When singer/songwriter Mike Mallon formed Lazy Mike and the Rockin' Recliners back in 2007 he assumed it would just be a simple blues cover band and nothing more than a side project.
“We did parties and we did a few things like that,” Mallon said. “It was never really that serious.”
That all started to change when the band decided to play a couple of original songs.
“Then it got kind of serious,” he said. “The original stuff was going over well and we were really enjoying it.”
It didn't take long for Lazy Mike and the Rockin' Recliners become the main project for Mallon. Seven years later the band is on the verge of releasing its third album, Rollin' Through This World.
On Friday (April 11), Mallon, along with his bandmates Mark "West Coast" Comerford, Bob "Blue" Berry and Ryan Connell, will be holding a CD release party at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 10 in Nanaimo.
“I am hoping for a good turn out,” Mallon said, about the upcoming album release show.
Those who listen to Rollin' Through This World should hear an improved sound from the Port Alberni-based band, according to Mallon.
“This one is a little more polished and we used a few different guitar players, a lot of friends and different guys all over the Island. It was kind of nice that way because we used a lot of our friends,” Mallon said. “The material gets better and better and I think our playing gets better and better as well.”
Mallon explained the biggest challenge for the band is playing shows further away from home.
“The big challenge for us right now is just getting out there. I try to keep the band pretty busy. It's hard to get together and practice all the time. So I try to keep us busy so that we do get lots of practice,” Mallon said. “I think the biggest challenge is just getting out there more and getting onto the mainland. It's always a tough gig and there is obviously more rooms out there and there is way more musicians who are vying for the same rooms.”
However, Lazy Mike and the Rockin' Recliners have played their fair share of shows and festivals, which include the Vancouver Island Blues Bash and and are looking to perform at more festivals this summer.
“We're trying to get into a lot more festivals. When you go play a blues festival everybody is obviously there to hear lots of blues music so it is an easy score,” Mallon said. “I've been submitting for all the festivals in B.C. and Alberta and even down into Washington.”
For a smaller band such as Lazy Mike and the Rockin' Recliners, the process of applying to various festivals can become a time consuming and expensive task. Although Lazy Mike and the Rockin' Recliners don't have the luxury of having a marketing team or label to do the trench work, they do have help.
“It gets to be a lengthy process because it gets to be a lot of sitting at the computer. I am lucky I have my wife because she does all the computer stuff for me,” Mallon said, laughing. “I call her my administrator.”Lazy Mike and the Rockin' Recliners perform at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 10, 129 Harewood Rd. Tickets are $12 for legion members and $15 for non members. For more information, please visit www.kingofheartssinglesclub.ca.