Lady Beast- A Band from Pittsburgh You Should know
Interview conducted on December 21, 2017
By Daniel Locke
Who is the band Lady Beast
Lady Beast is a heavy metal band from Pittsburgh PA. Now in its 7th year, the band has played hundreds of shows, played festivals, done tours, and sold thousands of albums. Upon hearing a recording of the band, it’s easy for the listener to pick out the band’s musical influences (NWOBHM, Motörhead, Dio, etc), but that isn’t the only influence. The Lady Beast draws heavily on the DIY ethos of the punk scene. Lady Beast has always done everything on its own. -Booking tours, doing band photos, printing t-shirts, setting up shows at home, writing songs, putting out albums (released on bassist Greg Colaizzi’s label, Cobra Cabana Records), and driving the van. Anyone that has seen the band live can attest to the Lady Beast’s energy, and singer Deborah Levine’s vocal ability, charisma, and love for what she is doing. Lady Beast is getting ready to release a new EP with 4 new metal songs in the style that the band is known for. The EP (our third release) is also a debut for the band’s new lead guitarist, Andy Ramage. Ramage is a familiar face, as he is the older brother of drummer Adam Ramage, and the two also played together in Oh Shit They’re Going To Kill Us. Andy Ramage’s style fits perfectly with the songs that rhythm guitarist Christopher “Twiz” Tritschler has been writing for the band. In addition to the EP, Twiz and Andy are writing songs for a full length, hopefully to be recorded next year.
Lady Beast
Lady Beast Band Members
- Deborah Levine – vocals,
- Andy Ramage – lead guitar,
- Chris Tritschler – rhythm guitar,
- Greg Colaizzi – bass,
- Adam Ramage – drums.
Unrated- Tell me something about yourself. What would you like people to know about yourself?
Deborah Levine – I love heavy metal and love performing. I love people and try in little ways to change the world everyday.
The Formation of Lady Beast
How did the band form and how did you join?
Greg Colaizzi and I started a band in 2008 where the song Lady Beast was written. That band split up and we decided to keep the song and name the new band we would start Lady Beast. After that we started collecting other members, over time people came and left and now we have our most solid line up.
How did they pick band’s name?
Like I mentioned above, the name came from the actual song Lady Beast which was written in my previous band. It was too good to let go. (laughing)
How do you describe your music?
Traditional New Wave of British Heavy Metal. We are not trying to reinvent metal. We just want to pay homage to our favorite style of metal and put our own spin on it.
What type of music, did you listen to growing up?
I was raised on a very wide range of music. Everything some classic rock (ZZ Top, Quiet Riot, Aerosmith, ACDC), Motown (Temptations, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson), etc. I also really enjoy musical theater and grew up singing a lot in that style. It’s probably why I love metal so much because it’s full of emotion and can sometimes tell stories through song.
Pittsburgh Rocks! The Music of the Steel City
The music scene in Pittsburgh? Being the steel city can Pittsburgh rock?
Pittsburgh can definitely rock. But it’s not a crazy big scene like other cities of its size. The underground music scene thrives here and it always will when bands are playing music they love. We bring bands to our city, let them stay at our houses and feed them. They do the same for us when we are on the road. There is an underground network and passion for metal!
How did you get signed to CRUZ DEL SUR MUSIC?
I had been in contact with Enrico and Cruz shortly after we recorded Metal Immortal EP. He trusted in our hard work of previous releases and welcomed us to join the label with our newest release Vicious Breed. We have always released the vinyl of our albums ourselves. So this was very cool for us!
I see you own a business called The Metal Maids. And I see it is all environmentally friendly and chemical free! It is safe for the family and animals. Tell us a little bit about it. How did you get started in that business and how is business going?
A friend took me a long with her when I was 20 and 12 years later I am still totally self-sustainable and busy! It helps being my own boss and making my own schedule, especially when it comes to the band. Unfortunately no paid days off, but it’s worth the sacrifice of play music on the road! I feel very lucky.
Vicious Breed New Music from Lady Beast
I listened to your new CD “Vicious Breed,” and it sounds like a mix of Judas Priest, Motörhead and early Runaways? What are the band’s musical influences?
Definitely the bands you listed above. I would also add Thin Lizzy, DIO, Iron Maiden, Acid, Merciful Fate…
It was released on both Vinyl and CD (both include unlimited streaming of Vicious Breed via the free Bandcamp app, plus high quality download in MP3, FLAC, and more.) This is something I don’t usually see for vinyl. How is the vinyl selling?
The vinyl sells as much if not more than the CD! Vinyl is still very popular in the underground metal and punk scenes. Most if not all bands have their albums on vinyl. Each one of us is a huge collector so we collectively have 1,000s of records. (Laughing) Releasing our albums on vinyl is our first priority. It’s a collecting passion. Having the artwork so big, being able to consciously listen to each side and read the lyrics. It’s a great format and an attractive package!
You band is in its 7th year, the band has played hundreds of shows what are some of funny stories you can tell me about touring?
To be honest my memory is horrible and we always have such a good time it’s hard to remember!!
How did you pick the person to produce your album?
Jason Jouver came to us after recording drum tracks for the second album. He took over and we loved the way that album sounded. From there he has been our guy and knows exactly how we want our music to come across. He pushes us as well to always do our best and get our best take. A great friend and engineer.
Out of the 8 songs on the CD, which do you enjoy the most recording? The one I liked was “Every Giant Shall Fall“.
Thank you! I love Seal the Hex and Get Out. But I do love them all! There honestly is not one song on the album that I would hesitate putting on a set list.
Lady Beast
Do you play any instruments? And did you help write any songs on the new CD?
I have a bass that I have had since high school! I have only played live a couple of times but I hope to do it again in the future! It’s a totally different experience than being the front person.
On The Road
How many shows do you play in Pittsburgh a year and what is the next gig you have? Any plans for any tours?
Our next local show will be our album release in late January-early February. We just played our last show of the year in Cleveland a couple of weeks ago. We used to play in Pittsburgh a decent amount per year. It has gotten less and less the more we try to tour and write. Our guitar player lives in Rochester NY so we only get one weekend a month with him to play and write. We always want to be productive and keep moving forward so it just depends what’s going on at the time.
To me it seems your band would be perfect for Rock on the Range or Carolina Rebellion. Have you played there yet?
No we haven’t. We don’t use any management, it’s just me and us! I hope to possibly get in touch with more US fests in the future!
Have you done South by Southwest (SXSW) yet?
No not yet!! Do you know a guy? (laughing)
How would you explain your live performance?
It’s part of the whole Lady Beast experience. You can listen to our album and totally get a god impression of what we are. But it’s not until you see us live that it all comes together. You see and feel my energy and our connection to the audience. The music comes alive and it’s really fun!
Who have you opened up for?
Just to name a couple Diamond Head, Night Demon, Saint Vitus, Doro, Night Ranger, Midnight, Destructor, Ross the Boss, Ghoul, Skeletonwitch, Savage Master…..
What music festival would you like to play at?
Defenders of the Old Fest and Frost and Fire Fest in the US….in Europe Keep it True, Metal Assault Fest, I could go on and on!
What Does the Future Hold of Lady Beast
If someone was to listening to you for the first time, what 3 songs, would you tell them to listen to and why?
Heavy Metal Destiny, Get Out and Every Giant Shall Fall. HMD because it’s a true heavy metal ripper. If you weren’t sure if we were heavy metal, you will after this song. Get Out because you understand that we aren’t taking any shit. We aren’t some kids, we’ve been doing this for a long time and we don’t have time for bullshit. EGSF because it’s a song that allows each member of the band to shine. It’s kind of a masterpiece that showcases our abilities to play metal.
Lady Beast
How do you see your band in the next 5 years?
Hopefully continuing to grow and put out better and better albums. Tour a lot more and play bigger shows.
Any guilty pleasures your fans would be surprise you listen to?
I really like power metal. Recently I have been listening to Sabbaton, Hammerfall, Falconer, Dream Evil…
Who is on your phone for music now?
I only listen to Pandora on my phone, (The bands listed above) but at home on the record player I have recently spun….Acid Witch, Midnight, Ironflame, Scorpions, and Thin Lizzy.
Anything in closing you would like to say?
Thank you for taking the time to talk with us!! We really appreciate it! Cheers!
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