Lyres

From the ashes of DMZ, or in this case the bottom of a staircase, rose the band Lyres. In a major band altercation in 1978 in DMZ’s rehearsal space, lead singer Monoman tumbled down two flights of stairs and reborn as Jeff Conolly (aka Jeff Conolloid, Joselito Gomez, Lynn Pokemonojeff) and Lyres was formed.

Lyres (not “The” Lyres” because an obscure ‘50s group recorded under that name) is Conolly’s band all the way. Songwriter, keyboardist and lead vocalist, he hears the songs in his head, he says, and knows exactly how each part is to be played. With him in charge, the compelling protopunk sounds of Lyres have coalesced into a coherent musical ensemble which has continued to perform and record from 1979 to the present.

I’ve known Conolly since he was 19, when he first rehearsed with DMZ in my basement on Beacon Hill. A musician of passionate intensity which translates onstage, he has an encyclopedic knowledge of garage-rock history and he and I produced the first Lyres single in 1979, “How Do You Know” b/w ”Don’t Give It Up Now.” The recording session was rapid because my job was to capture the sounds that he wanted as quickly as possible since the studios charged by the hour. Even so, Conolly made certain that each note was perfect.

Close to 40 years later with eight albums, several EPs and multiple singles, including hits like “Buried Alive,” “Help You Ann” and “Don’t Tell Me Lies,” Lyres’ lineup has changed over time with Conolly and drummer Paul Murphy being the constants. Lyres remain Boston’s own and we can expect a new album in 2016, Conolly says.

(by Oedipus)