Lizard
Lizard formed in 1993 with the original lineup featuring Keith Wright (vocals guitar), Rod Morgan (guitar, vocals, piano, viola), Gwyn Morgan (bass, vocals) and Matt Farrelly (drums). The band competed in the 1996 Contact 89FM Battle of the Bands, and the same year had the track Leave me alone released on the compilation In Love With This Town. In 1998 they released an album Dave - Once a Lizard, Always a Lizard. In the same year the song "Take Me Away" was included on the Keen As compilation. Lizard disbanded in 2001 and reformed in 2007.
Current Members:
Lizard re-formed in 2007 and have recorded a new EP in 2011 soon to be released. The new lineup features two long term original members, Keith Wright (vocals guitar) and Gwyn Morgan (bass, vocals), and new band members Wade Nicholls (vocals; formerly of Medicated Joe), Richie Allen (guitar; formerly of Role Cage), and Emerson McCreedy (drums; formerly of Subliminal Warfare).
Wade Nicholls: Vocals (2008 – present)
Keith Wright: Gat & Vox (1993 – 2001, 2007 – present)
Gwyn Morgan: Bass & Vox (1993 – 2000, 2007 – present)
Richie Allen: Gat (2008 – present)
Emerson McCreedy: Drums (2010– present)
Previous Members:
Rod Morgan: Gat & Vox (1993 – 2000)
Mark Brightwell: Drums (1993 - 1997)
Paul Hindrup: Drums (1996 - 1997, 2008 - 2010)
Matt Farelly: Drums (1998 -2000)
Regan O’Conner: Drums (1993)
Chris O’Rielly: Gat (1993)
Lisa :Bass (2000- 2001)
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Band History:
Early Days 1993 – 1996: Lizard formed in the Waikato in 1993 and played around the Waikato, Auckland & Coromandel extensively for the next 8 years. Gwyn Morgan and Keith Wright started Lizard while they were both studying ant Waikato University. Both of their current projects and just split up and they had a few jams and looked for a drummer & guitarist to join them. Regan O’Conner (Cut to Pieces) was bought in and he suggested good friend Chris O’Rielly to come in on guitar. So the original line up was Keith Wright (Vox, Gat) Gwyn Morgan (Bass & Vox), Reagan O’Conner (Drums) and Chris O’Rielly (Gat). This line-up jammed for 6 months before Chris left on Guitar and Gwyn’s brother Rod Morgan came in on guitar and vocals. Gwyn and Rod had been together in two previous bands (Less Than Zero & “Rumpy Stiltskin”) and he was a natural fit. The addition of Rod saw Gwyn Rod and Keith really gel musically. Regan O’Conner left after another six months in early 1994 and Lizard got Mark Brightwell in on Drums from “Th Clap”. Th Clap had released their first album “Clunk Fuzz” and then split up shortly after. Gwyn and Mark had jammed previously and Th Clap & Rumpy Stiltskin had played many gigs together.
By this time Lizard had built up a great following in the Waikato playing regularly in Hamilton, Raglan, Whangamata and Waihi Beach. Lizard released a limited cassette of 4 demo songs called “Rumours’ in 1996 and had two songs “Rumours” and “Walkin Out on You” play listed on Contact FM. They sold all that were made. Lizard had a third track “Leave Me Alone” included on a Hamilton music compilation CD ‘In Love With This Town’1996.
1997 – 2001: In early 1997 Lizard were about to do a summer tour and start recording an album when Drummer Mark Brightwell broke his arm badly surfing and Lizard had to find a replacement at short notice. Long time Friend Paul Hindrup came in on drums for the tour but could not commit to Lizard due to his own band “Datura”. With this delay Lizard re-released the Rumours EP with one new song from the upcoming album and renamed it “Lizard Bitz”. In late 1997 Matt Farrelly was confirmed as the new Lizard drummer. In 2008 Lizard found their style with Matt had altered and wrote new material to suit his style. Lizard continued to grow their following playing Hamilton, Raglan and Coromandel and also extended up to Auckland and down to Palmerston North.
Lizard got into the studio in 1998 and recorded “Dave – Once a Lizard Always a Lizard” They released it in 1999 and sold 1000’s and continued to build a following and play all over the north Island. The video to “Something Not Right” was released in 1999 followed by the single “Take Me Away”. Their popularity grew with several radio stations including The Rock & Contact FM play listing the album. Lizard had a track “Take me Away” included on a music compilation CD ‘Keen As’ 2000 for up and coming New Zealand Bands.
In early 1999 Lizard had just finished their album release tour when the current line-up split up. Lizard recorded their last practice as that line up on ‘Valentines Day 1999’ as a record of the new songs that were to be the next album. Keith Wright recorded another album of his new material “Credito Experto” with a new lizard line-up. In late 2001 Lizard split up.
2007 – Present:
After a six year hiatus while band members pursued other projects Gwyn and Keith put Lizard back together for a one off to play Gwyn’s birthday party in Whangamata at the Surf Club. Rod Morgan and Paul Hindrup were on Guitar and Drums respectively. Long time friend Wade Nicholls was singing in another band “Medicated Joe” that also played at Gwyn’s party and jammed with Lizard that night. After the party Gwyn & Keith decided to reunite Lizard and asked Wade if he would sing in the new line-up. Rod Morgan decided not to join Lizard as he was moving to Melbourne Australia. Richie had played with Gwyn and Paul in a side project band “The Butchers” while Lizard was on hiatus and was an automatic choice for Gat to replace Rod. Paul Hindrup played with Lizard on Drums until June 2010 when Emerson McCreedy joined as the new drummer.
Lizard got back into writing new material in June 2010. After eight months of writing and practicing Lizard was ready to go. Six new songs were recorded in January at Red room studios in Hamilton with a new EP due out in 2011.
Influences:
Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Faith No More, Green Day, Foo Fighters, Stone Temple Pilots, The Offspring,
Discography:
Lizard have three previous releases of an E.P and two full length CD’s.
Rumours E.P (1996)
Dave – Once A Lizard Always A Lizard – Album (1998)
Credito Experto – Album (2000)
Soon To Be Released:
New EP – ZFS (2011)
