When you think of queer music the sounds of disco house or super candy pop probably come to mind, but local duo Lionizer are a confirmed queer band who have been building up a steady following in the indie scene over the last six months.
Vez Litten and Bailey Lions met through mutual friends and after playing in a variety of local bands, the pair decided to set out on their own as a two piece. While the pair acknowledges there are some advantages to being a two piece, such as it’s easier to get together for rehearsals, there are also some distinct disadvantages.
‘We’ve been put on a couple of bills with other two pieces,’ says Lions, rolling their eyes. ‘The thing that sucks most though, is you don’t get the full two jug rider,’ says Litten, ‘so sometimes we pretend there are three of us.’
Litten plays the guitar and sings, while Lions plays the drums and has started tackling backing vocals. Lions says she admires drummers who can carry the bass line of a tune. ‘We try to be as big as we can with two people while still being catchy and fun’ said Lions.
The bands debut single A Song For A Cat Named Max will be launched next month. Litten explains the songs inspiration, ‘It draws on a lot of influence from my past relationships. I have a habit of getting a girlfriend and then getting a cat. So it’s about having to leave that cat when you leave the relationship.’ Litten jokes, noting that her friends have started commenting that she has a pattern, when the cat arrives: the relationship is nearing its end. ‘But on a serious level’, Litten says, ‘It’s about the leaving a relationship and the ties you still have.’
In the meantime Lionizer are honing their skills playing a couple a gigs a week around the local pub circuit. Check out local gig guides to catch them live.
Lionizer will be launching their debut single in March.
Graeme Watson
