King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. A seven piece, psych-rock band from Australia with two drummers who knows how to put on a show.
Imagine the Ogden full of psych rockers who want to get out their angst about the cruel world we live in, and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard the perfect soundtrack to doing just that. It’s chaotic, it’s noisy, it’s nonsensical, and kind of apocalyptic. In a primarily dark setting, with psychedelic visuals over the seven piece crew, a multitude of songs from the bands massive discography were played, favorites including, “Rattlesnake”, “Lord of Lightning”, “Robot Stop”, as well as all the “Altered Beasts” tracks. In fragments between heavier setting songs, the band incorporated a mixture of conceptual jazz, flute breakdowns, and melodic vocals to soften the overall face melt that was this show. An awesome, energetic crowd filled the Ogden and made the show, and the inevitable mosh pit, a pleasure to be a part of (even if from a distance).
When asked about his favorite part of the show, local artist and Psych-Rock fan Joe Fabian said, ”Their ability to hone in on the precision of their own chaotic, microtonal madness as a collective shows they are truly wizards of their craft.” Attendees would agree. What better way to have fun on a Wednesday night than worshipping gods of inducing acid flashbacks?
The visuals were amazing, and upon looking into it, I discovered a man named Jason Galea who is King Gizzard’s “guy”. He is even said to be like the eighth member of the band by front man Stu Mackenzie as he is involved in the music very much in the aspect that he gets to hear everything the band does and is always very aware with what’s happening in terms on the band’s concepts and content.
The band has also promised 5 albums in 2017, and they’ve already put 2 out on their own, and one in collaboration with Mild High Club, so technically, 2 more albums still to come, eh? Continuously proving to be on top of their game, I look forward to what dystopian themes, silly hooks, and gnarly guitar riffs come next.