Tafoyas Lost Boyzz
Life Limited Edition
© 2007 Rave Song Records (837101347136)
CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.
Old school, now sound, "the new classic rock."
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Instrumentation
Michael Tafoya - Guitar, Lead and Background vocals
Chris McCoy - Drums, Lead and Background Vocals
Erik Osland - Bass, Lead and Background Vocals
Biography
Mike Tafoya has been a loud, raw and completely original part of the Chicago and national music scene for more than thirty years. He first made a name for himself in the mid-70s as the explosive lead guitarist for Epic recording artists, The Boyzz (from Illinoizz). After the release of "Too Wild to Tame" and a five-year run that included national tours with acts like Aerosmith, Rush and REO Speedwagon, Mike left The Boyzz and in 1982 landed yet another Epic recording contract with his new band, The B'zz (with Steve Riley of W.A.S.P. and LA Guns). Throughout the 80s and 90s, Mike continued to play, record and tour across Illinois and the nation with bands like Tafoya (with Boyzz guitarist Gil Pini) and Raw Dogs (with B'zz singer Tommy Holland). Through it all, Mike has been committed to making his own music on his own terms, a choice that eventually left him broke and alone and living in the streets through two harsh Illinois winters without a guitar to his name. His last axe had been stolen. "It was horrible," says Mike. "Nobody would buy me a burger but they would buy me a beer. But I knew I had to do this. I needed credibility to put my project together and make it work."
Then through open mic jams, he met drummer Chris McCoy and bassist Erik Osland in 2002 and a new band with a new yet classic sound was formed. There's no denying the echoes of Led Zeppelin, Santana, The Doors, Audio Slave, Rush, hard core blues and even The Boyzz in The Lost Boyzz sound. But from the soul of Classic Rock, The Lost Boyzz have managed forged a completely new and innovative sound. Whether it's the uplifting title track, "Life," the heavily distorted "Hammerhead," the bluesy "Over Now," or the more melodic "Sturgis," Mike has finally found a platform to showcase his blistering yet soulful guitar work, which is not to dismiss the rest of the band. They work together as the ultimate power trio, complete with layers of vocal harmonies that seem so effortless they will likely go under-appreciated. Chris and Erik provide a rock solid foundation, and then Mike's guitar screams, rants, sears or soars and wherever it goes, you go with it. "We're a three-piece band," says Mike, "but we can make it sound like six."
Mike reunited with his old friend and former Boyzz bassist Dave Angel to co-produce the band's first CD and with the release of LIFE (2007 Rave Song Records) we finally hear the sound Mike has been chasing and creating for more than three decades. And as good as the CD is, it's even better to hear the band play it live and the bigger the venue the better. The title track in particular needs plenty of room to expand.
Tafoya's Lost Boyzz are pioneering a new genre that can only be described as New Classic Rock. The music brings back memories even when it's being heard for the first time and re-connects true music fans with the reasons why they came to love Rock 'N Roll.
reviews
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Guitar driven hard rock with a blues feel!!!!!
author: PhilMike Tafoya, one of the most legendary guitar players from the Chicago area, has released his first album in many years. This is a geat album. If guitar driven hard rock, with a blues feel is what you are looking for, this album is for you! Make sure to pick up your copy today!
Fist pumping Rock N Roll that will make you smile!
author: ELThank God the eighties didn’t kill off all the rockers! It’s great to hear Michael Tafoya and crew rockin’ hard on Life. Ballsy, bluesy, hard driving music to make you smile, pump your fist in the air and say YEAH!!! Mmmmm… tasty stuff. Go out and catch their live show… you’ll be glad you “found” the Lost Boyzz.
What a great album!
author: ScottI got one word for this CD and it is three letters. WOW. I was so blown away by this album it is scary. If you would have put this album on , and not said what year it was made, I would have thought I was back in 1975. Talk about great guitar solos here, and great songs. I hope the Lost Boyzz continue to write new material, cause this album simply rocks.
How great Mike's band is.
author: Dave Duracell DealTafoya's Lost Boyzz CD is great. Remember when bands had talent? This is the best band I have heard and seen in years. The CD is outstanding, but do your self a favor and go see the guys live. They simply will rock your world with a great sound and talent. You will love the experience.
Kick ass Rock N Roll! One of the best albums I have heard in a very long time!
author: SteveWow, what can I say, this album rocks! Finally an album that showcases the guitar again. I have been searching for so long for a pure guitar oriented album, and this is the one I have been looking for. But not only does this song have killer guitar work, it also is a very creative and lyrically exceptional album. I have always been a fan of guitar solos, and kick ass in your face Rock N Roll, and this album definately delivers. I love Classic Rock, and its nice that a band is continuing to deliver this genre, but its brand new material. Keep up the good work Lost Boyzz, you guys are incredible!
Guitar Pyrotechnics!
author: DavidFormer Boyzz From Illinois and B’zz guitarist Mike Tafoya returns with the Lost Boyzz and his first recorded music in more than a decade. On Life Tafoya shows like a seasoned bluesman; his playing is even more asymmetric and organic these days on the dynamic Southern rock rush of “Boogie With Me” and the dirty Delta blues of “Spread Your Love Around.” Drummer Chris McCoy and bassist Erik Osland supply inspired ’70s style boogie for Tafoya’s guitar pyrotechnics. I have seen these cats play live to, and as good as the cd is, make sure to see them live!
Rock N Roll lives again!
author: DebraRemember what it was like back in the days of vinyl when you would run home from the record store with a new album in hand and lock yourself in your room and listen to it over and over and over again until you knew every word and every lick and then listen to it some more? That’s how excited I was when I opened my mailbox last week and found my Lost Boyzz CD had arrived. And if it’s possible to produce an instant classic, that’s what Mike Tafoya and The Lost Boyzz have done. You can play their LIFE CD over and over and over and over again and like it more each time you hear it. They don’t sound like anybody else but their inspiration is clearly pulled from the soul of Classic Rock. There are echoes of Led Zeppelin, Santana, The Doors, early Styx, Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Hendrix, Deep Purple, hard core blues and, of course, The Boyzz, woven into the music. The result is a wall of sound that’s blistering, loud, raunchy and raw, while at the same time, uplifting, catchy and even spiritual. The music defies genre, other than to say it ROCKS! As far as I am concerned, it isn’t Rock without a screaming guitar.. And the guitar work here is incredible. Each song serves as a launch pad for an amazing solo. Listening back to The Boyzz after all these years, I find some of Mike’s guitar work lost in the mix. There’s too much going on for it to really stand out. He’s finally found a platform to showcase his work, which is not to dismiss the rest of the band. They work together as the ultimate power trio, complete with layers of vocal harmonies that seem so effortless they will likely go under-appreciated. Chris and Erik add the rock solid foundation, and then the guitar screams, rants, sears or soars and wherever it goes, you go with it. You’re instantly lost in the music. And as good as the CD is, you just know it would be even better to hear the band play it live and the bigger the venue the better. The title track in particular needs plenty of room to expand. But the best thing about LIFE is it makes me smile. The music manages to bring back memories even though I’m hearing it for the first time. And it doesn’t hurt that Mike is an incredibly nice guy who sent me four CDs spanning thirty years of his musical career for a ridiculously low price. He personally took the order, followed up with emails and said thank you. In an age where you need a Best Buys Rewards Card just to have the chance to pay $225 to see the big reunion tour of the summer, that’s very refreshing. Buy the CD. You will remember why you like music. Debra in Evergreen, Colorado newsgal@att.net (Long Ago Boyzz Fan)