3 things to know about indie pop rock artists’ Lilys before the band performs in Southern California – Orange County Register

Ranging in sound from shoegaze to dream pop to Kinks-inspired rock, the indie pop group Lilys are a band that’s been constantly evolving in terms of sound and members since their inception in 1988.

The group was essentially the artistic vehicle for Kurt Heasley, who founded the band in Washington, D.C. and is the only continuous member of the lineup, which has included more than 70 musicians throughout the band’s history.

And after being unable to do so Disease, Heasley, along with several veteran musicians, will host a trio of local shows starting at Supply & Demand in Long Beach on January 21, Pappy and Harriet’s on January 22 and The Echo on January 23.

“It feels more substantial to be back on the road. Heasley talked about the band’s return to the stage in a recent phone interview that added importance.

Like its lineup, the band’s sound has changed from shoegaze roots to a more pop/rock sound influenced by bands like Kinks.

Some of Lilys’ songs have reached wider audiences through advertising campaigns: 1994’s “Ginger” appeared in a Calvin Klein commercial and 1998’s “A Nanny In Manhattan” was featured in a Levi’s advertisement.

Here are three things to know about Lilys ahead of local shows.

Travel band

In addition to Heasley, this Lilys touring lineup will include guitarist James Richardson (MGMT), bassist Evan Weiss (Girls), percussionist Chris Colley (School of Seven Bells), synth player and guitarist Don DeVore ( Collapsing Scenery) and guitarist – and longtime Lilys collaborator – Alex Craig.

Review history

Lilys haven’t released a new album since 2006’s “Everything Wrong is Imaginary,” but the band is touring in support of the recent re-release of the 1994 six-song EP “A Brief History of Amazing Letdowns.” It was originally released as a limited edition 10-inch vinyl in 1994.

“The original record was pretty important to us,” says Heasley. “It’s just who we are without thinking too much about it,” he said.

Heasley said the album was a transition for the band because while it still had the energy and feel of their first shoegaze release “In The Presence of Nothing,” it carried many of the influences of more pop music.

He said: “Every recording after ‘A Brief History of Amazing Disappointments’ has the theme of that melodious feeling.

It’s also a hard-to-find record.

“And at the time it was released in 1994, there were very few physical copies of the record, less than 5,000. And about 10 years ago we started seeing those original copies selling for $300 or more,” he said.

The revised version includes the song “Ginger” and the previously unreleased tune “G. Cobalt Franklin” as well as four demo songs recorded in the same year.

Deep diving

Heasley said current programs are comparable to music documentaries of the band because they refer to the historical scope of the band.

“We never did this tour of ferocity,” he said.

“Over the years, we have developed groups with all the songs that everyone has come to expect. But this round, we added more songs, because of the demanding nature of how they were made, we lost faith with this one,” said Heasley.

If you go

Long Beach: January 21, Supply & Demand, 2500 E. Anaheim St. sndlbc.com

Pioneertown: 7:00 p.m. January 22 Pappy & Harriet’s, 53688 Pioneertown Road. $22 up front and $25 for show day. pappyandharriets.com

Los Angeles: 7:00 p.m. January 23, Echo, 1822 Sunset Blvd. $20. theecho.com

Information: bandintown.com/a/9923-lilys