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| Luzer |
There is really no way to compare Luzer to any of its contemporaries. The Trenton, N.J. band’s look,
live show and sound is all about originality, something which
today’s entertainment industry surely lacks.
The band draws attention from music fans with its 1970's high school look, but
keeps them interested with catchy hooks, skillful musicianship and
stage theatrics that are reminiscent of Kiss and Cheap Trick.
“We’re huge Kiss fans,” said Timothy Sean Mahoney, the band’s
lead vocalist, guitarist and keyboardist. “We really try to be as
theatrical as possible. We really just hope that everyone has a fun
time when they come to our show.”
Aside from Kiss, the band’s influences also include Queen and the
Beatles. The band learned a lot of modern rock songs when it began
about six years ago, but found itself playing originals just a few
months later. Luzer’s music has changed from modern and classic rock
to music which sounds more like pop, Mahoney said.
The band also includes Dan Seeth on drums, Chris Volk on bass and
“Sally” on lead guitar, keys, and vocals.
The band categorizes itself as rock 'n’ roll, Mahoney said. The
Beatles and the Beach Boys, both of which were really the pop of
their day, were also great songwriters, he said.
Luzer has toured extensively over the last few years playing
weekend mini-tours and music conferences.
The band was anxious to get out and tour again after recording
its latest EP, Come On Mandy, Mahoney said. Released in late
April, the EP includes the title track and three other songs. Luzer
also has released a pair of full-length studio albums, along with a
live album and 2005’s Live at the Recher Theatre DVD.
The latest EP is completely self-produced with the help of an
outside engineer. The band is usually very clear on the recording it
wants to make prior to coming into the studio, Mahoney said. The
band tries to record with a nice room sound and not too many
effects, he said.
The band does use effects such as EQ and tries to sound dirty
rather than clean, he said. The band compensates for Seeth’s
deep-sounding snare drum with crunchy guitars, Mahoney said.
A lot of sensitivity is present toward drum parts since both he
and Volk once played the drums. “We spend a lot of time really
working on our drum sound,” he said.
Mahoney said that he sings ninety percent of the band’s studio
harmonies. Adding different vocal parts make a song more
melodic and catchy. If the part is melodic, it will add
another dimension to the song, he said.
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| Luzer |
The band spends a lot of time working out each guitar solo before
it is used, he said. “The dual lead parts are completely Brian
May (Queen’s guitarist) inspired."
The band’s songs are written by Mahoney. In some cases, when
writing a song, Mahoney said he will add a small section to a
four-track and let it sit for a few weeks or even months. He might
then come back and add it to a different song. In other cases,
he will just sit down and write.
Mahoney has known Seeth since junior high school and Volk since
he was about four-years-old.
In terms of appearance, the band’s members worked together to
find an individual look for each member, Mahoney said. Volk, for
example, tries to embody the rock 'n’ roll image in his look.
“I think different people relate to each of us a little
differently as opposed to all of us walking out in matching suits,
all black or something else,” Mahoney said.
The band plans to send its latest EP to college radio stations
and continue to tour.
“Right now, we’re just excited to play out as much as possible,”
Mahoney said. |
