www.facebook.com/LakiusBand
From: New Zealand
Sounds like: Post Industrial/Groove Metal
1. How did you get started with music and how did you develop your sound? Who thought of the name "Lakius" and is there any meaning behind it?
Caz -. I started playing in Alternative Rock bands with a number of failures. Drove bass guitar for ‘Sairalei’ for 4 years I think with some cool touring and releases. I played with the Raven brothers for a while in an Indie Rock band ‘Tegan’, those Ravens have recently been killing the Rock scene with vocalist Ditty in their band ‘Coridian’. I suppose I’ve been surrounded by amazing musicians on a social level for most of my adult life which has been a huge influence.
I met Tony auditioning for Lakius as a bass player, we got a mean set ready with our drummer, two years into it then covid hit, we got separated by distance during lockdown. Tony and I decided to carry on with a format that couldn't be broken, leaning into a more Industrial sound and writing process. "This Tension" was the result, writing/fighting , tracking, mixing, mastering all over devices…. the rest is history really. Tony was the founder of ‘Broken Season’,among other projects, they were very prevalent in the scene here in the Nu Metal era. I think he’d say he started with a piano that was bought for him as a kid …wrote the first piece,and has never stopped! He’s a big EVH guy and a proper guitar player, it's rubbed off on me!
The name Lakius stems from the most precious item you own, destroyed and rebuilt.
2. What do you want people to take away from your music?
Most of the content lyrically touches aggressive topics, although it's more cautionary tales or past experiences that drive that side of things. We don't believe it needs to have all the dark undertones/imagery usually associated with Metal. It's life experiences seen through a balanced calm lens haha, but the aggression is certainly there when we are doing our thing!
3. How would you describe your sound to the average listener?
Probably an Industrial Metal feel, fairly GO GO GO. Modern Metal at its core, but the root influences are obvious I’d say.
4. Who are three bands you’d like to tour with?
Can't answer for Tony but mine are: Static X Regeneration, love that Waynes memory is carried on by his mates! Massive influence for me from Wisconsin Death Trip and everything after that record. Limp Bizkit, Wes B - say no more. Coridian https://coridian.wixsite.com/coridiannz and Mothra https://mothraband.com my New Zealand brothers!
5. How has Covid affected what you do?
We got separated by distance during lockdown. Tony and I decided to carry on with a format that couldn't be broken, leaning into a more Industrial sound and writing process. "This Tension" was the result, writing/fighting, tracking, mixing, mastering all over devices. No venues open, limited access, etc when they were open, it shut doors everywhere. Glad everything's cranking again, but we lost a lot of central Auckland venues. The rest of New Zealand's live venues got hit hard as well. Valhalla https://www.valhallatavern.com and https://www.dingdongloungenz.com kept on trucking !
6. What’s your take on the current state of Post Industrial/Groove Metal?
Hmm, it's present in new music, I don't think it's something that bands are flagging, those core influences are definitely there. I mean Groove Metal….? Who would you say was relevant? Post Industrial Metal? Who would you say was relevant? Shitloads I reckon. There's a lot of music coming out with those elements very obviously entrenched. It's alive and well I guess is my answer haha.
7. What's the current music scene like there in New Zealand?
Yeah it's alive, Covid slayed heaps of fun for all , NZ has got some decent acts heading over. My biggest happy place comes from the locally based acts back into live venues, the live venues that are still pouring beers and turning it up loud for everyone that shows up!
8. What’s your take on the royalties that streaming services pay out to artists?
I reckon it's rubbish, but it is what it is right.
9. What's next for Lakius?
Yeah ‘Machines and Empathy ‘, and a rewrite of ‘Hammer Of Witches’ is getting close to release, live shows, a lazy EP.
10. Any shoutouts?
Your team has done great work for us!
Zorran Mendonsa Productions https://www.facebook.com/ZorranSound production, everything to the polished releases.
Rock Factory- Michelle - live/studio sound setup and tech support. https://www.therockfactory.net
Local Band Smokeout for pushing our music to the US Canada and Australia https://www.twitch.tv/localbandsmokeout
Roger at Music Planet for all our gear purchases ,repairs etc ENGLE, IBANEZ, CHAPMAN https://www.musicplanet.co.nz
