FROM THE MARCH ISSUE OF SPIN MAGAZINE:


FROM THE MARCH/APRIL ISSUE OF SMASH MAGAZINE:


Click here for our interview with Las Vegas Weekly (April 5)

Las Vegas Review Journal CD REVIEW (12-19-06)

By JASON BRACELIN

Lydia Vance, "Fight Fire With Kids on Fire" (myspace.com/lydiavance): It's called the "Saddest of All Keys," but the song doesn't really live up to its name, primarily because this bunch's tunes are so brash and buoyant that they make even heartache sound sort of inviting.

Spiky power-pop driven by slobbering guitars and frontman Brendan's breathy, wide-eyed singing, Lydia Vance sounds like the ghost of Jawbreaker. This is a fine start from one of Las Vegas' more promising bands.


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Las Vegas Review Journal (11-28-06)
Rockers Lydia Vance are a hot commodity on the local music scene

By LAUREN SEARS

Hailing from the ever-growing Las Vegas music scene is a four-man, experimental band that's self-described as nothing you've ever heard before. Made up of frontman Brendan Scholz, bass player Jarred Cooper, guitarist/vocalist Travis Naegle and drummer Aaron Weislogel, Lydia Vance is a band with a bright future.

Formed six months ago, the band already has played plenty of gigs throughout the Las Vegas Valley. The band started off just as most bands do, playing smaller venues. Recently, however, Lydia Vance has played with big name bands at bigger, more well known venues. One of their recent shows at Game Works on the Las Vegas Strip has even been plugged on local radio stations.

"Every time we set foot on stage we plan on playing the best show ever, " Cooper said. "With that goal we make sure our performances never have a dull moment. The shows are action packed and energetic. "

"Plus they are shirtless, " Naegle said.

Besides keeping themselves busy by giving their numerous fans plenty of high paced, action packed shows, the guys have recorded a number of songs including two of their newest numbers "Past in Pictures" and "It's a Shame." Both of these songs are posted on the bands Myspace page (www.myspace.com/Lydia Vance) and will also appear on the band's album "Fight Fire With Kids On Fire," which is expected to drop sometime in the coming months.

Recently the band has been spending hours in the studio writing and recording for the upcoming album. Many of the songs for the album already have been recorded in Las Vegas with the help of Mike Szuter. Because of the time and dedication it takes to put an album together, the already close band has formed a tighter bond.

"Music rules our lives, " Cooper said. "A lot of people in this business will say one thing and then do another, but you can't ever let that stop you. "

And if there is one thing that the guys of Lydia Vance will never do, it's let anything get in the way of their passion for making music.

"For us there's no life without music," Cooper said. "We can't stop listening to it or playing it. Music is our drug of choice and hopefully we will be able to turn our favorite pastime into a lifelong career. That's why we are always together making it. "

The members of Lydia Vance not only hold close ties with one another, but also with their fans. Whether it's at a show, on the street, or via Myspace.com, the boys of Lydia Vance always make sure their fans know how much they are loved and appreciated.

"We don't really have fans, we have friends, " Naegle said. "Because we appreciate everyone's support so much that's the way we've come to look at it. "

With influences such as Thin Lizzy, Squeeze, Elvis Costello and Johnny Thunders, Lydia Vance's sound is nothing like most of the bands in the Vegas scene. Lydia Vance is more old fashioned, bringing back the sounds of old school rock 'n' roll with their own twist.

"Our music is rock 'n' roll straight up, " Scholz said. "It really is, but at the same time, it's very unique. We don't sound like anyone else around. "

All of the band's songs are written by lead singer and guitarist Scholz. All of the band's songs have meaning to the members of the band as most of their songs talk about people and experiences from their lives.

"When I write songs I don't just right whatever sounds catchy, " Scholz said. "I write about life and the many things that come along with it. "

Though the band members have a supportive fan base, a rock solid bond and an intensely original sound, they still are faced with a number of obstacles. Besides the grueling work schedule, the biggest obstacle the band faces, as is the case for many musicians, is the industry.