Kalistani Major History

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Lysergamide Releases debut Record
"We wanted to focus on what's important," says singer
Vrassa City, Duchy of Vrassa
February 12, 5472


Lysergamide's Debut "Time for Change" on VDR

Happy hippy alt-folk rockers Lysergamide, released their debut album this week. The album titled "Time for Change" is dedicated to those who want peace in the world. "We hear all these rumors of war," says lead singer and primary songwriter for the band Max Harrison, 23, of Port Swedes. "And we want to focus on what's really important in this world. It's not being the big man with the big weapons and killing. It's about loving one another and getting along, and you know, like hangin out and playing some great tunes and loving your lady or man with all your heart. That's all that really matters. It really is time for a change."

Their lead single, the eponymous "Time for Change" showcases the band's acoustic chops as well as Harrison's wide vocal range. The song, about accepting changes in one's life, was written as Harrison left the NSP. "I was kind of aimless and my life didn't really have a lot of meaning. And I saw the world sort of madness. And I think I got some acid from the dispensary, and decided to eat it, and just curled up in a little ball and felt real sorry for myself. But I had this profound realization, during that night, and I wrote this song about it. And when the band got together, it was the first song I pitched."

Most of the band hails from Vrassa City where they played in various folk rock and alt-folk bands that still dominate the city's music scene. "We met Max when he sort of wandered up to our door," says bassist Don McMillan. "We were just sitting on the porch all jamming, and maybe two of us were between bands, and here comes this scrawny, half starved kid, who probably hadn't lived indoors for a while, and he asked if we could jam, and we sort of clicked." Drummer Thomas Alvarez, the last member to join said "When we got together, these guys were, well, there was kind of a clique in the band, and it was hard to join. They had more of a folk and blues background, while I played a lot of jazz. But after just kinda sorta just playing along with what they were doing, I had to learn to forget a lot of what I knew and try something new, and I think one day, we realized we had been jelling for a good while and I think that was the day we really became a band."

The quintet impressed A&R reps at VDR with their musical distinctiveness and versatility. But they almost didn't get their record recorded. "It seems a lot of folks in Vrassa get discovered playing in bars," said Harrison. "That was totally us, you know? Like playing backyard parties for friends, playing the County Fair, whatever. Playing the bar... yeah, we were given this dude's card at Gallon's, that distinguished waterin hole down over there in what's it called, uh, Red Pass or something. We were playing for beer that night, and some guy was like 'Hey you guys wanna make a record?' and we were like 'yeah whatever you know...' and we keep playing and like two weeks later that same dude called us up and was like you know, uh, 'Hey, uh... You know... Where are you guys at? You was supposed to be here like an hour ago?' and I was like all you know, like... 'where's here?' and he said Vrassa. And it was the record guy. Ain't that wild?"

The record was recorded in two weeks. The band worked with VDR producer Michelle Ward, and together they produced a 14 track alt-folk album of the band's favorite tunes. They switch between acoustic instruments, primarily guitars, harmonicas, and mandolins, and will also plug in, and play the occasional acid rock. "Most of our songs are drenched in acid," said lead guitarist Johnny Mercer. "We tend to use a lot of that. Its one of the many things that we as a band have in common. We all acid eaters, and I think the music reflects a certain outlook that is influenced by this, to say the least. However we can reproduce thoughts and the sounds and sights even that we see, we try to do that." The mix of LSD influenced alt-folk has been very well received among music buyers and the music on the album has already landed the band a performance on M7 as well as a number of Late Night programs.

"This music is a real antidote to the tension and strife that others are creating in this world," said fan Natalie Kingston, of Vrassa City. "Sometimes we just need to mellow out, put on some good tunes and just breathe, you know. Like Max says: When times are hard, you know you have to change."

"Time For Change", on VDR Records, is now out at all record stores and streaming outlets. You can watch the recent M7 Live performance of the title track, Time For Change right here.

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8NLA-D1xkY]