London’s Disco Lizards have made their comeback with “Life Lessons” as the band presents a thrilling musical experience fusing powerful guitar solos with solid rhythms and dark-toned lyrics. A 2024 lineup adjustment at the band brought vocalist Matt Stolworthy together with Mo El Shalakani and Jack Dunnigan and Nino Savoia and Josephine Keller.
The song “Life Lessons” grabs listeners right away with its post-punk power which reminds listeners of The Hives and Viagra Boys. The song features Stolworthy and Keller performing dynamic vocals with angular guitar playing and strong percussion. The band recorded their music in its raw state at Gun Factory Studios with producer Ian ‘Werkhouse’ Flynn.
The lyrics of the song address current weird post-pandemic world by employing comedic perspectives instead of melancholic messages. This song contains a chorus that seems made to be performed live while actively seeking engagement from the audience.
Disco Lizards are not returning to the music scene but they have transformed into their most potent and refined version through their upcoming album release and confirmed May 10th Hackney’s Levels performance.
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What inspired you to create “Life Lessons”? Is there a specific story behind the track?
Originally it started out as a song about chicken wings but I very quickly moved on from that idea.
Life Lessons is about navigating through the post pandemic world through an almost satirical lens. We joke about how expensive life is, social decline, living through our computers and the difficulties of dating yet we should be thankful and count our blessings. What a time to be alive right.
We want the listeners to be able to associate to the situation but did not want the song to be bleak. We aimed to deliver it in a tongue in cheek way.
How would you describe the sound of “Life Lessons” to someone who hasn’t heard your music before?
We wanted the guitars to drive the sound with a high energy rock n roll indie style. The rhythmic sections and riffs were designed to be as catchy and memorable as possible. The sound mimics the lyrical content in a way.
The title “Life Lessons” suggests something meaningful or reflective. What personal experiences influenced this song?
My personal observations of mine and my friends experiences living in a post pandemic world. We have had to adapt to a new way of living and we learn new lessons all the time. Although the title might tease something meaningful or reflective it actually means more the opposite. Like is this really happening, what has the world come to etc
How does “Life Lessons” differ from your previous work as Disco Lizards?
I think the sound has matured in a way and we are more assured of ourselves now. I have always wanted Disco Lizards to be fun and entertaining and I think Life Lessons is another step in that direction.
Too many bands and commercial artists take themselves seriously and feel so distanced from real people in the real world. I feel like a lot of the corporate music world, governments or people of cultural importance are taking the piss out of people.
We very much want our audience to stand with us, let loose for a moment, have a good time and not take everything so seriously.
What was your creative process like for this single? Did it evolve significantly from your initial concept?
Yeah initial concept as i said before…chicken wings. I have a mild obsession. The music came next and once I realised that i was onto something I very soon changed the lyrical content and just started looking around my apartment at the bottle of hand sanitiser and the make shift home office set up and thinking about everyone else I know in their similar life situations.
Then when i brought it to the guys it very quickly came to shape. I think we even played the earliest version of it at a gig after just one rehersal session. Thats how excited about it we were.
Are there any particular musical influences that shaped the sound of “Life Lessons”?
The bands that I have been listening to recently include Viagra Boys, The Hives, The Strokes, Sports Team and Blur to name but a few.
I think any musical influence is mostly subconcious for us – we don’t get together and go lets make a song that sounds like this or that. We do what comes naturally as a group and then explore it organically.
The name “Disco Lizards” is quite distinctive. What’s the story behind your artist name and how does it connect to your musical identity?
The name actually came before I had written any music. I wanted a name that was very visual and sounded great.
I actually pulled it from an Arctic Monkeys lyric – I heard it and instantly knew that was the one.
What do you hope listeners take away from “Life Lessons”?
I hope that listeners primarily just enjoy the song and listen to it in their throws of everyday life. If it makes you laugh or smile then thats a huge bonus. Life is too short to get bogged down by all the worlds idiosyncrasies – try to enjoy it and yourself.
Were there any unexpected challenges or breakthroughs during the production of this track?
No real challenges – the biggest breakthrough was utilizing mine and Josephine’s vocal takes and ended up making it a call and response vibe. That was something that came to light during production which was a lightbulb moment.
It just somehow elevated the song and made it even more fun, an even bigger spectacle.
Do you have any interesting stories from the recording sessions?
The recording sessions were incredibly focused. When you are an unsigned band every minute is a cost so we worked relentlessly to get everything down within our budgeted time. Obviously it is a fun experience too. Our producer Ian ‘Werkhouse’ Flynn is a huge part of the Lizards process and kept us on track throughout.
Is there a specific lyric or musical moment in “Life Lessons” that holds special significance for you?
I wanted every line to as epic as possible and a couple stand out – my favourite is the chorus line. “Life lessons, better count all your blessings.” But from the verse I think “wash your face, wash your hands and keep away from everyone that you know” just throws me back into the pandemic life. I remember exactly how that felt.
What’s next for Disco Lizards following this release?
There is lots happening. We have a selection of support shows coming up including:
08th May – The Waiting Room, London
10th May – LVLS, London
We are working on our next big headline show.
We will be releasing another single in the coming months and are working towards another album.
