Black Lizard interview with Joni Seppänen, Lauri Lyytinen, Onni Nieminen and Paltsa-Kai Salama
I don’t actually do a lot of shopping or listening to bands
when it comes to the merits of being on a certain label. I mean there are a handful of them out there
that I will give most of their stuff a listen but most of them just have to
much stuff that falls outside of my tastes or don’t live up to my
expectations. Fuzz Club records are
batting about a thousand these days with me though. I got turned on to them a few months ago and
I haven’t heard anything that they’ve released that I didn’t like. Black Lizard is no exception! Quickly conjuring images of the Brian
Jonestown Massacre for me it was funny to hear that Anton Newcombe had been
involved in the production of their latest release and debut self-titled album. But while they might have a lot in common
with Brian Jonestown Massacre there’s nothing derivative or boring about Black
Lizard, who bring their own unique take on the more classical and traditional
side of psychedelic music to the table.
Powered with towers of tambourines, (Joel Gione would be proud I’m sure)
distortion, fuzz, reverb, echo and a devastatingly tight rhythm section Black
Lizard carries on a sacred tradition passed down since the sixties. They do it proudly and they do it well. Enjoying the success of the debut album I caught
up with the Black Lizards to talk some shop and see just what they were going
to be up to. It took a while but we got
everyone in one place and now you can learn everything you ever wanted, or
needed, to know about this bad ass band!
Anyone who’s into psychedelic music, or even thinks they might be,
should give these guys a chance, because god damn is it some good stuff…
when it comes to the merits of being on a certain label. I mean there are a handful of them out there
that I will give most of their stuff a listen but most of them just have to
much stuff that falls outside of my tastes or don’t live up to my
expectations. Fuzz Club records are
batting about a thousand these days with me though. I got turned on to them a few months ago and
I haven’t heard anything that they’ve released that I didn’t like. Black Lizard is no exception! Quickly conjuring images of the Brian
Jonestown Massacre for me it was funny to hear that Anton Newcombe had been
involved in the production of their latest release and debut self-titled album. But while they might have a lot in common
with Brian Jonestown Massacre there’s nothing derivative or boring about Black
Lizard, who bring their own unique take on the more classical and traditional
side of psychedelic music to the table.
Powered with towers of tambourines, (Joel Gione would be proud I’m sure)
distortion, fuzz, reverb, echo and a devastatingly tight rhythm section Black
Lizard carries on a sacred tradition passed down since the sixties. They do it proudly and they do it well. Enjoying the success of the debut album I caught
up with the Black Lizards to talk some shop and see just what they were going
to be up to. It took a while but we got
everyone in one place and now you can learn everything you ever wanted, or
needed, to know about this bad ass band!
Anyone who’s into psychedelic music, or even thinks they might be,
should give these guys a chance, because god damn is it some good stuff…
Listen
while you read at: https://soundcloud.com/bllpc
while you read at: https://soundcloud.com/bllpc
What is the band’s
lineup? Is this your original lineup?
lineup? Is this your original lineup?
Joni: At first it was
just Paltsa and I doing songs with a 4-track tape recorder. After that we had six-piece band for a
while. It didn’t work out so we changed
the lineup to what it is now.
just Paltsa and I doing songs with a 4-track tape recorder. After that we had six-piece band for a
while. It didn’t work out so we changed
the lineup to what it is now.
Paltsa-Kai Salama: vocals, guitar.
Joni Seppänen: lead guitar, synths.
Onni Nieminen: drums, percussions.
Lauri Lyytinen: bass.
Are any of you in
any other bands right now? Have you
released any material with any other bands?
If so can you tell us a little bit about it?
any other bands right now? Have you
released any material with any other bands?
If so can you tell us a little bit about it?
Lauri: It seems that
almost every musician in Helsinki plays at least in two different bands. We all have, or had, projects besides Black
Lizard but now the main focus is on this band.
Joni plays in Octopus Syng which is a long-time psych rock band from
Finland though.
almost every musician in Helsinki plays at least in two different bands. We all have, or had, projects besides Black
Lizard but now the main focus is on this band.
Joni plays in Octopus Syng which is a long-time psych rock band from
Finland though.
Onni: I played in some
stoner rock bands a few years ago but we didn’t release anything. Now Black Lizard is my only band.
stoner rock bands a few years ago but we didn’t release anything. Now Black Lizard is my only band.
How and when did
you all meet?
you all meet?
Lauri: Joni and
Paltsa have known each other forever, Onni and I came along in early 2011. Can’t really remember when or how everybody
met…
Paltsa have known each other forever, Onni and I came along in early 2011. Can’t really remember when or how everybody
met…
Joni: Paltsa knew
Onni from somewhere, and I had met Lauri maybe once before I asked him if he
wanted to join the band!
Onni from somewhere, and I had met Lauri maybe once before I asked him if he
wanted to join the band!
Onni: I’ve known
Paltsa since I moved to Helsinki. I saw
a couple of “pre-Black Lizard’s” gigs before I joined the band.
Paltsa since I moved to Helsinki. I saw
a couple of “pre-Black Lizard’s” gigs before I joined the band.
Paltsa: Yeah, Joni
and I have known each other for over twenty-years. We started our first band when we were five
and six years old!
and I have known each other for over twenty-years. We started our first band when we were five
and six years old!
What led you to
start Black Lizard and when was that?
start Black Lizard and when was that?
Joni: It was just
supposed to be a project to do the 60’s psych stuff we loved. Then we thought it would be cool to play few
gigs, somehow it’s grown in to this…
supposed to be a project to do the 60’s psych stuff we loved. Then we thought it would be cool to play few
gigs, somehow it’s grown in to this…
Paltsa: We started
the band in late 2008 but it was very different than it is now. It’s hard to even call it the same band.
the band in late 2008 but it was very different than it is now. It’s hard to even call it the same band.
What does the name
Black Lizard mean or refer to? Does it
have anything to do with the Japanese cult-film or underground San Francisco
publisher who shares the same name?
Black Lizard mean or refer to? Does it
have anything to do with the Japanese cult-film or underground San Francisco
publisher who shares the same name?
Lauri: The band’s
name doesn’t have anything to do with either of the things you mentioned. We had a different and longer name for a
while, but as the lineup changed to the current lineup the name changed along
with it. The name itself doesn’t mean or
refer to anything special, it’s just sort of a label or heading that suits our
music.
name doesn’t have anything to do with either of the things you mentioned. We had a different and longer name for a
while, but as the lineup changed to the current lineup the name changed along
with it. The name itself doesn’t mean or
refer to anything special, it’s just sort of a label or heading that suits our
music.
Joni: Yeah the
original name was Black Lizard and the Liquid Plastic Castles. The last part of the name was taken from a
13th Floor Elevators’ song.
original name was Black Lizard and the Liquid Plastic Castles. The last part of the name was taken from a
13th Floor Elevators’ song.
Where are you
originally from?
originally from?
Lauri: Joni, Paltsa
and I are from Helsinki. Onni is from
Jyväskylä.
and I are from Helsinki. Onni is from
Jyväskylä.
Where is the band
currently located? How would you
describe the local music scene there?
currently located? How would you
describe the local music scene there?
Joni: Plenty of
bands, most of them shit.
bands, most of them shit.
Onni: We’re from
Helsinki which is the capital city of Finland.
The music scene is lively here but there’s quite a small audience for
any kind of alternative music. There are
enough record stores where you can order whatever you want to hear and there
have been a ton of great hardcore bands in last six years.
Helsinki which is the capital city of Finland.
The music scene is lively here but there’s quite a small audience for
any kind of alternative music. There are
enough record stores where you can order whatever you want to hear and there
have been a ton of great hardcore bands in last six years.
Are you very
involved with the local scene?
involved with the local scene?
Lauri: The active
music scene in Helsinki isn’t that big, almost everybody knows each other. We’ve played lots of gigs in Helsinki with
different bands and that’s how you meet new people and make new friends.
music scene in Helsinki isn’t that big, almost everybody knows each other. We’ve played lots of gigs in Helsinki with
different bands and that’s how you meet new people and make new friends.
Has it played a
large role in the history or evolution of Black Lizard?
large role in the history or evolution of Black Lizard?
Joni: No, not really.
Can you tell us
about who your major musical influences are?
What about the band as a whole rather than just personally?
about who your major musical influences are?
What about the band as a whole rather than just personally?
Onni: We all have our
own favorites but we listen to lots of the same bands.
own favorites but we listen to lots of the same bands.
Joni: We all like
bands like Spacemen 3, Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Stooges, Jesus and Mary
Chain, The 13th Floor Elevators, Velvets, Dead Skeletons, Singapore Sling. Stuff like that.
bands like Spacemen 3, Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Stooges, Jesus and Mary
Chain, The 13th Floor Elevators, Velvets, Dead Skeletons, Singapore Sling. Stuff like that.
Paltsa: I think as
songwriters the main influences for Joni and I, along with the bands he
mentioned earlier, are our old favorites, bands like The Beatles, early Stones
lots of sixties garage and psychedelic rock.
Besides that we like lots of different stuff, from old 30’s blues to
acid-house.
songwriters the main influences for Joni and I, along with the bands he
mentioned earlier, are our old favorites, bands like The Beatles, early Stones
lots of sixties garage and psychedelic rock.
Besides that we like lots of different stuff, from old 30’s blues to
acid-house.
I am absolutely
loathe to assign labels and classify music, how would you describe your sound
to our readers that might not have heard you yet?
loathe to assign labels and classify music, how would you describe your sound
to our readers that might not have heard you yet?
Joni: Psych and punk,
lots of fuzz, tremolo and reverb.
lots of fuzz, tremolo and reverb.
Can you tell us a
little bit about your songwriting process?
Is there someone who comes to the rest of the band with a fairly
finished product to work out or is there a lot of exploratory jamming?
little bit about your songwriting process?
Is there someone who comes to the rest of the band with a fairly
finished product to work out or is there a lot of exploratory jamming?
Joni: We don’t really
like to jam. Paltsa and I usually have
ideas we try to turn into songs with the rest of the guys.
like to jam. Paltsa and I usually have
ideas we try to turn into songs with the rest of the guys.
Paltsa: Sometimes
Joni and I will record demos together to try out different ideas before
bringing songs into the band. Then we
all get together to see what we can make out of them. Sometimes it takes a long time to work out
songs the way we want, we try out different tempos and moods to see what works
best.
Joni and I will record demos together to try out different ideas before
bringing songs into the band. Then we
all get together to see what we can make out of them. Sometimes it takes a long time to work out
songs the way we want, we try out different tempos and moods to see what works
best.
Onni: Searching for
the right rhythm and mood for each particular song takes time but that’s the
biggest part of songwriting for me.
the right rhythm and mood for each particular song takes time but that’s the
biggest part of songwriting for me.
Your EP on Fuzz
Club Records has been extremely well received.
Can we talk a little bit about the recording of that album? Where was it recorded? Who recorded it? What kind of equipment was used?
Club Records has been extremely well received.
Can we talk a little bit about the recording of that album? Where was it recorded? Who recorded it? What kind of equipment was used?
Lauri: We pretty much
recorded the EP by ourselves. It was
mainly recorded in our rehearsal room by Paltsa. We didn’t use any special equipment, just a
laptop, a few mics and our instruments.
Paltsa also mixed the EP.
recorded the EP by ourselves. It was
mainly recorded in our rehearsal room by Paltsa. We didn’t use any special equipment, just a
laptop, a few mics and our instruments.
Paltsa also mixed the EP.
Paltsa: Yeah, we
recorded basic tracks at this small studio in Theater School of Helsinki. Our friend is studying there so we just snuck
in for the weekend. We did most of the
overdubs at our rehearsal space.
Recording and mixing was done with Logic.
recorded basic tracks at this small studio in Theater School of Helsinki. Our friend is studying there so we just snuck
in for the weekend. We did most of the
overdubs at our rehearsal space.
Recording and mixing was done with Logic.
A lot of the Fuzz
Club Records releases are extremely limited, is your 10” EP limited? Is it still in print?
Club Records releases are extremely limited, is your 10” EP limited? Is it still in print?
Lauri: There are 300
copies of that EP, 100 transparent red vinyl copies which are sold out from the
Fuzz Club web-shop, and 200 on classic black wax.
copies of that EP, 100 transparent red vinyl copies which are sold out from the
Fuzz Club web-shop, and 200 on classic black wax.
Anton Newcombe
produced the recent self-titled album; can you tell us how he came to be
involved with the project? What was the
extent of his involvement with the new album?
Did you enjoy working with him?
Are any of you Brian Jonestown Massacre fans?
produced the recent self-titled album; can you tell us how he came to be
involved with the project? What was the
extent of his involvement with the new album?
Did you enjoy working with him?
Are any of you Brian Jonestown Massacre fans?
Joni: Yeah, we’re big
fans. We met him when we were opening for
Brian Jonestown Massacre in Helsinki June of last year and apparently he dug
us, ‘cause he invited us to his studio in Berlin.
fans. We met him when we were opening for
Brian Jonestown Massacre in Helsinki June of last year and apparently he dug
us, ‘cause he invited us to his studio in Berlin.
Lauri: Brian
Jonestown Massacre is a really important band to all of us. Anton was more like a mentor than a
producer. He was gave us some really
good ideas and advice and made us feel welcome in his studio.
Jonestown Massacre is a really important band to all of us. Anton was more like a mentor than a
producer. He was gave us some really
good ideas and advice and made us feel welcome in his studio.
Let’s talk about
the recording of the self-titled album.
Where was it recorded, who recorded it?
What kind of equipment was used?
the recording of the self-titled album.
Where was it recorded, who recorded it?
What kind of equipment was used?
Onni: We started to
record our first album autumn of last year.
We have simple recording equipment, a lap-top, a few microphones, wires,
etcetera, in our rehearsal space.
Paltsa, who also mixed the album, did all the recordings in
Helsinki. The other half of the album we
did in Berlin, Germany at Anton’s studio.
We rented his cozy studio and lived there for three days. We also had studio engineer Fabien Leseure
who was the best guy to set all the mics with his sharp ear and clever mind.
record our first album autumn of last year.
We have simple recording equipment, a lap-top, a few microphones, wires,
etcetera, in our rehearsal space.
Paltsa, who also mixed the album, did all the recordings in
Helsinki. The other half of the album we
did in Berlin, Germany at Anton’s studio.
We rented his cozy studio and lived there for three days. We also had studio engineer Fabien Leseure
who was the best guy to set all the mics with his sharp ear and clever mind.
Joni: We were able to
use all of Anton’s cool equipment he has there like a Mellotron, some 60’s vox
guitars, a sitar and these analog synthesizers.
use all of Anton’s cool equipment he has there like a Mellotron, some 60’s vox
guitars, a sitar and these analog synthesizers.
Paltsa: Anton’s
studio was a very inspiring place. He
gave us some good ideas, he has some really wonderful instruments and we had a
really great time there overall.
studio was a very inspiring place. He
gave us some good ideas, he has some really wonderful instruments and we had a
really great time there overall.
Who released the
self-titled album?
Onni: The album was
released by Soliti. We’ve got the best
indie label in Finland.
released by Soliti. We’ve got the best
indie label in Finland.
Are there plans
for any other releases this year?
Onni: We are thinking
about releasing a single later this year.
about releasing a single later this year.
Lauri: We have one
track that’s not on the album. It
appears on the Soliti label’s two-year birthday compilation.
track that’s not on the album. It
appears on the Soliti label’s two-year birthday compilation.
Recording drives
some bands completely insane! Do you
enjoy getting into the studio and recording?
some bands completely insane! Do you
enjoy getting into the studio and recording?
Lauri: It’s always
exciting to get into studio to record some new songs. That’s how the songs get their final form and
sound for us. It’s interesting how a
song that has been played live for a long time might sound totally different in
studio.
exciting to get into studio to record some new songs. That’s how the songs get their final form and
sound for us. It’s interesting how a
song that has been played live for a long time might sound totally different in
studio.
Paltsa: Some of our
best songs have taken their final form, the way we play them live these days,
from in the studio. We love to try out
loads of different things when we are recording. Usually it’s a fun experience. But sometimes, of course, it gets on our
nerves, especially if we have a deadline coming up fast. I usually spend lots of time recording my
vocal tracks. I think my personal record
is fifty-seven vocal takes for one song!
best songs have taken their final form, the way we play them live these days,
from in the studio. We love to try out
loads of different things when we are recording. Usually it’s a fun experience. But sometimes, of course, it gets on our
nerves, especially if we have a deadline coming up fast. I usually spend lots of time recording my
vocal tracks. I think my personal record
is fifty-seven vocal takes for one song!
Can you tell us
about your recording process in general?
How did it change between the recording of the EP and the full-length?
about your recording process in general?
How did it change between the recording of the EP and the full-length?
Joni: I don’t think
there was really a difference. We just
record some basic tracks. After that we
start to add layers of other instrument and whatever else comes in mind.
With the recent
postal rate increases where is the best place for our US readers to buy copies
of your albums? What about international
and overseas readers?
Joni: For now I think
our label’s web shop is the easiest way.
The album will be released in UK and Germany in the fall and some other
countries as well hopefully.
our label’s web shop is the easiest way.
The album will be released in UK and Germany in the fall and some other
countries as well hopefully.
What do you have
planned as far as touring goes for the rest of the year?
planned as far as touring goes for the rest of the year?
Joni: We have some
gigs here in Finland coming up. In the
fall we’re going to play some shows in the middle of Europe.
gigs here in Finland coming up. In the
fall we’re going to play some shows in the middle of Europe.
© Joona Rajatie
© Joona Rajatie
© Matias Haataja
Do you have any
funny or interesting stories from live shows that you’d like to share with our
readers?
funny or interesting stories from live shows that you’d like to share with our
readers?
Joni: Nothing special
comes to mind.
comes to mind.
Paltsa: Sometimes
it’s pretty Spinal Tap, but that’s the way things go for most of the bands I
think. Things happen when you are
touring, too embarrassing and too boring to mention.
it’s pretty Spinal Tap, but that’s the way things go for most of the bands I
think. Things happen when you are
touring, too embarrassing and too boring to mention.
Do you enjoy
touring? Do you spend a lot of time on
the road?
touring? Do you spend a lot of time on
the road?
Joni: We haven’t had
any major tours yet, for now it has been really great.
any major tours yet, for now it has been really great.
Paltsa: We had a tour
in Finland when our record came out here in April. It was really great. We enjoyed it a lot. It was wonderful to meet new people and see
new places. I’m really looking forward
touring in Europe. And elsewhere too!
in Finland when our record came out here in April. It was really great. We enjoyed it a lot. It was wonderful to meet new people and see
new places. I’m really looking forward
touring in Europe. And elsewhere too!
© Pawel Walkowicz
I really do like
digital music. I enjoy the freedom to
listen to music wherever and however I want, but there’s something
irreplaceable about physical releases for me.
Having something to hold, artwork to look at, liner notes to read. It makes the listening experience more complete,
at least for me. Do you have any such
connection with physical releases?
digital music. I enjoy the freedom to
listen to music wherever and however I want, but there’s something
irreplaceable about physical releases for me.
Having something to hold, artwork to look at, liner notes to read. It makes the listening experience more complete,
at least for me. Do you have any such
connection with physical releases?
Joni: Yeah, if I dig
the album I want the physical copy for sure.
the album I want the physical copy for sure.
Onni: I like to
collect vinyl and cassettes.
collect vinyl and cassettes.
Do you have a
music collection? If so can you tell us
about it?
Joni: I own quite a
good collection of LP’s, 7″ and some cassettes, but I only have a few CDs.
good collection of LP’s, 7″ and some cassettes, but I only have a few CDs.
Lauri: I wouldn’t
call it a collection yet, but if I have any extra money, I’ll probably spend it
on new vinyl.
call it a collection yet, but if I have any extra money, I’ll probably spend it
on new vinyl.
Onni: When I have too
much money I will always buy records. I
have lot of vinyl. Finnish prog, Finnish
tangos and 60s folk, hardcore punk, heavy and doom classics…
much money I will always buy records. I
have lot of vinyl. Finnish prog, Finnish
tangos and 60s folk, hardcore punk, heavy and doom classics…
There are always
upsides and downsides to everything, and while digital music might be
undermining decades of ground work in the music industry it’s also exposing a
lot of bands that might otherwise never receive any exposure. What is your opinion on digital music and
distribution?
upsides and downsides to everything, and while digital music might be
undermining decades of ground work in the music industry it’s also exposing a
lot of bands that might otherwise never receive any exposure. What is your opinion on digital music and
distribution?
Joni: It’s always a
good thing to get to know new bands.
good thing to get to know new bands.
Paltsa: It’s really
easy to get lost in the digital music jungle.
But I still think that if you make music with your heart you’ll be
noticed one way or another.
easy to get lost in the digital music jungle.
But I still think that if you make music with your heart you’ll be
noticed one way or another.
In the hopes of
keeping up with all the amazing bands out there right now I ask everyone I talk
to this question so please feel free to list as many or as few as you’d like
but, who should I be listening to from your local area or scene that I might
not have heard of before?
keeping up with all the amazing bands out there right now I ask everyone I talk
to this question so please feel free to list as many or as few as you’d like
but, who should I be listening to from your local area or scene that I might
not have heard of before?
Joni: Joensuu 1685,
Octopus Syng, 23:23, Black Twig, KXP, Siinai, Ghost of Jack Nance. That’s all that comes to mind at the moment.
Octopus Syng, 23:23, Black Twig, KXP, Siinai, Ghost of Jack Nance. That’s all that comes to mind at the moment.
Paltsa: I think
22-Pistepirkko is one of the best bands in Finland ever. Also there’s a band called Merries who are
really good.
22-Pistepirkko is one of the best bands in Finland ever. Also there’s a band called Merries who are
really good.
Onni: My favorite
Finnish band right now is 23:23, beautiful songs with a really nice lo-fi sound. Black Twig is also really good!
Finnish band right now is 23:23, beautiful songs with a really nice lo-fi sound. Black Twig is also really good!
© Arielle Carroll
What about
nationally and internationally?
nationally and internationally?
Joni: You probably
know all of these; Lucid Dream, The Wands, Dead Rabbits, Dead Skeletons,
Singapore Sling, Electric Eye, Spacegazer, Temples, Sonic Jesus, Underground
Youth.
know all of these; Lucid Dream, The Wands, Dead Rabbits, Dead Skeletons,
Singapore Sling, Electric Eye, Spacegazer, Temples, Sonic Jesus, Underground
Youth.
Onni: Lucid Dream,
The Underground Youth, White Fence, and Blue Angel Lounge.
The Underground Youth, White Fence, and Blue Angel Lounge.
Is there anything
that I missed or you’d just like to talk about?
that I missed or you’d just like to talk about?
Joni: Hah, can’t
really add anything to this. Thanks for
the interview!
really add anything to this. Thanks for
the interview!
Paltsa: Thank you!
DISCOGRAPHY
(2012) Black Lizard –
EP – digital, CD, 10” – Self-Released/Fuzz Club Records
EP – digital, CD, 10” – Self-Released/Fuzz Club Records
(2013) Black Lizard –
Black Lizard – digital, CD, 12” – Soliti Records
Black Lizard – digital, CD, 12” – Soliti Records
© Jussi Nygren
Interview made by Roman Rathert/2013
© Copyright http://psychedelicbaby.blogspot.com/2013
