L to R: David Martin, Alan Thiele, Peter M. Heimlich, Ronnie Jay
and Lulu Lewis.
Photo by Michael Jang.
ABOUT
They should have been contenders. The Lloyds had everything — except for a major recording contract. Now, Liberation Hall is set to correct this historical injustice with the release of Attitude Check, a new compilation which gathers what amounts to the band’s never released debut album (nine studio tracks) alongside an additional 11 pristine live cuts captured on the band’s home turf in 1980.
From 1979-1984, the Lloyds filled venues in San Francisco and beyond. Fronted by vivacious redhead Lulu Lewis — a powerful vocalist in the tradition of Debbie Harry and Gwen Stefani — this power pop quintet was regionally famous for their energetic live shows and radio-friendly songs. In addition to Lewis, the band members that appear on Attitude Check are David Martin (lead guitar, piano, synthesizer), Ronnie Jay (guitar, harmonica), Alan Thiele (drums), Peter M. Heimlich (original bassist), and Dan DeShara (later bassist).
One of the Lloyds’ originals, “Rock and Roll What Me What I Am Today,” written by Heimlich, was later covered by Lita Ford and appears on her 1983 album, Out for Blood. The Lloyds’ version appears here in its original form.
“Their sound is a penetrating, exciting mix of ‘60s girl-group passion and ‘80s new wave attitudes, with Lulu delivering a string of superlative original tunes with a voice that would stand up in a hurricane,” Jack McDonough wrote in a 1981 Billboard live review.
MEDIA BREAKS
Rock and Roll Globe (Feature)
Steve Garland’s Hot Rock Podcast (interview)
Big Takeover Magazine (Attitude Check review)
Ugly Things Magazine (album review)
New Wave Geo Blog (Attitude Check review)
Fear & Loathing Zine / UK (Attitude Check review)
The Midlands Rocks / UK (Attitude Check review)
The Second Disc (Attitude Check review)
The Punksite / UK (Attitude Check announcement)
