Lightweight Holiday

Lightweight Holiday began when several neighborhood friends got together to start playing music to cut through the boredom. Andy (Guitar, Vocals), Joey (Drums), Justin (Guitar, Vocals) and Matt (Bass) started writing and rehearsing their own material when they were still in their teens. Matt and Andy had the idea to record a couple solid demos and send them to various labels with the intent of getting somewhere, or at least past the Ohio border.

With help from their manager, Melissa Garden, who they met in February of 2003, the band sent out a bunch of CDs, trying to solicit some type of label interest. Luckily for them, salvation and confidence came from two of the industry's most respected artists: Steve Kravac and Greg Hetson (Bad Religion). After sending in a handful of demos to Greg and Steve's fledgling label Porterhouse, the band began a long distance relationship that eventually culminated in their first self-titled release.

Working with mostly Steve in Porterhouse's Los Angeles studio, the band and their oft-times taskmaster producer created a gem of memorable and timeless songs. Of the experience, bassist Matt Lang says, "There was definitely an age difference. Steve has a reputation and I heard a lot of horror stories about bands that have worked with him, but it was awesome for us. It actually went pretty smooth; we didn't spend days and days working on parts, so it was relaxed and straightforward. We did the majority of preproduction for 2 or 3 days and worked on some arrangements and smoothed out a couple of things."

He adds, "It was our first recording experience in a studio setting. Next time around, I'd definitely like to keep a lot of the little noises and such because that's why I like rock and roll and earlier stuff. It has a lot of the character. I wish we would have left some of that stuff in there because those are some of my favorite things about bands like At the Drive In, The Blood Brothers and Coheed and Cambria."

Matt began playing music at age 12, though he had always been a fan and a big collector of records. He was in his first band at 12 and was also involved in the high school marching band, playing Saxophone and percussion. "I picked up a really good work ethic by doing marching band," he states matter-of-factly, "and I learned a lot about placement and timing and that every single person is important to the group. I learned how to focus on parts and how to make them perfect and also taking pride in what you do."

Many things have changed in the past several years for Matt and Andy. When they were getting ready for their first national tour, both Justin and Joey backed out and quit the band. Luckily, the two of them found Rob Barnes and Brian Penick to replace the loss of their drummer and guitarist. With that kind of intense lineup change in the midst of a media buzz, it could've broken apart any band. That wasn't the case with Lightweight Holiday.

"It almost feels totally different. With the writing, now everyone brings their parts to the table, the majority of the parts are written by all of us. Its pretty much equal opportunity. Everyone's opinion counts for each person's part. It also makes for a way better environment, and that has something to do with the new additions. We're writing more intricate parts and creating catchier melodies and not just throwing down power chords. We're trying to create ear candy."

As far as plans go for the next Lightweight record are concerned, Matt says they are contemplating doing a concept album, "but we aren't sure yet."

Lightweight Holiday will be playing rthe 10th annual Warped Tour on the Uproar Stage, and if you do yourself any favors this summer, it would be a good idea to see them live.


--Stolen From: http://www.themusicedge.com/moxie/news/featartist/lightweight-holiday-matt-.shtml