Artist description Lazy J plays plain old good rock n roll. catchy melodies, harmonies, cool licks, and most importantly, intelligent songwriting.

Music Style Rock n Roll

Musical Influences Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Gin Blossoms, A Perfect Circle, Dream Theater

Similar Artists Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains

Artist History Lazy J is the brainchild of three childhood buddies with a passion for rock ‘n’ roll. Singer/songwriter/bass player Noah Essig, guitarist Wes McCanse, and drummer Jake Bowden, all born and bred in Tucson, Arizona, have been playing together for years. Aside from their musical bond, it’s their compatible personalities that make this band as strong as it is. Together, they wanted to make music the way he felt it should be made: poetic, and full of meaning. So that upon careful study, the listener can perceive the meaning of any given song and be emotionally moved. The boys in Lazy J felt that this was a lost art in popular music. Heavily influenced by Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, and A Perfect Circle, Lazy J wanted to prove that good songwriting still exists. Don’t be fooled by their youth; the members of Lazy J have a magnitude of experience. Essig spent a year and a half in a successful local country band, beginning when he was just 17, gaining the experience of weekly gigging, and opening for national country acts that came through town in front of as much as 5500 people. Studying under the guidance of jazz bass legend Ed Friedland, Essig is also an established jazz musician, playing upright bass right alongside the best cats in town. But his true passion is rock ‘n’ roll, and it shows. He and guitar player McCanse play weekly acoustic at places like O’Malley’s, a popular local college bar, and The Cottage Bakery and Caf�, a happening local coffeshop. His playing has drawn critical acclaim nationwide—because he plays a 6-string bass, he plays many of Lazy J’s melodies and solos like a guitar! And his hard work and creativity paid off—recently, Essig landed himself an endorsement with La Bella strings, and Martin guitars, all at the ripe age of 19. Wes McCanse has been influenced by a wide variety of musicians, ranging from the chops-heavy and melody-saturated music of instrumental guitarist Joe Satriani, to the emotionally driven and intense songwriting of Nine Inch Nails and Radiohead. Picking up his first guitar in the 7th grade, he has gone on to study music production and engineering at Berklee College of Music in Boston, under such notable professors as Jon Finn and Mitch Benoff. Spending so much time learning about the “behind-the-scenes” work has made McCanse a very well-rounded musician, and changes the way he listens to everything. He has produced many records for other bands and himself in his home studio. But all in all, there is nothing he enjoys more than performing with Lazy J for anyone who will listen. Jake Bowden has been playing drums since the age of 11. In that 10 years of experience, he has played with numerous players in all types of bands, and this diversity has improved his knowledge of song as a musician. He was captain of his high school drumline, and such intense practice with time over the years has given him the tight and solid groove only found in a professional drummer. The way Essig and him lock in musically feels only natural and is something that can only be produced through years of playing together. Also, with influences like Pantera's Vinnie Paul, Dream Theater's Mike Portnoy, and Rush's Neil Peart, he really gives Lazy J its hard rock edge. There is only one word to describe a Lazy J performance: energy. The passion they feel towards their music can be felt in the air at their live show. Once their adrenaline starts running, Lazy J produces a delightfully entertaining concert that is guaranteed to rev up a crowd. A few months back, Lazy J recorded a few songs working only with Noah’s digital workstation at home. They used these songs as a demo, and very quickly received positive feedback: besides landing the aforementioned weekly gigs, Lazy J got the interest of independent label Launching Pad Records. The head of this label, Neil Lindsay, saw such promise and raw talent in Lazy J’s demos that he wanted to sign them immediately. Currently, Lazy J are in the studio recording their debut album, full of catchy melodies and adrenaline-pumping rock ‘n’ roll. This is a band with a vision and a future. They have it all—youth, energy, presence, drive, and most of all, great songs. Their goal is to get to a major label, so that their music can reach the largest audience possible. Armed with their passion, creativity, and musicianship, Lazy J are ready to take on the world.

Group Members Noah Essig-vocals, bass Wes McCanse-guitars Jake Bowden-drums

Instruments Noah Essig exclusively uses La Bella strings and Martin acoustic guitars

Albums Lazy J

Additional Info Prdgmshft@aol.com

Location Tucson, AZ - USA

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