Lions For Real – Heathens
Review by Jessica Klinner
Looking through the Lions For Real Facebook page, you will come across the following statement: “Whiskey. Beer. Love. Rock & Roll. Soul + the need to move people.” The words serve to give interested listeners a glimpse as to what the band is all about and that it does. I’ve never listened to a current band with as much soul and grit in their music as Lions For Real. Hailing from Nashville, Tennessee, the quartet made up of vocalist John Banzhoff, guitarist Andrew Adkins, bassist Kyle Blankenship, and drummer Jonathan Biggs, brings new life to rock and roll. Their unique sound is a mix of rock, funk, and soul. There are definitely hints of their southern roots in their music, making it easy to pinpoint that the band comes from Nashville.
Their debut EP Heathens shows off the extent of their talent. From Banzhoff’s gritty vocals to Blankenship’s soulful bass lines, this EP hooks you at the beginning and doesn’t release you until the last note of the last song. If Taking Back Sunday and The Black Keys had a musical love child, the result would be Lions For Real.
The first track on the album, “The Movement”, really kicks the EP off right showcasing all the great things about the band: raspy vocals, strong lead guitar riffs, and soulful bass lines. “On The Run” and “Heavy Stereo” keep the soulful rock vibe rolling and make it impossible to sit still. A soulful bass line on the third track, “It’s On”, gets the groove going and keeps listeners intrigued with added choppy vocals and rocking guitar parts. The final track and slowest of all the songs called “In This War” really exposes Banzhoff’s vocals in a way the previous songs do not.
Lions For Real embody all the qualities of a great southern rock and roll band. The grit and grime in their sound gives them an edge in the music industry. Don’t sleep on this band. They’ll be big in the blink of an eye!
Overall Rating: 4/5
Recommended Tracks: “The Movement” and “Heavy Stereo”
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