While I was more active posting on Modblog one thing I tried to get rolling was a “Modblog Music” feature, where I showcased musicians who were also heavily involved in the body modification world. The two vastly different creative outlets seem to go hand in hand quite often, so why not focus on those who are active with both?
My buddy, Cheyne is a good example of that. He has pretty much a full body suit of disgustingly amazing tattoos and he also makes his living doing body piercings at Jinx Proof Tattoo in Washington, DC. He also happens to be an up and coming rapper with some extremely well put together tracks and videos.
Ever since I first discovered The Lizardman, way back in my RAB days, I have kept up with his constant transformations, and new endeavors. Recently, he began a whole new chapter or his life. He has always been a performer, and for several years he was involved with music as the MC for the Jager Tour. Now he has taken the next obvious step, by fronting a band himself.
When I first heard about this, I expected it to be kind of a joke band…..a funny drunken joke band, but a joke band no less. But upon listening to it, it became obvious this is something the Lizardman was serious about. It’s not music for everybody, but for people who enjoy Henry Rollins or Jim Carroll type spoken word, or who are die-hard Lizardman fans this is definitely an album to pick up. Then there is the live show, which like any Lizardman performance it will be well one not to miss. There will be the drunken sideshow antics we have all come to love combined with the musical onslaught served up by his band and him, I assure you it will be one show worth catching.
Lizard Skynard is an exciting new band fronted by the famous Lizardman and Mossy Vaughn from the band The Heavils (metalblade.com)…Erik ‘The Lizardman’ Sprague is an accomplished sideshow entertainer, world traveler, stand up comedian and professional FREAK.The band also features drummer Johnny baker from the grind band Waco Jesus and on bass Russell Gillespie (Mothertrucker,KeyChainToker) and Eric Vaughn on keyboards. The New album was recorded at Electrical Audio studios with Greg Norman and mastered at Chicago Mastering with Jason Ward…
This all started because Mossy wanted to play music again and saw Erik ‘The Lizardman’ Sprague as his meal-ticket. The Heavils were not playing and who better to start a new project with but his green friend.
They talked about this band for about two years over many Jagermeister shots and while indulging in chemical inspiration they found the perfect name: Lizard Skynard. It was a lot cooler than Lizzard of Oz or REO MeatLizard and it got the right mix of awe and amusement from all who heard it. Mossy brought his cousin Johnny Baker (from the band Waco Jesus) to play drums and did some demos.They then recruited former Mothertrucker bassist Russell Gillespie and former Iron Sausage keyboardist Eric Vaughn to make the band even stronger.
If you want to check it out for yourself, you can stream it ,or order the cd from lizardskynardband.com or if you prefer the mp3 download it is available now on itunes.
The body modification community is about as creative and as expressive a group of human beings as the world has ever known. It makes perfect sense that those into body mods and body play rituals would also be into other creative outlets such as art, music, acting and so on. For a while now I had considered asking for submissions to do a regular Modblog Music feature. Those of you who have been on BME long enough may remember the BME CD, well this feature would carry on in that tradition, but on modblog rather than on a cd.
For whatever reason, I never actually followed through with this idea. Then my friend Anthony, who you MUST remember from his BME Rap, shot me a message on facebook asking if I would feature his band. At first I saw the band name “Eye Am Legion“, which reminded me of the line “we are legion” from that godawful Ghost Rider movie and it immediately turned my stomach a bit. Then I thought about their use of “eye” rather than “I” and it reminded me of the sweet Southern sounds of EyeHateGod and all was forgiven.
But I digress, Anthony is a pretty bad ass guitar player, very visibly modded and a helluva nice guy. I think his band will make for an excellent first Modblog Music feature.
EYE AM LEGION is a band with a message from the heart. Our lyrics contain messages of self-revolution anti-police brutality and most importantly unity. The band is driven by one core belief; “No external moral code, person, or source should ever have higher authority over you then you have over your own self.” This band is a statement, to finally get kids excited about being a family and unified in a cause. To drop everything, let loose, free your mind and just SHRED. Its time to finally question that are supposed to be our “authority” and free your soul as you listen. These people are not our allies, our brothers and sisters grant eachother autonomy, and personal freedom. We take a step back from politics as it is no longer relevant. We encourage enlightenment through music, a feeling of being one with the band, and losing your fucking shit at a show.
This band and its fans is a family, together we stand to take back our lives.
Want your band featured here? Shoot an email with bio, website and an embeddable link (most likely youtube) to [email protected] First spots will be given to active members of the body modification community and IAM members.
Before the hate mail begins let me remind the commenters, Modblog isn’t just about the mods, it’s about the modified community as well.
