#CanadianMusicWeek presents The Lazys
After conquering Australia, The Lazys have set their sights on North America and Canadians have done nothing but welcome them with open arms. The band first got together in 2007, touring with the likes of Against Me, Hollywood’s Ms. Juliette Lewis and the UK’s Gyroscope. After winning the Jack Daniels Set Award for best live band in Australia in 2008, they got signed onto a record label and the rest is history.
With three albums released in Australia, The Lazy’s have just released their first self titled Canadian album last year. They’re first song “Shake It Like You Mean It” is anthemic and reminiscent of fellow Aussies AC/DC. Here we get sit down with Leon Harrison to chat about his likeness for Canada and where you can find him between shows.
You call Canada your 2nd home. What is it that you love so much about Canadians?
They’re just really nice people and support our music. They like to go out and have a good time. Everyone is in good spirits. We’ve travelled around a good bit now.
Who are your favourite Canadian bands?
Billy Talent, One Bad Son, my mates The Wilds. We’ve played with The Trews, Big Wreck. There’s some great Canadian bands we’ve been playing with.
You’ve toured all over Canada. Where are your fondest memories?
I’ve spent a lot of time in Toronto. I really like it here. There’s something really magical I reckon happening. There’s just a lot of stuff happening in this city. We went up to Banff once, that was nice. We’ve been to Lake Louise. There’s some beautiful parts of country (we seen) driving through the Rockies. We saw our first moose.
Your sound is reminiscent of AC/DC, are they a band you look up to? Who else do you look up to?
Oh yeah! For sure. I like a lot of old grungy stuff like Silverchair, Nirvana, Soundgarden, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against The Machine. I love Zack de la Rocha is a favourite frontman of mine. He has so much energy, so I like to draw a bit of influence from him.
Lyrically, where do you draw your inspiration from?
What I’m feeling, I guess. We got a lot of anthemic songs on the album as well for our crowd. When we write our albums we have melody in mind and big choruses so people can sing along to. I don’t really sit in a dark room and get depressed. I just like keeping it in perspective with a rock show.
What do you do for downtime between shows?
Umm, I sleep. Lie about, do nothing. I’m gonna go have a beer with radio guys. I just had a hot dog on the street recently. I don’t know, there’s not a lot you can do. You can do some laundry…. at a laundromat. I stuffed mine up and put the powder in and went through a whole hour process and got them out of the drier and everything was covered in powder. I think I need some ladies to help out with my laundry.
What are your band’s goals in the future?
Uh probably earn money…hahaha… just earn some cash and take a holiday. No, we want to play. We’re a touring band, we’re a live rock band, so thats our immediate and extensive future.
How does your band go The Xtra Mile for their fans?
We’re very open and approachable people. We always stand at the merch desk after the show, have a beer with fans, we just mingle man. I’m a social person. It doesn’t matter if I’m gigging or if I’m off the road, I’m just in everyone’s face anyways.
Watch The Lazys’ video for “Shake It Like You Mean It” below!
