At the basis of this Milano based Italian Glam Rock/ Metal act are guitarist Gypsy (real name Luca, family name untraced) and drummer Vik (real name Vittorio, family name unknown to yours truly), who meet each other by chance in February of 2009. Due to their common musical passion for LA-style Hard Rock, the twosome decides to start a band under the monicker of Snipers, recruiting additional members among their friends and acquaintances.
But Snipers didn't work out due to several internal problems, and so our antagonists decided to start anew. While already creating new songs, the duo also set forth seeking the right people for their ultimate line-up, a search which would last until the Summer of 2011. First to join (and later apparently also to leave, regrettably) would be rhythm guitarist Donnie Young (formerly of locally renowned Punk Rock act Ligera 73), whom is attracted by the duo's somewhat destructive attitude. Next up came Swiff, a frantic bassist with a Funky Punk soul, and an old pal of Gypsy's. Last to enter the fold would be Brazilian vocalist Mr. Skorpion (whom Donnie had heard sing in a Milano venue), the band being seduced by the man's typical Hard Rock voice and his ability to open beer bottles with a ring. With his joining the band in July of 2011, the new bandname is chosen, and the quintet sets forth composing completely new songs, which they record onto a 4-track demo as a means of promotion toward concert promoters and gig organizers. Shows in several local venues ensued, the most memorable (and successful) being an opening slot for Adam Bomb And The Theatre, who were direct openers for L.A. Guns.
In 2013 the band signed a deal with the Street Symphonies label, and the first result of recording sessions done with producer Oscar Burato (whom also mixed and mastered the material) at the label's own Atomic Stuff Studio is now presented in this, the band's debut album Pornstar For President. With cited influences from the likes of Guns N' Roses, Mötley Crüe, AC/DC, Airbourne, Poison, Hardcore Superstar, Rose Tattoo, Ratt, Cinderella, Faster Pussycat, Dokken, and more (not always appropriate as comparison lever in the case of this band's sound), you know what to expect. Still, I personally found some negative points to this band. Like, for starters, the lead singer's voice is relatively heady, occasionally even over the top, and his voice also has that typical type of Mediterranean accent (I know, he's Brazilian, but still...there's that accent!). I'm not certain, but is the band's “With You” possibly a Scorpions original? Perfect example of that accent problem thing! No problem when you're into that type of singing, but if you're looking for top quality you might actually look away from this band! Additionally, but that is a lesser negativity, there's the occasionally sexually exaggerated lyrics which are so typical for the (more childish part of the) genre. At first, I thought the music was overall somewhat too rhythmic, but then I set my aversion (sorry for repeating this, dude) of the singer's voice aside, and started listening to the music beneath...to find a perfectly okay instrumentation. Since the recoding of the album (to which Vik added keyboards on the aforementioned “With You”, and some bars on the piano at the end of the album closing “Day After Day”), Donnie has left the band for other horizons, and he's apparently replaced by a dude goin' by the simple name of Cri...about whom I can furnish no details at all!
Anyway, for your first taste of Eyes 'n' Lips, check out the music player at (www.) streetsymphonies.com, where the album's title songs is posted along “Soldier Of Love”. For an additional medley of the album's material and an interview with Mr. Skorpion, check out the band's page at facebook (listening possibility requires a “like”)! As you can gather that the rating of this album is hampered somewhat by my personal appreciation of the band as a whole, I suggest you check out the sites mentioned and make up your own minds.