FLASHROCK OF JULY, North Hollywood

SATURDAY JULY 4, 2009

(SECOND SHOW OF THE DAY)

After we left Verdugo Don and I stopped by the studio to drop off the gear we didn't need for this show. We iced the beers and headed to FlashRock's outdoor stage.

We arrived around 7pm to a pretty small crowd but people started arriving little by little as nightfall came. As soon as we got there I bumped into my old friends ANGEL CITY OUTCASTS as they were by the bar drinkin' up a storm so I decided to join them.

XL Nessin' it up like a FlashRocker

As the crowd got thicker I stayed around the bar talking to a bunch of old friends and fans who came out to support us. In the crowd was MOJO RIB's new bassist, Kurt. Mojo Rib is Don's other band so it was nice to see his other bandmates there to support us but especially Don.

The "dirtiest" drummer at FlashRock

Around 8pm Angel City Outcasts took the stage as a 4-piece. This is the first time I've seen them with their new line-up, which at first seemed kind of sad. I miss Alex (former bassist who is now playing with OLD MAN MARKLEY) and Ryan (drummer who is also in OMM). But I do have to say that the new guys rocked it! It was good seeing them again. This is the first time I've seen them since we played with them a few years ago at the Blue Cafe in HB. I remember the night as a bummer evening because we lost our friend Larry Trammell that evening.

One word... XploStevo (I didn't say it was an easy word...)

Also there was my old friend Nikki who brought a few friends with her including the very pretty Tuesday O., a tattoo artist from Ventura. Her and I talked for a while watching ACO and then I had to excuse myself to prepare for our show. You know, makeup and whatnot take some time to put on.

Gizz Lazlo singing to an artist (Tattooist, Tuesday O.)

We took the stage a little after 9pm to a packed crowd who were really enjoying themselves by this point in the evening. I was already kinda buzzed so I didn't care what was going on behind me. I just went up and enjoyed myself but from what I was told Todd's second show was a little bit difficult but who can blame him? He only had two rehearsals with us and did a show earlier in the day.

Todd "No Nickname Yet" Guzman looking like he's on it!

All in all, it was a great day. As soon as our set was finished we hung around talking to some new-found fans and our good friend JOEY RIMICCI (Kill Detail, Jughead's Revenge and more...) We discussed where to get some dinner but instead we left the place for home around 11pm since for me it was beddy-bye time!

Joey, XL and Xplo actin' like toughguys

Thanks to everyone who came out to both shows! You guys rock!!!!

all photos by: KRISTEN BEHRENDT

VERDUGO HILLS HIGH SCHOOL, Tujunga

SATURDAY JULY 4, 2009

(FIRST SHOW OF THE DAY)

Today is the Fourth of July so the day started with a parade down Foothill Blvd. in my hometown of Sunland. I hungout with a bunch of my buddies and watched a bunch of locals promoted their causes and businesses.

Dead Lazlo's Place on stage at VHHS

Afterwards I enjoyed a nice quiet BBQ with my parent's as I prepared for today's shows drinking a few beers and eating some great home-cooked grub that only momma can make!

Gizz Lazlo on the football field for the first time since 1989

I had to drive out to Canoga Park to IKE ROBISON's house to pick up his amp so Todd, our new guitarist could play out of and then stop by the studio in NoHo to pick up Don's drums since he was getting off work a little later and wouldn't make it on time to the show if I didn't help out.

Xplo rockin' the field of dreams

Anyway, we all arrived at the our (Todd, XploStevo and I) former high school's football field. Our town throws a Fireworks Extravaganza every year and this year they asked us to perform, which is kind of ironic in two ways; this is the year of our 20th high school reunion and this is the place where I first met Todd back in 1986.

Todd Guzman making his debut on stage with DLP

We set up and in another coincidence, the soundman for the event was PAUL LUKE who Todd replaced during DLP's recording session in 2002. We started our first set of the evening at 5:30pm to a rather subdued crowd of local kids and parents arriving early for the fireworks later tonight. We played for 45 minutes and by the time we finished our set there were a bunch of people watching us including a lot of our friends from town.

XL feelin' it, Tujunga-style

As soon as we finished we had to pack up our gear and head out to our second show of the evening in NoHo for FlashRock's 2nd Annual Festival. Don and I rode together but not before we picked up some more beer for the party!

"Dirty" Don Rokken cleanin' up the joint

all photos by: KRISTI CROWN

LAZLO SOUNDS, North Hollywood

TUESDAY JUNE 30, 2009

The day finally came when we said goodbye to CHRIS "SEEDY SPITZ" DEL RIO and hello to our old friend and newest member, guitarist TODD GUZMAN. Todd has been a friend of mine since 1986, my freshman year in high school. I met Todd the first day of school in our basic math class and we hung out for the remainder of the school year in auto-shop. Maybe this is why I can't count to 21 unless I'm naked...

Anyway, Todd recorded my first serious band's (C.R.O.S.S.) first record in the summer of 1986 and we've remained close friends throughout the years. In 2002, Todd joined DEAD LAZLO'S PLACE as a replacement bassist for the "...on the side" recording sessions playing on a couple of tracks although he never did perform with us live.

Todd was also the guitarist for the 2004-2006 line-up of THE ELECTRIC FERRETS, which featured DEAD LAZLO'S PLACE / BADTOWN BOYS guitarist IKE ROBISON and myself (on drums). Todd was a member of the band, 52 who were on my label's 2003 compilation "ALLIED PUNKS INVADE: Volumes 1 & 2" double CD. A little know fact about Todd is that he was a background extra during classroom scenes shot at Verdugo Hills High School for the 1986 feature film RIVER'S EDGE starring Crispin Glover, Keanu Reeves and Dennis Hopper. This was the first major motion picture to have Slayer on the soundtrack, I believe.

Poster for River's Edge