Lazy

by Stephen HowellGuitarist/vocalist Steve Schmoll had been playing around the Cincinnati, OH area since the mid-1980s in bands such as Pink Lady with pre-Brainiac vocalist Tim Taylor. After that group split, Schmoll continued his musical pursuits in local outfits such as Human Zoo and the Tigerlilies. It was around the latter portion of 1991, however, when Schmoll asked his friends Suzann Lynch and Meghan Haas about forming Lazy. Together, the trio released a seven-inch single, a 12-inch single and their full-length debut, Some Assembly Required, all on Roadrunner Records. However, the line-up changed in 1995 when Lynch left, and bassist Kari Murphy stepped in. With Murphy, Lazy released their second album The Lazy Music Group. Poor promotion of the record resulted in poor sales, and as a result, Roadrunner dropped the group. Lazy went on to record two singles for Elastic Records in 1998. Schmoll had known bassist/vocalist Lynch for a number of years, as well as Haas. Haas had been working at Wizard's record store in Cincinnati when Schmoll approached her in 1991 with the idea of playing drums. Previously, Haas had no experience playing the instrument, but upon Schmoll's request, she picked up a set. During the beginning of 1994, the group signed a five album deal with Roadrunner Records. In August, the trio released a seven-inch single on the label, which was followed by the October release of Some Assembly Required. The record displayed Lazy's knack for combining light jangle-pop with hard rock. Seven months later in May of 1995, they released the 12-inch single Revolutions Per Minute. Lynch parted ways with the band in 1995 to pursue other interests. She was replaced by Murphy, whom Schmoll had known since her days in the Columbus, OH band Miss May '66. The new line-up recorded their second full-length release for Roadrunner in early 1996. Schmoll invited guitarist Brendan Bugosian from the Cincinnati group Duster to play on the record in order to produce a heavier sound for Lazy. The Lazy Music Group was the resulting album released in September. After the recording was completed, Jeremy Frederick was added as the band's full-time second guitarist. Schmoll had known Frederick through their mutual friends in Brainiac. In early 1997, Roadrunner dropped Lazy before they had even completed their contract. The group was picked up shortly thereafter by the indie label, Elastic Records. Lazy recorded two singles, Fire Escape/What You Want/California Screamin' and the split seven-inch Let's Ignite Tonight/Overhook with Ohio group Clifford Never Knew in '98.