Metallers gear up for Big Day Out

BY JOCELYN REIN

The Big Day Out is coming and Lord of Tigers is getting ready to roar - literally.

The three-piece metal outfit only formed at the beginning of this year and are already set to take the stage at the country's longest running and largest music festival on January 15.

But they are far from beginners with members hailing from local outfits Sommerset, Luger Boa, Cobra Khan and The WBC.

Ryan Thomas, Milon Williams and Anthony Davies describe their sound as a visceral experience, rather than being about individual sounds.

"I think our audience is more sonically engulfed by it," says Milon.

"Maybe it's a breath of fresh air for some people."

"It's more about your first instincts and how you felt about hearing us or seeing us," says Ryan.

The band got together when lead man, guitarist and vocalist Ryan met Anthony who was drumming in ska group The WBC.

Avondale resident Ryan, who had recently acquired a guitar effects pedal called the polyphonic octave generator, says he was so taken with it he was inspired to form a band almost for the sole purpose of using it at high volume.

He had played with Milon in popular punk rock act Sommerset before the band broke up in 2005 and so the bass player became Lord of Tigers' third member.

Milon, also a member of Cobra Khan, says having side projects is important.

"It's good to even it out and keep your avenues pretty broad," he says.

Having fulltime jobs and responsibilities to their different, respective bands doesn't leave a lot of time for rehearsals.

But they say the time they do get together is about quality not quantity.

"We practise once a month if we're lucky," says Anthony.

"But we're all pretty hard workers."

Milon says their work in rehearsals seems to retain itself pretty well.

"We've probably played live more than we've practised."

Ryan says being asked to play at this Big Day Out was an unexpected but pleasant surprise.

Both Big Day Out veterans, Milon and Ryan say their performance on the day can vary a lot.

"There are so many factors involved - your time slot, how you're feeling," says Milon.

And when they're not on stage, they'll be heading to see fellow metallers Mastadon and the Mars Volta.

Lord of Tigers is on at 6pm at the Big Day Out on January 15, Mt Smart Stadium.

- The Auckland City Harbour News has two Big Day Out prizes to give away, each including a ticket and an artist CD.

Entrants can choose between Minuit: Find me before I die a lonely death.com or Kasabian: West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum.

To go in the draw to win a prize pack, email your name, address, daytime phone number and album preference to the Big Day Out competition, Private Bag 56910, Dominion Rd, Mt Eden, Auckland 1446.

Entries close at noon on January 8.

- © Fairfax NZ News