Lionize is a band that defies easy categorization.
Some bands are easy to pigeonhole. Because of genre-sorting tools like Pandora and Sirius XM, we have been able to carve the ocean of music into neat little regions. This divides bands by style and societal association, whether they intend to be categorized or not. Some bands work comfortably within these divisions, ignoring the public's labels in favor of creating art consistently and peacefully. Lionize is not one of these bands. [caption id="attachment_2378" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]
Lionize Press Photo[/caption]
You can hear their influences clear and strong – Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Bad Brains, and The Wailers, just to name a few. However, their sound and persona have grown far beyond a simple algorithm. It makes sense, and it shows. Lionize has been a band for more than a decade, not slowing in recording, touring, and honing its sound since the band's formation in Montgomery County, Maryland, in 2004. They’ve toured with legendary acts like Clutch, The Sword, Yellowman, and Fuel; now they’re turning a new page in their development as a band.
Now the band is coming back to its roots, and you're invited.
In celebration of a jam-packed tour schedule, Lionize is coming home to the DMV to play a rare one-off headlining show at DC9 Nightclub. This is a special chance for live music fans to catch a stadium-quality show, and it's hard to say when they might do this again. Lionize usually comes to this area to support bigger bands at the 9:30 Club, or else they're traveling abroad to play huge festivals. Case in point: after their D.C. appearance, Lionize will go on to spend the rest of the summer touring the U.K. and Ireland. Their expansive tour also includes headlining appearances at venerated rock festivals like Ramblin’ Man Fair and Bloodstock.
Fans of rock and roll will see the band's appeal instantly. There’s something timeless about the strength of frontman Nate Bergman’s vocals and the way they command space. The band lays multiple harmonies atop a bed of churning and dramatic instrumentation, creating a sound that makes you feel like you’re standing at the gates of Valhalla. It's like letting thunder wash over you.
"Nuclear Soul"
Part of the hype for this hometown show is that it also comes in anticipation of the band's upcoming new album. Their record Nuclear Soul is out September 8, and it's a powerhouse. Jean Paul Gaster of Clutch, and J. Robbins of legendary D.C. bands like Government Issue and Jawbox, are producing the record together. This author got the privilege of a rare pre-release listen, and it’s some of the best rock and roll I've heard in what feels like ages. It’s taut, powerful, and full of thought-provoking introspection. [caption id="attachment_2379" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]
Lionize live - courtesy of Blow The Scene[/caption]
As if this all wasn't enough, two of the area's most ambitious bands are joining them at DC9. The second act of the night is the terrific Of Tomorrow, also out of Washington, D.C. They are a future-funk powerhouse made up of some of the most ferocious musicians I have has ever heard. They bring an unstoppable dance party to every stage they grace.
Finally, Tomato Dodgers is opening the show. The College Park-based sextet are one of the strangest and most theatrical bands in the D.C. area and beyond. Legend has it that they are on a mission to take the entire contents of the planet earth deep into a black hole. With their not-quite-funk and not-quite-human live performance, I am inclined to believe it.
