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Lionz, which has been touring the east coast for more than six years, recently returned home after headlining a festival at the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach for the second year in a row. Lionz—coming off the recent release of its debut album, Stranger Things Have Happened—is continually writing new originals and adding works from new musical influences to its repertoire.
The band members—who each boast 15 years of experience playing at large venues, festivals, and bars—have been playing music with each other for more than ten years in different conglomerations. The right mix finally came together and became what is now known as Lionz. Leading the way on drums are Mike Strickland (Field Trip/Soup Kitchen) and Nate Hale (Cosmic Charlie/SVA). On bass guitar is Clint Swords (Betsy Frank/Soul Kitchen). The already legendary Daniel Marler (Field Trip/Marler Brothers) and Damian Kapcala (Fiasco/Field Trip/Thelonious) share the instrumental leads on guitar and keyboards. The band is fronted by singer/lyricist Jefferson Taffet (Brother Boldt and The Shamans).
Lionz is anxious to get back into the studio to work once again with producer David Barbe (Drive by Truckers/Blueground Undergrass/Sugar). Lionz has been featured on several radio programs during 2006 and has won two Athens Flagpole Music Awards. Recently Lionz was nominated for two other awards—best lead guitarist and best rhythm section—by Georgia radio station Z97. Previous well-known guests have included Reverend Jeff Mosier (Blueground Undergrass), Dave Blackmon (frequent Widespread Panic guest), and the late blues legend Neil Pattman.
LIONZ
is....
Nate Hale: Drums/Percussion
Damian Kapcala: Keyboards/Vocals
Daniel Marler: Lead Guitar/Vocals
Mike Strickland: Drums
Clint Swords: Bass/Vocals
Jefferson Taffet: Lead Vocals
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Nate Hale, Drums/Percussion
Born and Raised
New Holland, PA in a farming area surrounded by the Amish community
First Musical Love or Experience
Frank Zappa, Shut Up and Play Your Guitar
First Impressions and Instincts with Lionz
I was and am very excited about the endless potential because of the high caliber of talent that has come together.
Most Powerful or Inspiring Musical Influence
Frank Zappa
Greatest Achievement/Most Memorable Moment
My greatest musical achievement was playing the main stage at the Oregon County Fair in front of over 4,000 people, where Mark Karan from RatDog sat in with my other band, Cosmic Charlie.
What Makes Me Stand Out From The Crowd
The way I relate to people on and off the stage
Hardest Challenge Ever Faced
Being patient
Dream Venue
Fox Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia
My Favorite Artist
Thelonious Monk
What Makes Lionz Different From Other Bands
The sheer camaraderie of brothers shows on stage. The power of direction, looseness and emotion is something I’m blessed to be a part of.
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Damian Kapcala, Keyboards/Vocals
Born and Raised
My name is Damian Leonard Kapcala, also known as Kaps, the Viking, Frozen Pizza, Kopkilla, and Yoda. I entered this world on March 3, 1977, in Cleveland Ohio. I’ve spent the majority of my childhood years in the Northeast, including Boston, Cleveland, and Columbia, Maryland.
First Musical Love or Experience
Music has always flowed through my families’ veins. My grandfather, Peter, has an incredible voice, especially in the low range. My father, Len, plays piano, accordion and saxophone. My mother, Mary Ann, and sister, Julie, both play the piano as well. I’ve always tickled the ivories, yet I’ve learned to dabble with many other various instruments. During family gatherings, our family would always gather around the piano and sing and dance to our hearts’ desires, until all of the “spirits” have vanished....
First Impressions and Instincts with Lionz
Prior to the formation of Lionz, we played as Lions from Zion, which has included some of Athens finest musicians over the years. This band thrived on covers. Lionz formed after we solidified our “pride”. My initial instinct of Lionz was that we were a group of very talented musicians that needed some focus and direction. Now we have that.
Most Powerful or Inspiring Musical Influence
I have many musical influences, some of whom include: Chopin, Tchaikovsky, the “Duke”, “Fats” Waller, Art Tatum, the Dead, Phish, the Allman Brothers, Marley, Miles, Coltrane, and Johann Sebastian Bach.
Greatest Achievement/Most Memorable Moment
One of my greatest achievements was graduating from the University of San Diego with a 3.5 GPA. Some of my most memorable moments include traveling through Europe with my family and observing the most heavenly sunrise ever last Halloween with “Her”.
What Makes Me Stand Out From The Crowd
Having my sexy girlfriend bring me a drink makes me stand out from the crowd.
Hardest Challenge Ever Faced
One of my most difficult challenges I’ve ever faced was playing Gerschwin’s “Porgy and Bess” as a duet my senior year of college. I’m talking 44 pages of Schpain!!!
Dream Venue
Slane Castle or Merriweather Post Pavilion
What Makes Lionz Different From Other Bands
Lionz is different from other bands in that we take pride in our pride, and we’re not afraid to move in for the kill when hunger strikes.
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Daniel Marler, Lead Guitar/Vocals
Born and Raised
Opelika, Alabama
First Musical Love or Experience
My Family was deep-rooted in the form of gospel music called “Sacred Harp” and from the time I was an infant every family get-together that took place would eventually end up with everyone crowded around the piano discussing who would take which harmony and which additional instrument would be played. After enough time we would incorporate several songs by the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and other non-gospel artists.
First Impressions and Instincts with Lionz
The first impressions I had of Lionz was that it was going to be a chance to play with some really good musicians and make some like-minded friends in the process.
Most Powerful or Inspiring Musical Influence
Jane’s Addiction, The Beatles, Sly and the Family Stone, The Rolling Stones, Jon Coltrane, George Benson, Fugazi, Jon Lee Hooker, Sonic Youth, Jimi Hendrix, Morphine, Miles Davis, Steve Vai’, Van Morrison, Skip James, Prince, Jasper and the Prodigal Sons, Jerry Garcia, The Pixies, Jimmy Herring, Dylan, Marley
Greatest Achievement/Most Memorable Moment
A full scholarship to pay for my college, just for playing guitar in the school’s jazz band. LBW. My most memorable moment is the morning that my Alien mother and father decided to leave me on this earth while crossing the galaxy in order to relive the wild and crazy days of their youth on the outer limits.
What Makes Me Stand Out From The Crowd
The thing that makes me stand out in a crowd is that I am sitting down.
Hardest Challenge Ever Faced
The Hardest challenge that I have ever faced is trying not to hate the cops.
Dream Venue
The first New Orleans Jazz Festival following her glorious comeback from Katrina.
My Favorite Artist
Johnny Cash
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Clint Swords, Bass Guitar
Born and Raised
I was born on the Halloween of 1976 in Decatur, Georgia. I was raised there until I was seven or eight, and then relocated to a town called Snellville, where I stayed through high school and beyond. I moved to Athens, Georgia during the summer of 1999 and am very proud to call it home.
First Musical Love or Experience
My first musical experience was listening to 8 track tapes such as The Allman Brothers, ARS, Marshall Tucker Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and the Steve Miller B very loudly in my dad's Monte Carlo. My first favorite was probably Michael Jackson because he was all over this new cable channel called MTV. They played music videos and Michael Jackson's were just incredible. I don't know whatever happened to that channel.
First Impressions and Instincts with Lionz
These guys can get down! I am part of Lionz always.
Most Powerful or Inspiring Musical Influence
LED ZEPPELIN- they are so powerful. BOB MARLEY- he's inspiring.
Greatest Achievement/Most Memorable Moment
Playing Elvis Presley in high school and getting lots of laughs from friends and teachers. It really was hilarious.
What Makes Me Stand Out From The Crowd
I can't answer that one. Someone else can tell you.
Hardest Challenge Ever Faced
I can't answer that one. Someone else can tell you.
Dream Venue
I'd love to play SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE and be in one of the sketches
What Makes Lionz Different From Other Bands
The ability to take it all the way with no limits or boundaries
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Jefferson Taffet, Lead Vocals
Born and Raised
Born in Arizona; raised all over the world (my father was an Air Force fighter pilot)
First Musical Love or Experience
My mom singing nursery rhymes
First Impressions and Instincts with Lionz
'The search is over' was my first impression with the lineup we have now
Most Powerful or Inspiring Musical Influence
Any person or band that is inspiring to me has influenced me. To name THE most powerful is impossible but some of my personal favorites are The Doors, The Grateful Dead, Widespread Panic, Bob Marley, all great blues musicians, Ben Harper, U2, The Allman Brothers, Pink Floyd...
Greatest Achievement/Most Memorable Moment
Remaining alive and having great friends. Most memorable moment would be too blurry and too illegal to repeat.
What Makes Me Stand Out From The Crowd
You’ll have to ask the crowd
Hardest Challenge Ever Faced
Remaining peaceful and calm during moments of adversity
Dream Venue
Red Rocks in Colorado and Bonnaroo
If I Could Have Any Musician Be a fan Of Lionz, it would be...
It would be an honor for any musician to appreciate Lionz
What Makes Lionz Different From Other Bands
Lionz is a band of leaders, who are extremely individualized, both on and off the stage. Lionz is influenced by so many different experiences and sounds since we are open to each other’s personal influences.
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Lionz' Music
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