Meet Lazzy Lung's Allan, Patrick, Imad and Hadi: the self proclaimed Lebanon's New Rock Alternative. With a debut album launch this Saturday, they're throwing away the release party with their fellow friends and musicians, Fareeq el Attrash, Ziad Nawfal and 4Teeth Minimum. Time Out Beirut's Nazih Fares got the chance to talk to them.


What’s you new album about?
 
Allan: ‘Strange Places’ consists of songs about parts of my life over a ten year period. The ‘concept’ is about a journeying 20-something and all the complications that come along with leaving what is familiar and embracing change in a new place and time. Everything from starting a new work life to dealing with long distance relationships.
 
Hadi: It’s about going back and forth between Canada, the US and Lebanon, and different kinds of different situations we go through in life: in relationships, brake ups, jobs, school, drama, scary, weird things and such.
 
What are your influences?
 
Allan: I grew up on a lot of alternative-rock bands as kid as most people did in the late 1980s and early 1990s –  listening to all the Big names and mainstream whatevers. But musically I think I’ve grown to like a lot of styles I wouldn't normally have listened to for sure – bands like Ohbijou, Caribou, Best Coast and Winter Gloves. If you haven’t heard of them you really should.
 
Patrick: Um, I think it’s hard to really talk about influences. I know individually all four of us have our tastes and that gets represented in our playing and writing together. We are just lucky that it all seemed to blend well nicely.
 
How was Lazzy Lung born?
 
Allan: I came to Lebanon with a bunch of songs already ready. I poked around hangouts here and there, scoping out younger talent. Younger dudes, generally speaking, are easier to work with as they have more free time and less ego, I met former Lazzy Lung Bassist [Ian Massry], who eventually crossed paths with Patrick. Patrick and I started to learn my songs and eventually we got a drummer by the name of Nader Naim who helped us get a couple of gigs, most memorably ‘City Summer Heat 09’.
 
Imad: All I recall is Allan busting his ass all over town trying to get his band going. I was yet to join the band, all it took really was one gig and Lazzy Lung was all over town – it was great to witness, and even better to eventually take part of it.
 
Any preference in the local rock scene? What band do you think have potential?
 
Allan: What rock scene? There is a big metal scene like Tristmoon and Element 26, which have wicked potential. Then you have your cover bands and other alternative groups like Zeid and the Wings, Mashrou' Leila who already are well established. But there have been some cool bands that we have shared the stage with like 4teeth Minimum, who are opening for us at our release party. They have a really solid sound and are all well seasoned musicians so you can probably expect a lot from them.
 
Patrick: Lebanon has a very, unheard of, yet unique underground scene. When it comes to independent rock music. There are a lot of great bands that we have been lucky enough to share a stage with. Bands like Zied and The Wings, The Incompetents, 4teeth minimum, Banana Sandwich, are all great examples.
 
What are your plans for the future?
 
Hadi: Get bigger and bigger till we reach the end of the universe.
 
People think you’re funny on stage, more like a singing comedian or sometimes crossing the line with your jokes. Any comment?
 
Allan, Patrick: We definitely have a different sense of humour than most, and truth be told you can pretty much get away with murder while on stage.
 
Hadi: Our job is to entertain you, and comedy happens to be a great form of entertainment along side with our delicious music.
 
Any surprise for the album release party?
 
Allan: Perhaps. We’ve got some new tracks here and there that have never been played in front of a live audience.
 
Hadi: Expect a lot of awesomeness.
 
Patrick: We plan to perform naked.
 
 
The release party is on Oct 23. Tickets to the are sold at Al Madina Theatre 01 753011 or at Ants 03 184211