Wicked Liz and the Bellyswirls

January 15th, 2007

What tha!? Its already 2007? It seems like just yesterday I was saying--"what tha!? Its already 2006?"
My how time flys when your rocking the free world.

2006 was a very full year for me and the band. I made my way to Pebble Beach, SanDiego(I ran tha rock n roll marathon, baby!) ,Palm Springs and with allt he California hobnobbing still I could not get elected to any public office in California. I also made my way to Puerto Vallarta(yes i did get a tase of Montezumas Revenge), Scottsdale, Chicago, Milwaukee, Dubuque, Desmoines, St. Louis, Omaha, and Kewanee--man that Goods Furniture is a HUGE place and you really could spend all day there!
Along with traveling, I have worked on being able to successfully clone myself and hope to do so early this year. If I succeed, you may hear about it on CNN or at least In the Dispatch or Quad City Times. Keep an eye out. I have played with some great musicians, as well as the guys in my band and had a great time rocking lots of venues. Styx, almost Lou Grahm, Summer Fest, International Pop overthrow, Chicks Rock-Cincinnatti, and many many more I know im forgetting and hope if it was in YOUR hometown you will forgive me. I learned way to much about Brittany Spears. My vote: Best drama was World Trade Center, and Best comedy was Little Miss Sunshine.

I got a new guitar late in 2006 (Thank you Brad) and cant wait to show it off this year. The band will be holding a "name Lizs new guitar contest" so please e-mail me with "name that guitar" in the subject line at liz@wicked-liz.com. Only one entry per address and the prize is not gauranteed to be worth anything of any sort of value, however I could put in a good word and try to get a sandwich named after you at Kellys Irish Pub and you will for sure get your name and picture on the WLBS website--c'mon, could that be more tempting?

Things I didnt do in 2006: organize all my photos, learn to play the piano, "K-mart", volunteer more, get to know 12 new people, and get a record deal.

Things to do in 2007: Organize all my photos, learn to play the piano, volunteer more, get to know 12 new people(thats only one a month), get a record deal, have a life changing Ground Hogs day/Super Bowl Sunday, and LOVE MORE!!!

I am so lucky for everyone in my life. The guys in this band are like my brothers, except we dont fist fight as much, and I wouldnt trade em for the world! Everyone I've met and experienced because of this band, seriously, has shaped my life and affected me, in one way or another--yes even that drunk kid who bit me when we played in Bellvue. Thanks for all of the wonderful support throughout the years--I will try to make you all proud this year. Peace out and Rock on!!!! HAPPY 2007!!!!
Love to you all,
Wicked Liz

Hey Everybody!
This has been a wild year and I can't believe the Summer is almost over! I feel like just
yesterday I answered my year end questions for 2005.
I will say that one gig close to the end of summer and close to my heart is The Wells Fargo Streetfest, part of the Quad City
Times Bix 7--a seven mile race in our hometown of Davenport, Iowa. I've run it twice
and each year I felt I was as close to dying as I had ever been (of course that was
before I ran a marathon and thought for sure while "running" the last 4 miles I could
actually BE dying). So, I give a shout out to everyone who stuck it out this bix, not
only in the actual street race(Congrats all you bix7 runners!), but also those who hung
around and endured the heat and humidity well into the wee hours of the night. Thanks to
the small group that joined us at Ross's for a post-post-race party, even though our
drummer Greg wimped out--We still love ya Greg!
Thanks to Jeff Wros for taking some pretty Wicked Pictures. Here are just a few of the
excellent pics he got that night........FINALLY, a new posting from me. I guess I
underestimated the fact that people actually DO look at my page on the site, Because
people keep telling me they can't wait for me to update it. And by people, I mean my
dad. Hope you like the pics, pops!

Looks like I might be crying in this picture, but thats no tear in my eye, it's just the humidity--I like the sound of that better than saying I was sweating like a pig--Who me? NEVER!!! Seriously I believe it was 124 degrees that day and it was NOT any cooler that night.

MY FAVORITE picture from Bix 2006. Look at Bob and Leo, both in the air with their
hair blowing in the wind--ha! Another great Photo, Jeff!

171-This is me signing autographs--That makes me feel so cool!! I live for the outdoor shows so all of the kids that like our music can finally get out and catch a show. I lovee it when they come up so I can meet them all.

Hey there!!! Welcome to Liz's Page, we are very proud to present an all new interview with Wicked Liz, this was conducted over 3 different sessions, one in a van on the way to Ames Iowa, another conducted over omlettes at a local diner and lastly one as Liz was shucking some corn for a Sunday dinner... hey! It's Iowa, what do you want? You will learn intimate new details, long standing questions will be answered, future plans and dreams will be revealed...So sit back, relax and take in our most comprehensive Wicked Liz interview ever!

You just played at Rookies for your DVD release party. Do you think any other DVDs have been launched at Rookies? No, at least not during regular business hours. But a source I cannot reveal (Nancy!) said something about Killer and his H.S. buddies having old football games put on DVD so they could re-live the "good old days"... so that's a possibility, but I guess that's not really a release party now is it? So my answer would still have to be "no". (Ed. Note: Little known fact: the Steven Speilberg\Tom Cruise blockbuster WAR OF THE WORLDS had it's formal North American release w\ a red-carpet event at Rookies)

Tell us about DVD producer Jeff Wros, any good stories? Jeff's most favorable attitude would be his laid back attitude, with the ability to speak his mind. As far as stories go, there are too many to mention, I will say he has a great hairstylist!

You guys have a lot of material... of your own and of course you can crank out some pretty cool cover tunes as well, what is your favorite cover to play? Favorite cover is between Bobby McGee and Hurt So Bad...and Lisa Loebs Falling In Love.

Favorite Song you've written? That would be like picking a favorite child. I can't do it.

Bo Bice won American Idol, The White Sox won the World Series and Wicked Liz won America's hearts...True or False? Is this a trick question? I mean, I don't watch much television. If I say "true" will you say "Ha! Bo Bic didn't win American Idol, she got kicked out in the final round!" The same for sports, I don't want you to be ab;e to make a fool of me! I'm not giving the press any more fuel for the fire!!! Remember the pictures of me with that half eaten box of Krispy Cremes?!?!? It took six months for me to live that down... da%$# paparazzi!!!

Speaking of sports, it was revealed that Leo had seen Cub\Cardinal great Jose Cardinal catch a fly-ball with his hat at Wrigley Field in the late 70's. What impact has that had on you and will it affect your music or religious outlook? Anyone who spent any amount of time with Leo in 2005 knows about Jose, his afro and his hat catch in the late 70's. The story is inspiring, especially to Leo! And to see a grown man that giddy over something he may or may not have seen? Well, that makes a deep impact! I've thought about this all year and have been so inspired as to write a song about it. Religiously? well, Jose and Jesus both start with a "J" and aren't pronounced in Spanish as a "J"...but I don't put anymore thought into it than that.

How do you feel Bob's hairstyle is developing? I have never been more impressed! It's been a long hard road, but Bob's put more work than anyone into the whole thing. I talk a lot, Leo has a lot of good advice, Greg has chipped in a lot the last few months but let's face it, without Bob, this band would not exist. Oh, wait, were we talking about Bob's management style? No? Ok, then I stand by my comment about the hair.

When you read Harry Potter do you see yourself as more of a Griffendore or Slither'n girl? I've always related more to Harry's fat guy friend, I can relate more to that character, having struggled w\ my weight\eating habbits in the past.

You've played many places, can you tell us your favorite or most unique place? The most unique? hmmm...we have played many, many gigs and they were all unique in their own way, but the most unique would probably be Pebody's Coffeehouse in Moline, IL. It's a room about 12X20 and had about 3 rows of chairs in the "audience". The band took up more room that the crowd, but my little sister was there and she played tambourine and drums. I just found pictures not too long ago, boy was she a cutie! (she was 4yrs old at the time)

Bob claims Paris Hilton is trouble... do you believe this to be true or are these the words of a man scorned? Look at it this way, Nicole Ritchie, Hillary Duff, Shannen Doughtry and Nick Carter have written her off. It was only a matter of time before Bob got on board...and like he told me "never trust a woman who can BUY the city she's named after!"

The Chinese invented dynamite, what would our readers be surprised to learn that you may or may not have invented? Although I did not invent country music, in the mid 90's I introduced all my friends to it, most are bigger fans and concert goers of country music than I. Also, the "El Conquistidor" is a mighty fine sandwich/burrito combination I came up with.After a gig in Chicago, I was on a "no white four" kick and decided 9-grain bread w\ burrito fix'nswould have to fill me desire for a 3am snack!

Tell us which you prefer:

Brittney Spears or Christina Aguilara?Christina, no Federline and a better singer!

Running or biking? Running, your butt won't get sore.

Chinese or Mexican? Mexican, with extra guac!

Jeans or slacks? I like jeans, but I recently decided I would wear more slacks, so slacks today.

Live gigs or studio? Live, definitely, I love the audience, but I feel like I learn more sitting in the studio, I look forward to our next studio session.

Brad Pitt or Vince Vaughn? Vince! Brad is too good looking, I'd look better than Vince and he's a little chunky so I'd be the fit one in the relationship, what a confidence booster!

Action Movies or Comedies? Comedy! (Later Liz would gush about Space Balls and Three Amigos)

On a quiet night off Wicked Liz likes to: Go to dinner at a fancy restaurant, drink wine and relax.

You're nickname is "Wicked"... you seem fairly sweet to us, do you have any other nicknames? Lizard breath, Lizzy and others my brothers call me that I can't mention w\o offending anyone.

What's it like to work with Leo? He seems very charming: He's really easygoing and sometimes he's the mother-hen to all of us, maybe more like barista-making sure we don't let things bother us or get us steamed. He puts a lot of things in perspective for us, kinda like nice Vanilla Latte w\ Soy Milk.

Who are some of your favorite singers and bands? Sheryl Crow, Beatles, Janis, No Doubt, Otis Redding , Dolly Parton, Michelle Branch, Shania, Madonna, Lisa Loeb, Aretha....just to hit the tip of the iceberg. (We note Liz has been suggesting a lot of Otis Redding songs lately, maybe a hint of new songs to come.)

Should any of the members of this band decide to get a tattoo, what should they get? I've actually thought of getting an "L" if we get signed, or when we get a gold album. Maybe a swirl, like a big lollipop looks like- swirling from inside out.... then I remember it would hurt...so I'd let the guys go first and when it came to my turn, I'd get up, yell "suckers!" and leave!!!

You have a new DVD out, give us some thoughts on that: I feel like it's something to be oproud of, even if not everyone "loves it"...it's something most people wouldn't even try to do. there are a lot of people who don't take this, or any band seriously, and although we want people to have fun at our shows, or while listening to our CDs or DVD, we want people to realize all these projects have had lots of talented people involved....So may people besides this band have made it what it is, Lonnie and Eric on sound, Tom Tatman in the studio, Matt Engstrom, Fig doing the live recording, Jeff Wros and his crew AND his dedication on the DVD project.... we dream up these projects and we get them done! There's someting to be said for that...they are something we can proudly call our own.

Any closing words? Thanks everyone far and wide for a very memorable 2005! Enjoy your families over the holidays and make sure to come out and see us in 2006!!!

We thank Liz for her time and remind you Wicked Liz & the Bellyswirls will play Kelly's Irish Pub For New Years! Make plans to Join them! (see SHOWS page for details!)

Another shot from New Year's Eve. Thanks to Dwayne for getting so many cool pictures that night!

When we played at the Sturgis Falls celbration on June 28th we met the Still Missing Band, Dazy Head Mazy and Hello Dave. This is our friend Brooks, me, Mike, Jerry Kelly, and Magoo. Mike and Magoo are with Hello Dave. They put on a great show...so if you ever see they're playing, and we're not playing, go see 'em. But if we're playing and they're playing, come see us. But if we're both playing at the same place...don't miss it!

Bob and I took Inaba to the Maquoketta Caves State Park before he went back to Japan this summer for some hiking. He said he wanted to get a picture of me looking like I was sleeping on a rock. Is this a Japanese thing? I don't know. But here I am supposedly about to fall asleep on a rock, all for the pleasure of my friend Inaba. What the is wrong with people?

One of our group portraits by Dan Videtich. Somewhere there is a picture of Leo, Greg and I all clammered around Bob. Bob's got his shirt wrapped around his head and is standing on a chair bare chested, looking very manly. Wow was that dumb picture. What is wrong with people?

WICKED LIZ AND THE BELLYSWIRLS

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