brooke who is an absolute legend in the making. Chris was great because he'd worked with a lot of the legends and he treated us with the same respect even though we were obviously a smaller act. He had his own little ways of recording things and placing the mics etc, was a cool experience. Andy Brooke is definitely a name to look out for on album credits. We'd worked with him on our demos and it was like having a fifth member of the band. He was very passionate about it and it was just as important to him as it was to us that it came out as good as it did. I remember he said to me, "I wanna do this because I believe in it" Which I felt was cool.
Alice: Working with Chris was really good, I remember writing the bass line of Not For Me on the spot, he could really make you feel comfortable in studio.
Metal Exiles: What do you think of the current music scene. What is in your CD player as we speak?
Flash: I don't know what I think of the current music scene, I know that I'm bored of what's on my ipod. There are a lot of good bands out there and I like My Chemical Romance's new stuff and the last Motley Crue album, even Chinese Democracy, despite all the press, it's a good album. I like Wolfmother, Slash's album was incredible. Anything that's good no matter what the style is. In my CD player is currently RATT's new album. Niro's trying to get me into them for years so I'm giving em a go.
Alice: Marilyn Manson, KMFDM, Tool … I’m a bit the “Dark Side” of the band.
Niro: Alice Cooper, AC/DC, Cavalar, Megadeth, Pantera.
Metal Exiles: You are a fantastic guitar player with a huge sound. What did you use to record the album as far as equipment is concerned?
Niro: I used my dick. Just kidding, seriously I believe in a strong raw sound where you can feel the person’s hands on the guitar. I hate processors and effects and I always tell the boys I don’t wanna sound like a spaceship. I used my 1957 Gibson Les Paul Gold Top and a Marshall JCM2000. Settings wise – I guess the secret is to turn it up to 11. One last thing is you have to realize it’s not the same to play like that- you have to get used to it. I think the hardest part was finding the right parts for each guitar as its very different than playing in rehearsal. After that I kind of merge it all when we play it live.
Metal Exiles: Now that the record is out, what are the touring and promo plans for King Lizard?
Flash: We're gonna play everywhere people wanna hear us, we're currently after doing some good support slots. We did Crashdiet, Danny Vaughn from Tyketto and Tiger Tailz recently which was cool. We also wanna take it over seas, Scandinavia loves rock n' roll! We wanna try do some festivals this summer too.
Alice: I want to be the first band to have a Galaxy Tour!
Glam is alive and well and its going to be King Lizard to take it to the next level.
