Defunct Local Band Profile Series: Lion Ride

It's now time for this month's Defunct Local Band Profile, as we continue our monthly feature series spotlighting a defunct or inactive local metal, hard rock, or punk band, so current readers can learn more about them and check out their material! As usual, this month's band was randomly selected, but what a random selection we have this month, as they're among the highest profile bands that we've looked at in this series, and they've definitely been missed in recent years, so read on below for what you should know!
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Lion Ride

Genre: Metal/Classic Rock/Punk

Hometown: Sault Ste. Marie/Toronto, Ontario

Members: (Members not in their last full lineup in italics)

"Mikey Lion" Mikey Hawdon (The Fairmounts, The Merves), vocals
"Marco Lion" Marco Pedalino (The Cover-Up, Bondar), guitar
"Marky Lion" Mark Rand (Cross Dog, Detroit, Fuller), guitar
"Cobra Carmander" Carmine Romano (Dragqueen Superstar), bass
"Iron Mike Bison" Mike Indovina (Such Small Creatures), drums

"Lionel Itchy" Nathan Sauve (Bad Back, Fuller), bass
"Diamond Brent Panther" Brenton Ellis (Detroit, Maximum RNR), bass
"The Italian Stallion" Marc Muto (Bondar, The Hangdowns), drums 
 
Audio/Video: Lion Ride released their only EP, entitled "Awesome", in July 2008 with their original lineup, and while it's now out of print, it can be streamed on Bandcamp and Spotify, and bought on iTunes, so be sure to check it out if you haven't already! Outside of this disc, their originals "Lazer Lover" and "My Baby's Bad" exist as studio recordings that didn't make the cut for "Awesome", while a second CD had recording sessions in the early 2010s that were never completed before their breakup, though the four recorded songs can be streamed on YouTube. Numerous live concert videos from Lion Ride's run, including via the official YouTube channels of the band proper, frontman Mikey Hawdon, original bassist Nathan Sauve, The Sault Metal Scene, and others, so be sure to check them out, and here's Lion Ride playing one of their heaviest songs "Slapdance"!



Info/Analysis: Launching in February 2007, Lion Ride debuted their metal & punk hybrid sound at the former Foggy Notions that July, and they soon commenced with numerous concerts both locally and in Southern Ontario, where some members resided during the band's run. Continually maintaining the use of animal-influenced stage names (and sporting a glam-influenced look in their early days), Lion Ride's core lineup remained stable during their run, save for two bassist changes and a 2009 drummer switch. Along with the release of their "Awesome" EP, Lion Ride finished a point out of first at The Kiss Battle of the Bands in December 2009, competed at similar events in Southern Ontario, headlined their own Ontario tour runs, and remained a popular headlining attraction in the Soo until their final concert at The Rockstar Bar in July 2011. The band announced their breakup the following February due to personal commitments, though most members remain active in music.

Lion Ride were always a fun sight at local concerts, with their experienced & familiar lineup delivering a high impact sound and plenty of catchy & often heavy originals that kept fans moving! They had great chemistry, with Mikey's punk-tinged vocals and Marco & Mark's strong complimentary guitar work carrying them through the years, and they easily transferred that enthusiasm to their studio recordings as well, though it's a shame they only released one CD. The guys didn't close the door on a potential farewell show when they disbanded, so hopefully we see Lion Ride back in some form or another when the time is right, and check them out above!
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I hope you guys liked this month's Defunct Local Band Profile! Next month in this series, we'll head to Sault Michigan for the second time in 2016 when we look at defunct local hard rock band Monkey's Uncle (formerly Jager), whose lineup featured future members of Highway 63! I project there being enough to fill out a full profile, so look for that on or around March 10th, and stay tuned for weekend concert previews next! Thanks everyone!