Although many bands can’t handle the pressure that comes with this prize, the members of Green Lizard have a will of their own. They took their time, did it their way and made it work. And here they are promoting their second release for Sony and playing the main stage of Holland’s most prestigious club; the Paradiso.

Although Green Lizard’s crowd doesn’t even remotely fill this venue, the band attracts enough people to play a club this size; a half-empty glass can also be half full of course.

The band plays a lot of new stuff, which is a good thing. It’s been two years since their last album and they hardly played any new songs before New Born was released. Green Lizard does a lot of live concerts, both in clubs and at festivals. The best way to prevent performing on automatic pilot is to keep renewing the set list.

The band looks fresh and enthusiastic right from the beginning of the show. Vocalist Remy is clearly enjoying himself while singing these new songs. Guitarist Brian seems to be the most active on stage, flinging his dreads and jumping all over the place.

Although the band plays a little smoother during the older songs, the band members are coherent and self-assured all the way through. The band is obviously maturing as both the songwriting and the performance have improved noticeably.

When guitarist Willy blows his amp, there’s no panic or stress on stage. Brian and Remy start the next song together, while the amp is replaced and the band joins in at the next chorus.

Green Lizard’s new material goes down well, although for some people it takes a little time to get used to. With the help of a couple of older songs, however, the band undoubtedly gets the crowd going.

Even though some of the songs are quite different from what Green Lizard used to do, the fans, who of course bought the new album, already know a lot of the lyrics and sing along.

Green Lizard is an intense band. The way Remy delivers his vocals and the way the rhythm section embraces the music is truly compelling. Still, they seem a little too friendly; they could definitely do with a little more arrogance, a little more attitude.

(Review: Walter de Korver
Pics: Sebastien Sam)