Right, here's the deal. We're splitting up. Sad but true. There's been no arguing, no fall-out, no bad blood. Graeme told us he was wanting to concentrate on his work for the forseeable future, and so would not be able to be in the band . After a LOT of discussion, Stu and myself decided that it just wouldn't be the same with a different drummer. Aw shucks. So the decision has been made to call it a day. This is not something we did lightly. But it definitely feels like the right thing to do.

9 years is a fucking LONG time for any band to be together, and safe to say we've had some great times. Before I get all weepy, there are some honourable mentions to be made, and they're not in any particular order, so don't get shitty... People that have helped at the gigs (in some form or another)... The ginger ninja, Matty. Always ready with a spare guitar and a colourful insult to do with your mother. Irish Rob, soundman extraordinaire and the only person I know that can get away with not putting his shoes on for 3 days in a row. Babby and Dougie, for ensuring that we were always "in the zone", as it were. Big Dunc, for help, advice and getting us two of our best gigs (supporting Clutch, and the upcoming Karma to Burn gig - muchos gracias). Matt Justice, for all the jams at the Studios, and for giving us kick-ass sound whenever we played there. Plus for being the only person I know that when playing air guitar, you can actually see him sweep-picking. Sun Dried Toni, for taking the time, effort and cash to put our second album out. And for flashing the badge.

Then there's the bands. The unholy trinity as it were would be... Man of the Hour. Probably played more shows with these guys than anyone else. But playing gigs has only been a fraction of the fun we've had with these cunts. HEAVY METAL. Cheers to Tommy Concrete, Stevie Power, Soo and Bud. I'd be lying if I said I could remember all the shit we got up to, but I've seen the photo's, and fuck me it looked messy. Then there's Certain Death/ Drive-By Audio. 5 gadges from the Kingdom that we've always had a blast with, and one of the best live bands I know. Salutations to Shauny, Jeem, Steed, Fraze and Snars. Some of the early gigs at The Path were off the fucking chart. Then there's Jackie Treehorn. Relative newcomers to our wee circle of pals, but they made up for lost time admirably. Talented fuckers too. Hats off to Aaron, Kami, Jed, Ricki and Jason.

Other folk that deserve a wee shout... Ruiraidh, for coming to loads of gigs, and being the living embodiment of the phrase "smoking like a trooper", Brillo for speaking into a shoe at parties and getting all ti fuck, Bob for playing some ace harp for us, the Dog Tired boys, Bombskare, Taking Chase, anyone that ever came to see us/bought us a drink, anyone that ever gave us a gig, all the bands we've played with, the guys at Red Hot & Blue and Studio 13 for making us look like inked-up rockstars, anyone that ever bought anything we sold (special mention to the woman that bought a one-off customized JD t-shirt that was wet with bleach at the time) and anyone who ever liked our tunes enough to tell us - thanks.

Right, that about wraps this up. We were never the most productive or busy of bands, but then, we've done a lot that we're very happy with. Two albums that'll stand the test of time (hopefully), a lot of okay gigs, a few shit gigs, and a few gigs that were damn near perfect. I honestly can't pick out any particular high-points, because there have been so many of them over the years. So come to our last couple gigs, get pissed-up, and wave us goodbye. Thanks to everybody again, it's been a hell of a ride.

Chris, Stu and Graeme.

Bit of footage from our Cross The Streams tour earlier this year!

This is going to be amazing... Karma to Burn are playing Cabaret Voltaire in Edinburgh on the 8th December, and yours truly will be supporting them! Don't need to tell you how much this means to us, they've been a massive influence over the years, and when we saw them in London a couple of months ago they were fucking awesome. We'll keep you posted as to tickets, but safe to say, get them quick cos they won't last long! Arriba!

Our Cross The Streams Tour starts next monday....

Hope to see y'all at one the shows....

1st - Snafu, Aberdeen
3rd - 13th Note, Glasgow
4th - Madhatters, Inverness
5th - Windsor, Kirckaldy
6th - Bannermans. Edinburgh (supporting The Plight)

Should be a blast, cya down the front!

If you like movies made in the 80's you'll love this.....

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Written by Gautham Khandige

Tuesday, 17 February 2009

The Tyrant Lizard Kings is a British stoner rock band that apart from the occasional nod in the direction of Motorhead sounds more American than anything else. Think classic Blast Tyrant era Clutch mixed up with the first Karma to Burn album and you’re halfway to Six Shooter. The band has been around now since 2001 although Six Shooter is only the bands second album. Six Shooter starts with the one two punch of Yippee-Ki-Yay Motherfucker and Daddy’s Got You both of which have a lot of Clutch in them but also some of the laid back groove of Karma to Burn and at the same time, some of the garage rock inspiration of Nashville Pussy. After this, the album is a steady line up of catchy, melodic stoner rock and the band don’t really run out of memorable tunes through the course of the album. Gentleman’s Measure has a lazy blues groove happening complete with a harmonica and a lethargic vocal drawl while Scab has a bass and drum groove that leads the song into some melodic stoner rock territory. My Mouth is Rotten with Lies closes the album on a strangely upbeat but melancholic note after the party stoner fun of the preceding ten songs. Now, The Tyrant Lizard Kings are not doing anything that’s particularly new. The songs all owe a fair bit to Clutch and Karma to Burn but where the Kings score over most of their contemporaries is in the fact that they seem to have a great ear for catchy melodies with a real pop sensibility. These songs have the potential for much wider recognition and acceptance if not for the heavy and dirty typical stoner rock production. Six Shooter is a great album for driving around or generally listening to while travelling and the catchy grooves and sense of fun on this album is infectious. At the same time, like I said earlier, they’re not doing anything new. So if you’re not expecting an earth shattering revelation but simply want to light up a fatty and have a good time then The Tyrant Lizard Kings are pretty much the perfect band.(3.5/5)