. . . the History
Based out of Southern California LYNZEE was formed by founding member Richard Lindsey in 1985.
After working the ‘local’ backyard party scene of Southern California, (There was a time from 81-86 when EVERY weekend some local band was tearing it up at some backyard party) Richard left local metal band Raging Saint to join DC Sparks playing bass. DC Sparks was a more commercial style reminiscent of early Bon Jovi. After a short tenure Richard decided it was time to start from scratch.
At the time Richard was attending College to receive his Recording Arts Degree. He had acquired a 4 track recorder quickly followed up with a vintage reel to reel 8 track. You could say he became obsessed with multi-track recording. To this very day Richard engineers & produces all of the Lynzee Material. At the time seeking to find the right group of players proved a challenge. Richard was looking to form the Classic Two guitar tandem style metal approach (ala Judas Priest/Iron Maiden/AC/DC) combined with the Classic ARENA rock (Van Halen) rhythm edge.
The original complete line-up by 1986 was Richard Lindsey (Guitars) and Jeff Fedak (Guitars) working together to accomplish the dual guitar style. Joey Velasco (Drums) & Mike VanDenburg (Bass) created the rocking rhythm section. Vocalist Kelly Wilde rounded out the lineup with his classic screamin’ style.
This line-up was not meant to last so the search continued…
Richard and Joey began seeking replacement members for the band. Various new members came and went, Scott Ragotskie (Bass), Robert "Doogie" Johnson (Vocals) and many others whose names are now forgotten. By this time the search for a frontman was frustrating Richard and Joey. Joey suggested that Richard step up to the task of frontman/vocalist in addition to playing guitar, this changed the direction of the band and put an end to the search for a vocalist.
The first permanent addition this new line-up was guitar wizard Patrick Park in 1987. A true prodigy, a techinical guitarist with chops to spare. Following close on his heels was Bassist Damian Pampena whose slap, funk and Iron Maiden influences brought a unique perspective to the band. With this line-up the band began performing live dates throughout Southern California, and started work on their first Demo, recorded at Whitefield Studios in Orange County. (between the hours of 11pm to 5am, sleep wasn’t an option).
Unfortunately in early 1988 Joey left the band. This is where LYNZEE began to suffer one consistent problem "Spinal Tap Disease" YES constantly exploding drummers! Upon the parting of Joey (and trying out many replacements) Richard contacted former band mate Greg Jackson (a John Bonham specialist who Richard first worked with in the band DC Sparks). Greg came on board and the band began playing Orange County California as well as writing new material and working on Demos.
Once again misfortune stepped in and Greg had to part with the band. After Greg came a long list of drummers whose names are long forgotten (but the green globules remain). Fate smiled on the band as Greg returned to the band once again in 1989 and the band began to tour regionally and began production on this lineups first release.
The first release ended up taking the form of their first two demos "Lynzee I" & "The Whitefield Sessions".
Unfortunately fate had it in for this line-up, Greg suffered a family setback forcing him to leave the band and unable to finish all the recording sessions. As the search continued, next in line was Neil Peart influenced Technical drum phenom Bill Haertel. Both a session drummer as well as a professional instructor Bill was a musical chameleon capable of just about any musical style set before him. Working as a hired gun Bill joined the band as a temporary solution helping LYNZEE finish out their scheduled show dates. Fortunately for the band Bill quickly came to believe in the music, determination and vision that Richard was trying to convey as well as the musicianship of all it members. He was hooked and made the fulltime commitment to LYNZEE… from this time forward it was a whole new ballgame. Bill helped Lynzee evolve and establish the clockwork precision style that became part of the signature sound of the band. With this line-up the band became a different animal.
In 1989 the band once again began production on their first EP the self titled debut "Lynzee" working with Producer Jimmy Hoyson at Capitol Studios, The Summa Group & Dave Stuart of Eurythmics famed home studio Chapel Studios. Upon completion the band self distributed this 1st EP and shopped it to the record labels. The Lynzee EP / Demo caught the ear & eye of Engineer/Producer Charlie Watts.
The band began a non-stop schedule of performing in every venue & club in Southern California. Even with this hectic schedule the band never stopped writing & recording. These recording sessions were done at the Batcave Studio with Richard engineering & producing. These tracks would end up becoming the Classic “Victim of Nirvana” album released by Darknight Entertainment and currently being re-released through RETROSPECT RECORDS in 2009.
By mid 1990 the band had worked with various management groups & managers. At this time Michael Mansfield entered the picture, eventually taking on the role of Manager & promoter working closely with Richard. After hooking up with Mike & Charlie the band then recorded their next EP "Lynzee Front Page Sessions" at Front Page Recorders in Costa Mesa CA completing the 5 song EP in 1990 and releasing it thru Darknight Entertainment. The band followed up with a rigorous performing schedule playing out as often as 3 times a week. You name the place they played it, The Whisky, The Roxy, The Troubadour, The Marquee, FM Station and so on.
After working with the band over a 2 plus year run, Bill had to leave due to personal & business commitments. The parting was amicable for all involved and Bill left knowing at ANY time he could return to the fold with open arms as he would “always” be a part of Lynzee. Bill continued to work with the band till a replacement could be found. The answer came in the form of John Chip Hanna. Chip was a hard worker who went out of his way to prove to the members he was the only man for the job. Shortly thereafter he became the new drummer of Lynzee.
After the completion of Front Page Sessions (featuring Bill on Drums) and the new line-up in place Lynzee inked a deal with Statue Records with Charlie Watts producing & Richard Co-producing. The band was not happy with the deal as it took some seriously bad turns. Lynzee dumped the Statue Records contract & broke away with Charlie & Richard helming the project.
With the new line-up Lynzee began pre-production on their next self released album. Working tirelessly to write & prepare the new material for completion was quite a task. Upon completion of the new album "Man of the People" they inked a record deal with Caprice International Records.
By 1993 the band worked to promote the new release playing a demanding schedule for a period of time. After nearly 10 years of hard work the band decided they needed a break, for Damian, Pat & Chip this would turn out to be a permanent vacation.
With the band now in limbo, over the next 2 years Richard kept writing & recording himself while working with other artists as a performer & engineer / producer. During this time while filling in with a few fragmented groups Richard asked Michael if he were interested in playing bass on some of his musical projects. This was the beginning of the next phase of Lynzee…
The next decade would turn out to be the most prolific and experimental period for Lynzee. With the exception of a few secretive performances, (under the names of Project X, If You See Kaye & Gahdoffel) the band existed almost exclusively within the Batcave. Since the demise of the original line-up in 1993 Richard never stopped writing & recording. Over this period of time Michael & Richard worked through various incarnations of the band, experimenting with different sounds and genres, resulting in over 100 songs during this time Whether working alone with a sequencer or with numerous other musicians, they compiled a literal mountain of recordings.
In 2003 a return to the Lynzee “vaults” uncovered a stash of forgotten 8 track & 16 track masters. This reignited the desire to resurrect Lynzee and bring back the classic sound to the masses. Richard repackaged the 1992 album “Man of the People” and compiled the original demos into the album “Lynzee Sessions”. Some of these lost recordings would be remixed & offered on “Victim of Nirvana” as well as the unreleased “Demolition.” These would be released on a Limited run through Darknight Entertainment in 2003. Later in the year they would have one of the Lynzee songs picked up for the “Metal Action Vol. 3” compilation release out of France. Lynzee began to garner interest through the internet and was again released on a compilation in 2004 “Crankspiv Records : Volume 8”., followed by “The very Best of Millenium Metal Volume 1 & 2” from Nu-metal Records in 2005.
After one of their impromptu performances in September 2008 & the exit of yet another drummer, Mike created a basic Lynzee Myspace as a small tribute to the band. They had no idea what would come of this little endeavor…
By the end of 2008 the band found new life when they were discovered by RETROSPECT RECORDS one the worlds largest independent rock/metal labels.
They signed a deal to re-release 3 of their classic albums complete with new unreleased material as well as a 4th new release in 2009. The ultimate bonus was the return of one of the original drummers Bill Haertel.
SO… Its OFFICIAL Lynzee will be Releasing FOUR albums through RETROSPECT RECORDS www.retrospectrecords.com in 2009.
1st The ULTRA Rare: Victim of Nirvana from 1989-90, 2nd Man of the People from 1992-90. BOTH featuring ALL the classic Lynzee tunes from the Heyday of the Hollywood strip with BONUS tracks that have never seen the light of day. The 3rd will be a real treat it features the 1st two Lynzee Demos and NEVER BEFORE HEARD Lynzee songs from 1986-88. Top it off with a BRAND NEW release featuring tunes from the 1996-present line-up!
Band Members
Past & Present
Richard Lindsey - Vocals,Guitars,Producer (1985 - present)
Michael Mansfield - Bass Guitar (1995 - present)
Bill Haertel - Drums & Percussion (1989 - present)
Austin Feagan - Drums & Percussion (2007 - 2008)
Brandon Mansfield - Drums (1997 - 2006)
Pat Park - Guitars (1987 - 1992)
Damian Pampena - Bass Guitar (1987 - 1992)
Chip Hanna - Drums, backing vocals (1991 - 1992)
Theron Andrews - keyboards, guitar, backing vocals (1992)
"Guy" Johnson - Drums (1991)
Jack Marsh - keyboards (1990)
Greg Jackson - Drums (1988 - 1989)
Scott Ragotskie - Bass Guitar (1987)
Robert "Doogie" Johnson - Vocals (1987)
Jeff Fedak - Guitar (1985 - 1987)
Michael VanDenberg - Bass Guitar (1985 - 1987)
Joey Velasco - Drums (1985 - 1988)
Kelly Wilde - Vocals (1985 - 1987)
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