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LIONZ has been touring for 10 years and has headlined many large venues and festivals including Harvesting the Jam at The House of Blues in Myrtle Beach and Atlantic City. Immediately after releasing their commercially successful debut album, Stranger Things Have Happened, LIONZ began writing and recording new originals. The critically acclaimed Breaking Out of the Zoo was released January 1, 2010.
The band members have been playing music with each other for more than fifteen years in different conglomerations. The right mix finally came together and became what is now known as LIONZ. Leading the way on drums and bass is one of Athens, Georgia's tightest rhythm sections, Mike Strickland and Clint Swords. The already legendary Daniel Marler and Damian Kapcala share the instrumental leads on guitar and keyboards. The band is fronted by singer/lyricist Jefferson Taffet, whose voice is frequently favorably compared to the late, great Jim Morrison.
Lionz has worked with Grammy Award winning producer David Barbe (Drive by Truckers/Sugar). LIONZ has been featured on several radio programs and has won two Athens, Georgia Flagpole Music Awards. LIONZ was nominated for best lead guitarist and best rhythm section by the Georgia radio station Z97. Previous well-known guests have included Reverend Jeff Mosier (Blueground Undergrass), Dave Blackmon (frequent Widespread Panic guest), and the late blues legend Neil Pattman. Lionz opened up all three Widespread Panic Shows at The Athens Classic Center in 2007.
Past LIONZ (Lions From Zion) Members: Chris Cates (Parakeet Nelson, Chris Cates), Dave Brockway (Day By the River, Parakeet Nelson), Nate Hale (SVA, Cosmic Charlie, Boo Ray & The Bad Beat Kings), Erin Young, AJ Hancock (Krill), Mike Elam (Phallic Phungus, Parakeet Nelson, Brother Boldt & The Shamans) Robert Herndon (Krill), Stephen Spivey (Tishamingo, Heidi Hensley, Justin Brogdon, Snap), Jon Joiner (Moonshine Still, Stokeswood), Preston Wilbur, Chris Hampton, Jesse ‘Soul’ Cole (The Goods, Bishop Don), John Wayne (Don’t Know, Soul Kitchen)
Past LIONZ (Lions From Zion) Guests: Neil Patman, Reverend Jeff Mosier (Blue ground undergrass, little green chairs), Dave Blackmon (blue ground undergrass, wp guest, Krill ), Danny Esposito (Neil Patman, Alien Child), Jason Fuller (King Daddy Zeb, Ween, Kinchafoonee Cowboys, Diana Degarmo, S), Carlton Owens (Squat, Don’t Know, Santana Tribute, Nathan Sheppard), AJ Adams (Kinchafoonee Cowboys), Seth Hendershot (Fuzzy Sprouts) Bentley Rhodes (Bloodkin), Jason Crawford (The Usual Suspects), Drew Marler (Bros. Marler, Walking for Days, Sursie,) Wilma, Gary Hartle (Parakeet Nelson, Fung Shui), Nathan Sheppard, Shank, Brian Crum, Will Clay (Field Trip), Nate Jones (Field Trip, Liquid Sundrop), John Wetherarld, Geary Smith, Wade Hester (Widespread guest), Dave Herndon, Clarence Cameron (Don’t Know), Adam Poulin, Betsy Franck, Mary Jane Schwabb (Shitty Candy & The Circus Peanuts), Chris Nace (SVA), Taylor Arnall (Another Fiasco), Gary Kellam, Cane Stanley (Cosmic Charlie), Michael Wegner (Cosmic Charlie), Chris Costigan (The Heap, Gunnison), Alvetta Newby-Jones (Entropy), Paul Karjian (Lefty Hathaway Band)
LIONZ
is....
Damian Kapcala: Keyboards/Vocals
Daniel Marler: Lead Guitar/Vocals
Mike Strickland: Drums/Percussion
Clint Swords: Bass/Vocals
Jefferson Taffet: Lead Vocals
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Damian Kapcala, Keyboards/Vocals
Born and Raised
My name is Damian Leonard Kapcala, also known as Kaps, the Viking, Frozen Pizza, Kopkilla, and Yoda. I entered this world on March 3, 1977, in Cleveland Ohio. I’ve spent the majority of my childhood years in the Northeast, including Boston, Cleveland, and Columbia, Maryland.
First Musical Love or Experience
Music has always flowed through my families’ veins. My grandfather, Peter, has an incredible voice, especially in the low range. My father, Len, plays piano, accordion and saxophone. My mother, Mary Ann, and sister, Julie, both play the piano as well. I’ve always tickled the ivories, yet I’ve learned to dabble with many other various instruments. During family gatherings, our family would always gather around the piano and sing and dance to our hearts’ desires, until all of the “spirits” have vanished....
First Impressions and Instincts with Lionz
Prior to the formation of Lionz, we played as Lions from Zion, which has included some of Athens finest musicians over the years. This band thrived on covers. Lionz formed after we solidified our “pride”. My initial instinct of Lionz was that we were a group of very talented musicians that needed some focus and direction. Now we have that.
Most Powerful or Inspiring Musical Influence
I have many musical influences, some of whom include: Chopin, Tchaikovsky, the “Duke”, “Fats” Waller, Art Tatum, the Dead, Phish, the Allman Brothers, Marley, Miles, Coltrane, and Johann Sebastian Bach.
Greatest Achievement/Most Memorable Moment
One of my greatest achievements was graduating from the University of San Diego with a 3.5 GPA. Some of my most memorable moments include traveling through Europe with my family and observing the most heavenly sunrise ever last Halloween with “Her”.
What Makes Me Stand Out From The Crowd
Having my sexy girlfriend bring me a drink makes me stand out from the crowd.
Hardest Challenge Ever Faced
One of my most difficult challenges I’ve ever faced was playing Gerschwin’s “Porgy and Bess” as a duet my senior year of college. I’m talking 44 pages of Schpain!!!
Dream Venue
Slane Castle or Merriweather Post Pavilion
What Makes Lionz Different From Other Bands
Lionz is different from other bands in that we take pride in our pride, and we’re not afraid to move in for the kill when hunger strikes.
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Daniel Marler, Lead Guitar/Vocals
Born and Raised
Opelika, Alabama
First Musical Love or Experience
My Family was deep-rooted in the form of gospel music called “Sacred Harp” and from the time I was an infant every family get-together that took place would eventually end up with everyone crowded around the piano discussing who would take which harmony and which additional instrument would be played. After enough time we would incorporate several songs by the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and other non-gospel artists.
First Impressions and Instincts with Lionz
The first impressions I had of Lionz was that it was going to be a chance to play with some really good musicians and make some like-minded friends in the process.
Most Powerful or Inspiring Musical Influence
Jane’s Addiction, The Beatles, Sly and the Family Stone, The Rolling Stones, Jon Coltrane, George Benson, Fugazi, Jon Lee Hooker, Sonic Youth, Jimi Hendrix, Morphine, Miles Davis, Steve Vai’, Van Morrison, Skip James, Prince, Jasper and the Prodigal Sons, Jerry Garcia, The Pixies, Jimmy Herring, Dylan, Marley
Greatest Achievement/Most Memorable Moment
A full scholarship to pay for my college, just for playing guitar in the school’s jazz band. LBW. My most memorable moment is the morning that my Alien mother and father decided to leave me on this earth while crossing the galaxy in order to relive the wild and crazy days of their youth on the outer limits.
What Makes Me Stand Out From The Crowd
The thing that makes me stand out in a crowd is that I am sitting down.
Hardest Challenge Ever Faced
The Hardest challenge that I have ever faced is trying not to hate the cops.
Dream Venue
The first New Orleans Jazz Festival following her glorious comeback from Katrina.
My Favorite Artist
Johnny Cash
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Mike Strickland, Drums/Percussion
Born and Raised
BORN AND RAISED IN A LITTLE TOWN IN SOUTH ALABAMA CALLED "LUVERNE"
First Musical Love or Experience
8 TRACKS OF CHARLIE DANIELS BAND,EAGLES,DON WILLIAMS,POCO,PABLO CRUISE,WILLIE NELSON GOT ME STOMPING MY FEET OH AND I CAN'T FORGET THE DOOBIE BROTHERS AND JAMES BROWN
First Impressions and Instincts with Lionz
PLAYING WITH LIONZ THE FIRST TIME HAPPENED ON A SIT IN GIG IN COLUMBUS, GA HAVING PLAYING WITH DANIEL MARLER IN JR COLLEGE I NEW IT HAD TO BE GOOD
Most Powerful or Inspiring Musical Influence
LED ZEPPELIN STRUCK MY EARS AND JOHN BONHAMS DRUMMING HAD ME FOREVER /// BILLY COBHAM HAS HAD A GREAT INFLUENCE ON ME TOO BECAUSE OF HIS AMAZING DRUMMING TECHNIQUES
Greatest Achievement/Most Memorable Moment
GETTING A FULL PAID SCHOLARSHIP TO COLLEGE TO PLAY IN A JAZZ ENSEMBLE FOR 2 YRS/// BEING BLESSED TO BE A MUSICIAN
What Makes Me Stand Out From The Crowd
FRIENDLY BUT DON'T PUSH MY BUTTON THE WRONG WAY OR I WILL PUT A ALABAMA ASS WHOOPIN ON YA // TELL IT LIKE IT IS ATTITUDE
Hardest Challenge Ever Faced
BEING AN UNDISCOVERED MUSICIAN OF WILL AND POWER
Dream Venue
THERE ARE TOO MANY TO LIST// AUSTIN CITY LIMITS WOULD BE NICE OR NEW ORLEANS JAZZ FESTIVAL
If I Could Have any Musician be a Fan of Lionz, It Would Be
GEORGE PORTER JR. ONE OF BADDEST BASSIST ON PLANET
What Makes Lionz Different From Other Bands
VERY VERSATILE IN DIFFERENT STYLES OF MUSIC AND LIKE TO GO TO THE FLIPSIDE OF IT WHEN IT HAPPENS
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Clint Swords, Bass Guitar
Born and Raised
I was born on the Halloween of 1976 in Decatur, Georgia. I was raised there until I was seven or eight, and then relocated to a town called Snellville, where I stayed through high school and beyond. I moved to Athens, Georgia during the summer of 1999 and am very proud to call it home.
First Musical Love or Experience
My first musical experience was listening to 8 track tapes such as The Allman Brothers, ARS, Marshall Tucker Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and the Steve Miller B very loudly in my dad's Monte Carlo. My first favorite was probably Michael Jackson because he was all over this new cable channel called MTV. They played music videos and Michael Jackson's were just incredible. I don't know whatever happened to that channel.
First Impressions and Instincts with Lionz
These guys can get down! I am part of Lionz always.
Most Powerful or Inspiring Musical Influence
LED ZEPPELIN- they are so powerful. BOB MARLEY- he's inspiring.
Greatest Achievement/Most Memorable Moment
Playing Elvis Presley in high school and getting lots of laughs from friends and teachers. It really was hilarious.
What Makes Me Stand Out From The Crowd
I can't answer that one. Someone else can tell you.
Hardest Challenge Ever Faced
I can't answer that one. Someone else can tell you.
Dream Venue
I'd love to play SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE and be in one of the sketches
What Makes Lionz Different From Other Bands
The ability to take it all the way with no limits or boundaries
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Jefferson Taffet, Lead Vocals
Born and Raised
Born in Arizona; raised all over the world (my father was an Air Force fighter pilot)
First Musical Love or Experience
My mom singing nursery rhymes
First Impressions and Instincts with Lionz
'The search is over' was my first impression with the lineup we have now
Most Powerful or Inspiring Musical Influence
Any person or band that is inspiring to me has influenced me. To name THE most powerful is impossible but some of my personal favorites are The Doors, The Grateful Dead, Widespread Panic, Bob Marley, all great blues musicians, Ben Harper, U2, The Allman Brothers, Pink Floyd...
Greatest Achievement/Most Memorable Moment
Remaining alive and having great friends. Most memorable moment would be too blurry and too illegal to repeat.
What Makes Me Stand Out From The Crowd
You’ll have to ask the crowd
Hardest Challenge Ever Faced
Remaining peaceful and calm during moments of adversity
Dream Venue
Red Rocks in Colorado and Bonnaroo
If I Could Have Any Musician Be a fan Of Lionz, it would be...
It would be an honor for any musician to appreciate Lionz
What Makes Lionz Different From Other Bands
Lionz is a band of leaders, who are extremely individualized, both on and off the stage. Lionz is influenced by so many different experiences and sounds since we are open to each other’s personal influences.
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Lionz' Music
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