A Dirty Dozen with ELIO from IRON LIZARDS – August 2021

According to a recent press release: “Iron Lizards have released “Obey / Annihilate”, the second single leading up to their debut album Hungry for Action. The French power-trio combines raw, primitive rock n roll with 80’s hardcore into a tasty mixture of energetic, straightforward garage rock. No fucks given. No trends. Iron Lizards blast their guitars and make music alive once again. Raw riffs, and with no unnecessary shit in their songs. Straight on, no fuzz, and loud screaming guitars. Iron Lizards make you feel the wild and dangerous side of rock’n’roll. They make you remember the hazy days of the alternative ’90s. Combining the roughest part of music history, Iron Lizards are a true statement in this time and age. Be ready to testify, Iron Lizards will make your ear pukes of the loud and unfiltered joy of unsophisticated music. Iron Lizards are a power-trio from Paris, France. The band was formed in 2015 by Elio with their goals already set; honoring the old gods of Detroit (MC5, The Stooges) whilst paying their homage to the 90’s action rock scene (The Hellacopters, Zeke, New Bomb Turks). This was then mixed with influences taken from everything from 60’s garage punk to 80’s punk hardcore (Zero Boys, Minor Threat, Gang Green) and psychobilly (The Cramps).”  We get guitarist / singer Elio to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Our latest release is our debut album Hungry For Action. It features 12 songs of fast and dirty garage rock. It’s released by the Swedish Label The Sign records. We’re really excited about this! It all happens fast, the songs are at 200bpm so you need a few listens to the album to notice everything: small break parts or guitar solos will only be noticed after a few listens.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

My first memory of music was a commercial on tv I saw (I was about 7 years old) about a blues compilation tape cassette in France called Planète blues, with the song “Boom, Boom” by John Lee Hooker : I said “Mom, I want that cassette!” I then took guitar lessons a few months later and I never stopped playing the guitar.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

It’s more like 2 albums: Payin’ The Dues by The Hellacopters and later Death Alley by Zeke – these two albums made me interested in the Action / Speedrock genre. But it was definitely when I attended a gig of Peter Pan Speedrock, that I thought I wanna do that and play in a band like that!

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

It would be Nicke Andersson from The Hellacopters – this guy is really a genius – as a musician and as a producer! I’m also a huge fan of extreme metal (I also play in 2 metal bands) and this guy is an absolute legend!

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

A few years ago I started to learn how to skateboard, I regret not having learned it before as a teenager! It’s so much fun and gives you a true feeling of freedom (but also pain)!

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I’d describe our music as ‘Action rock’ or ‘Garage punk’, a Detroit rock base (MC5/Stooges) with faster/heavier influences (Motörhead, 80’s punk/Hardcore). I think the comparison that made me cringe the most is when people compares us to Fu Manchu. I love this band, I mean I really do, but I don’t think we sound like them at all; we don’t play stoner rock, barely use fuzz pedals, it’s not our scene. I know that Fu Manchu also describe their music as a mix of 70’s hard rock blended with 80’s punk / Hardcore, so that can explains a bit why, but it’s definitely not the same thing.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Nobody cooks but everybody drinks for sure! It never happened but I’d probably be the one who sings with acoustic guitars.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I watched recently a short film called Seen Him on Andy Anderson, the skateboarder – this guy is incredible – truly inspirational.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

My main job doesn’t have anything to do with music; it’s a serious and boring job, so I think that my dream job would definitely be a musician job!

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I’m tired of answering this kind of questions… Just kidding! Haha – I honestly have no idea, there are no wrong questions, any question will do!

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I don’t think I’d like to change a thing with my experience with Iron Lizards.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

It would be Sabbath Bloody Sabbath by Black Sabbath – I know it’s not our genre, but it’s my all time favorite record! If I could even be credited playing the triangle or anything it would be awesome! I absolutely love everything about this album!

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