LUZER

Artist Information

Biography

"...like 40 years ago, when rock still had its roll..."

In a strange way, creating well-crafted rock & roll with a pop sensibility in the year 2005 may be one of the most daring moves a band can attempt. But if anyone is up for the challenge, it is the New Jersey based LUZER. Taking the essence of great rock & roll from the last fifty years and spinning it into a refreshing original sound, LUZER has seemed destined for greatness since the band formed in the final days of the last millennium.

LUZER has made a name for themselves appearing all across the United States bringing their high-energy theatrical live performances from New Orleans to New York City and everywhere in between. With heavy comparisons to their biggest influences of Queen, The Beach Boys, and The Beatles, it only seemed appropriate for their first national tour to be in support of the country’s number one Beatles tribute act, Beatlemania Revisited. Performing to these wide cross-sections of audiences across the U.S. only confirmed what LUZER had always believed. Good music is timeless and ageless, and although the band’s harmony covered melodies may be a harsh contrast to whatever the current flavor of the week is on commercial radio, there is a huge mass audience of all ages just waiting for some future classic rock.

Although citing influences ranging from ELO to Thin Lizzy is not unheard of in today’s music scene, it is certainly rare in a band whose average age is barely 21. The band also possesses no shortage of musical versatility, featuring four drummers and three guitarists and keyboardists in a line-up of four members. Led by singer/songwriter Tim Mahoney, the band is rounded out by Dan Seeth, Chris Volk, and Sally (on their primary instruments of drums, bass guitar, and lead guitar respectively). The former high school classmates decided at it’s formation in late 1999 that performing original music would be their careers. And they have not stopped since, releasing two E.P.’s, two full-length albums, and a live cd, all before the bands members could legally drink alcohol.

The band always had a strong appreciation for classic pop and rock & roll, but their newest full-length release Reset has really brought their influences to the forefront. Described by The Cincinnati City Beat as “an over-the-top rocker guaranteed to make Garage Rock poseurs shit themselves,” Reset’s completely self-produced fifteen tracks are the culmination of five years of performing, songwriting, and learning the full potential of the recording studio. The City Beat review continues, “Retro nods to the Beach Boys and Squeeze flaunt what so many bands lack -- depth. It's really hard to believe these guys are in their twenties."

Albeit flattered by the notion of being mentioned in the same breath as their musical heroes, LUZER will be the first to shoot down the label of being “retro”. As Tim describes it, “You don’t want to rewrite great songs. You have to break down what made these songs great, and use those ingredients to make something new.” As the e-zine Fliggil put it, commenting on Tim’s songwriting, one listen to their newest album Reset will “easily distinguish Mahoney from the wanna-be’s of today’s mod-rock”.

With bold career aspirations including reuniting the surviving Beach Boys to lend their harmonies to a LUZER composition, to starring as themselves in a full-length feature film biopic of the band, LUZER has no goals short of being the biggest band in the world. With the sheer amount of great music these young musicians have produced in their first five years, their plans to rule the world of music just don’t seem too farfetched.

Instrumentation

Tim Mahoney - vocals/guitar/keys;
Chris Volk - bass;
Sally - lead guitar/keys/vocals;
Dan Seeth - drums/vocals

Discography

Greatest Hits (2000 LP)
The Fake Ass Rock Star EP (2001 EP)
Fake Ass Rock Star: EPisode II (2002 EP)
LIVE! Down On The Farm (2003 LP)
Reset (2004 LP)
The Yule Rock EP (2004 EP)
LUZER: Live At The Recher Theatre (2005 DVD)
Come On Mandy (2006 EP)

Audio

• When She Cries
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• Come On Mandy
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• Hey Jodie
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• Take A Trip
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• Breakin' Down
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Lyrics

• Hey Jodie
• Come On Mandy
• Your Sorry
• When She Cries
• Give Me A Sign

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Ezra Waller [+ Show ]
  

  CRITIC'S CHOICE "Drawing heavily on the Pop Rock legends of the last 30 years, this versatile New...CRITIC'S CHOICE
  
  "Drawing heavily on the Pop Rock legends of the last 30 years, this versatile New Jersey quartet manages to not sound dated or trite. Solid backbeats, vocal harmony and songs full of unforgettable melodies and licks make them strong contenders for any "next big thing" list. They deal equally well in Cheap Trick guitar attack and ELO keyboard flair.
  
  
  In five years, LUZER has made three great studio albums and toured the country several times, and the experience has sharpened their writing and abilities as instrumentalists. Their most recent CD, Reset, is an over-the-top rocker guaranteed to make Garage Rock poseurs shit themselves. Retro nods to the Beach Boys and Squeeze flaunt what so many bands lack -- depth. It's really hard to believe these guys are in their twenties."

• Ken Zipeto [+ Show ]
  

  "It's the best stuff I've heard in a long time. They've got a future! The songwriting is very catc..."It's the best stuff I've heard in a long time. They've got a future! The songwriting is very catchy. I'm glad there are still real musicians out there."

• Andre Gardner
  

  "The new LUZER cd is excellent!!! I await the news of the major label signing any day now."

• Not Lame Records [+ Show ]
  

  "Fetching, alluring three and four part vocal harmonies, notably inventive arrangements and positive..."Fetching, alluring three and four part vocal harmonies, notably inventive arrangements and positively first-rate songs for almost any pop fan."

• Patrick O'Shea [+ Show ]
  

  "LUZER's cd production shines almost as brightly as the band's playing...Despite, or maybe because o..."LUZER's cd production shines almost as brightly as the band's playing...Despite, or maybe because of all the different musical ingrediants, their flavor is very much their own."

• Joe Proke [+ Show ]
  

  "LUZER's new cd has a unique collaboration of rock and alternative styles, all wrapped up and presen..."LUZER's new cd has a unique collaboration of rock and alternative styles, all wrapped up and presented in a powerful driving force!"

• Wes Soriano [+ Show ]
  

  "LUZER is steadily gaining attention on the scene with powerful live performances all over the east ..."LUZER is steadily gaining attention on the scene with powerful live performances all over the east coast. Melodically, the songs are more complex than the average pop/punk tune."

Setlist

up to 75 minute set

Basic Requirements

Calendar