Lions’ pride

Stadium rock on the agenda for local maestros’ latest album

WHAT do you get when you combine five accomplished Bendigo musicians at the top of their games, heart-on-sleeve lyrics equally influenced by their local surrounds, clever song structures, and a band as in sync as you’ll ever hear?

Well, you get Four Lions’ latest album Wide Awake – a slick, multi-layered collection of music that stands up against any guitar band across the globe.

It’s a twelve-track journey through what singer, songwriter, guitarist and founder Shann Lions describes as full of “the best songs I’ve ever written” and “a year in my life in song”.

“I don’t need to go into it further though, (as) art needs some level of the listener’s own interpretation!” he said.

Wide Awake signals somewhat of a departure from the band’s four previous albums, which could be variously described as a combo of folk rock, Americana and alt. country.

This one, unashamedly, is designed for the main stage.

“I came up with the idea of creating a stadium rock album during the band’s 2019 Hard Days national tour,” Lions said.

“I was driving over to play in the front bar of one of the oldest pubs in Australia in Penola. I was remembering watching The Killers on the MCG with Jack Riewoldt in the 2018 AFL grand final, thinking that it would be a dream to be performing there.

“I know our band could be something pretty special because it already is to me – we just need other people to believe and connect with us musically. Stadium rock songs clearly have the runs on the board, so why not attempt to write some?”

If you’ve ever seen Four Lions live or follow their socials, you’ll be aware of the bond between Lions and lead guitarist/chief protagonist and renowned guitar obsessive Keith McQueen, as well as his genuine admiration for the rest of the group.

Perhaps, their cohesive nature, and the way they come together as way more than a sum of their parts, is a result of this.

“Keith will, and always has been there. I started the band with him, so without him… there is no band,” Lions said.

“Yep, I might be the songwriter and voice, but he is just as important as I am – you can have the chips, but they are better with the right gravy!

“Keith adds colours to songs where they are needed, knows when to compliment a melody, to under or overplay in a part of the song.

“He’s such a fan of music, like I am – that’s why we have just clicked.

“Taking nothing away from the other guys in the band, because they all played out of their skins on this record.”

“I would say I have a bit of that unspoken magic with drummer Gav too, but that’s because we have played together for so long. I lock in with Gav like no one else when I play guitar, so I’m always planning these songs from the ground up.”

“Stephen on keyboard and Brad on bass… I just love listening to and watching them play. It’s an absolute pleasure to share in this journey alongside them too.”

Wide Awake will be released on 14 October through MGM Distribution and the band’s own label – Verse Chorus Verse – in digital, CD and deluxe vinyl format. Pre-orders are available via ffm.to/fourlionswideawake.