PREYING LIZARD MUSIC
THE GREAT WEB COINCIDENCE
By George Petersen
THE WORLD IS FILLED WITH WAY TOO MANY COINCIDENCES and is getting smaller everyday—at least thanks to the Internet.
A couple months ago, I got home late at night and was still wired from doing a session earlier that evening. Doing a little web surfing to wind down, I decided to do a Yahoo search on some names of a couple bandmates I hadn’t seen for decades. Trouble is, if you type in a name like “Tim Walker” (a real name—where are you, Tim?) you’re gonna get a huge response that you’ll never filter through, especially when the last time you saw them was loading gear out of a club at 3:00am back in 1968, in Naples, Italy (my actual hometown).
I figured I’d start with a name less common and typed in “Bob Lewellyn” and “guitar.” Sure enough, there was one obscure reference to Bob playing lead guitar on his younger brother’s Les Lewellyn’s album and said brother has a website (www.preyinglizardmusic.com) he uses to promote his band Dixie Lizard. A quick e-mail to Les verified that was the right brother and he remembers his brother Bob’s band back in Italy: Hey, it was only 39 years ago. Score one for the web!
Going onto Les’ site, I was blown away by what this guy–singlehandedly–is doing to promote indie music. Back in 2005, he started his series of Pirate Radio Shows, with multiple three-hour streams of new, interesting music and new shows each week—a great downloadable fix for your iPod (or mobilized to your cell phone), especially for anyone who remembers what FM radio USED to be like.
Now, Les has expanded with daily and weekly podcast shows, including the Hot Sheet Mon (hard rock); The Chill Pill Show (soft-er rock); InstruMental Madness (instrumental rock); Preying Lizard Music’s Road Rash Blues Show (blues); and No Man’s Land (all-female rock performers). As a bonus, Les also includes cover art, band links and a new online reviews section. To make sure he never sleeps, he also hosts Eclectic Pod, the top-rated music podcast sponsored at www.towerpod.com (an arm of Tower Records, which after downsizing its brick and mortar empire, continues online at www.towerrecords.com).
I might have stumbled on Preying Lizard Music through odd happenstance, buy hey, there’s plenty of great unexplored new music to hear, explore and download. In these days of big-money, corporate radio, here’s somebody who’s doing it right. Check ‘em out, tune in and enjoy. Best of all, it R-O-C-K-S! Thanks, Les! www.preyinglizardmusic.com
When not working on Mix stuff, George Petersen records and performs with the SF Bay Area-based rock band ARIEL. Check ‘em out at www.jenpet.com.
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So what do YOU think?
CLICK ON THE COMMENTS LINK BELOW AND SPEAK OUT!
February 15th, 2007 @ 8:50 pm
What a great site preying lizard is! I’ve been listening to Les for sometime now. The music world needs more people like Mr. Lewellyn! Great piece on him thanks.
Jessica
February 15th, 2007 @ 9:03 pm
Les runs a hell of a show!
Great stuff!
Cheers! M I L K
February 15th, 2007 @ 11:11 pm
Les’ shows do rock! He whole heartedly supports independent musicans!
February 15th, 2007 @ 11:13 pm
Preying Lizard is the shiznit for indie and major artists alike. Les has had our band on his shows many times and I can honestly say he is one of the most sincere and helpful people I’ve bumped into in this *ehmmm* industry. He puts a ton of effort into putting out high quality podcasts and being a huge fan as well as an artist I’ve discovered a lot of bands from the Preying Lizard podcasts. Rock on Les!
Robert - Another Black Season
February 15th, 2007 @ 11:18 pm
If it wasn’t for guys like Les, the music industry would have no future. He’s in it because he lives and breathes bands and songs. As an indie artist, the road to success is virtually impossible, often it seems as if there’s no hope, and you wonder why you even bother, and then you stumble on to a guy like Les, and he’s actually taken the time to hear your stuff, and he gets it, and he wants to help, and you realize, there’s still hope for the industry, and what you do might have some value…so you keep playing and writing and recording…
February 15th, 2007 @ 11:18 pm
Les really deserves this recognition. He is doing so much for indie bands, like KROQ used to do in the 80’s. He himself loves alot of different music like we all do, but decided to host this show so musicians could be heard, and the listeners can appreciate. As mentioned in the article there are several different shows with different themes to choose from, I happen to like them all.
Thank you Les, for bringing a bit of good old fashioned consideration, airplay and hope for all indie bands that did’nt have to get on their knees!
Peace,
Rin Lennon
February 15th, 2007 @ 11:55 pm
Thanks for writing this. Preying Lizard is great, and it’s encouraging to see people not only paying lip-service to independent music, but actually doing something about it (and writing about them).
February 16th, 2007 @ 12:04 am
Hey, the preyin’ Lizard leaves all here in Nashville prayin’ for more stations like his…
February 16th, 2007 @ 2:25 am
It’s great to see someone like Les Lewellyn receive credit for his tireless work to promote indie music via the internet. I’m a huge fan of the Preying Lizard/Pirate Radio podcasts, and have been fortunate to have had a song or two featured in previous broadcasts. As an independent musician, I appreciate the work that Les has done. As a music lover, I’m equally thankful for the great music I’ve discovered by checking out his weekly shows. I also dig his band, Dixie Lizard.
Anyway, I stumbled across this blog & when I saw Les Lewellyn’s name, I just had to leave a comment. He’s a great guy with a great heart, and has a keen ear for hot undiscovered music.
Gray Martin
February 16th, 2007 @ 5:08 am
Les Lewellyn is a Super Dude for the work and support he offers us indie artists and music lovers!
The man deserves a knighthood!
PREYING LIZARD MUSIC-THE HOME OF PODCAST PERFECTION!
Mitch
February 16th, 2007 @ 11:41 pm
I met Les about a year ago through Music Submit.
And soon after he started playing my tunes on his Road Rash Show.Which I greatly appreciate to this day.That definitely got me some online exposure and sold a few CD’s at the same time.
Les has been a big help to me since we began our friendship. He also helped me get my own radio/podcast show up and running and walked me through the entire process. www.markkerrltd.com/bluesnation.htm
Not to mention helping me keep my website together
Les is a very genuine dude and good friend.
And a huge supporter of indie music from A to Z.
He deserves to be in the number one slot on the major search engines, (AND HE IS !)
Be sure and check out Les’s solo CD.
Many thanks Les,
Your friend,
Mark Kerr
www.markkerrltd.com/bluesnation.htm
February 17th, 2007 @ 1:45 am
Thanks George for taking the time to write up your support of Preying Lizard! People like Les and his work make the indie world go around. His show has helped so many people and I’m so grateful to see your kind words as well. Its a pleasure to be part of it. More power to the Lizard! Stacey Board
February 17th, 2007 @ 10:58 am
All I can say is Les is an extraordinary human. You don’t find too many people out there with the talent and passion he has. What Les has done for indie music should be an example to the entire pathetic industry - He is truly a pioneer!Thanks Les
February 17th, 2007 @ 2:19 pm
Thank you so much for this wonderful article on one of the greatest guys out there supporting independent musicians. As an independent artist - singer/songwriter I met Les through Music Submit. He was one of the first stations playing my work and I quickly came to realize what an awesome human being he is.
Les works day and night to put out the top shows….whether it’s Rock or Instrumental, chill or a show only dedicated to woman ‘No Man’s Land.” He does great shows and has exposed the world to many independent and talented artists.
I highly recommend subscribing…it is the coolest thing in the world to wake up in the morning and have literally HOURS of the coolest tracks online.
Besides this amazing feat, he has his own band and a new CD release and is a wonderful musician / singer / songwriter. He desrves all the success in the world and I am honored to call him my friend.
Excellent choice for a review. Thank you.
Kara Johnstad
February 18th, 2007 @ 5:32 pm
In an everlasting hunt to be heard on cool venues I was taken in by the realness of Pirate Radio, Preying Lizards and Les Lewellyn. I remember staring at my computer screen for a few minutes wondering “is this guy for real?” Because he is devoted to music and to getting it out to be heard. Consqeuntly he is more popular than all the wannabes that try to ensure that you have a link to their site or they won’t play you blah blah blah…
The fire that burns in Les is to be found only once in a great while…
THANK YOU!!
David Alyassin of Racecar
February 19th, 2007 @ 8:17 am
Just to add my name what has already been posted… that Les does a fantastic job promoting music by independent musicians!
Cheers Les!
- GlynB
February 19th, 2007 @ 1:45 pm
I agree with all of the above. Les has been very good to our band, and countless other indie artists, and given us inspiration to carry on doing what we love doing. Hats off for Les!
Tarjei, Lost at Last.
February 19th, 2007 @ 4:54 pm
Hey George….cool article on coincidences, and the great Les Lewellyn. He’s been playing our music, and we have been mutual supporters for a long time now. He’s an incredible man.
Kerry of Sonic Bliss
www.myspace.com/sonicblis
February 19th, 2007 @ 5:46 pm
We’re proud to regularly appear on the Hot Sheet Mon show. The exposure is wonderful, and Les has a great thing going. Best of luck Les!
February 22nd, 2007 @ 12:59 am
George, thanks so much for finding Les and writing about him. He so deserves the accolades.
I met Les via the internet and i truly consider him an inspiration, a support, and a friend - musically, emotionally, whole-heartedly. He has done so much for independent artists and all kinds of music - he gets it out there to be appreciated!
It’s apparent so many appreciate him and the music he is championing - so i’m thrilled you’re giving so many more people a chance to find out what amazing shows he puts together, how dedicated he is, and what killer music he writes and produces as well!
Les is a musical mensch.
Great piece - thanks again,
beth wimmer
March 2nd, 2007 @ 12:11 pm
Great project, thanx. Dixie Lizard rocks! Really appreciate your review!Always search the web for cool music.2 unlimited mp3 is a site where one can compile perfect playlists.
March 3rd, 2007 @ 3:39 pm
George, excellent article about Les. He Is doing wonders for the indie people out there who need and outlet for their music which most likey woudn’t be heard. And our band (wwwtheplasticfruit.com shameless plug!)is one of them. The first time Les played one of our songs on the Hot Sheet Mon show, the response was great, from all over the planet! Rock it George! Thanks for recognizing Les, and ROCK IT LES!
April 13th, 2007 @ 1:16 am
L’information interessante que vous avez! I’am allant revenir bientot.
REPLY FROM GEORGE: Merci ! Je suis heureux vous ai plaisir à lire ces derniers.
April 13th, 2007 @ 1:25 pm
les lewellyn strikes a blow, on a daily basis, to revive real radio. if you are tired of the status quo of today’s radio, then support independents who are tryin’ to do the real deal and doing it right
April 13th, 2007 @ 1:33 pm
I’m agree’n with you on that les lewellen fellow at preying lizard, what a great spokesman for indie-artists everywhere, thanks for noticing him and his work.
best to you also
Razzor