The Brickwork Lizards are an 8-piece Oxford band that bridge the divide between Arabic and Western music. They blend oud, cello, fiddle, guitar, banjo, trumpet, percussion into musical styles from traditional Arabic and jazz to blues, spoken word and hip-hop.
“The band sound like nothing else around. They have the charm and style of the 30’s and 40’s with the haunting seductiveness of Middle Eastern music brought bang up to date with the occasional non-intrusive rap elements. The result is a ridiculously seamless and impressive sound that must be heard.” – Tim Bearder / BBC Radio Oxford
“Sometimes, the story of a good band can be told through the variety and blend of their influences. Put a new spin on something old, or make fire from a pile of old sawdust. Creating something original is often described as the holy grail for aspiring new bands, and this mantra is most certainly the inscription on the Brickwork Lizards‘ declaration. ... a fantastic, interesting and genuinely original band.” – Tom Edwards / Obscure Sounds
“The Lizards were like a breath of fresh air for the soul in a local scene that can seem top heavy with groups valuing volume, speed and attitude over musicality. It is the most charming thing you would have seen on stage in a while.” – Alistair Parr / Vimeo
“How much more splendid can a band get? Already in the short life of the band they have penned three of the most infectious hits I’ve ever heard... Their self-produced album sells out at every gig they play and to be honest, I can’t see anything stopping that happening on a wider stage.” – Paul Carrera / Nightshift Magazine
“I can honestly say I have never heard anything like them before. ‘Higher’ starts with melancholy cello and ominous keys, segues into something like The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, diverts into Russian folk, hops over to Egypt via singer Tarik’s oud, banjos and drums wrestle skiffle into jazz, before trumpets arrive and it finally bursts into Tom O’Hawk’s rhythm and rap. Parts of it sound like Rimsky-Korsakov’s ‘Scheherazade’ mashed up with Public Enemy. No, but really. Every single instrument and vocal works. Pindrop? Jaw drop. Awesome.” – HJP, Oxfordshire Music Scene
“The band sound like nothing else around. They have the charm and style of the 30’s and 40’s with the haunting seductiveness of Middle Eastern music brought bang up to date with the occasional non-intrusive rap elements. The result is a ridiculously seamless and impressive sound that must be heard.” – Tim Bearder / BBC Radio Oxford
“Sometimes, the story of a good band can be told through the variety and blend of their influences. Put a new spin on something old, or make fire from a pile of old sawdust. Creating something original is often described as the holy grail for aspiring new bands, and this mantra is most certainly the inscription on the Brickwork Lizards‘ declaration. ... a fantastic, interesting and genuinely original band.” – Tom Edwards / Obscure Sounds
“The Lizards were like a breath of fresh air for the soul in a local scene that can seem top heavy with groups valuing volume, speed and attitude over musicality. It is the most charming thing you would have seen on stage in a while.” – Alistair Parr / Vimeo
“How much more splendid can a band get? Already in the short life of the band they have penned three of the most infectious hits I’ve ever heard... Their self-produced album sells out at every gig they play and to be honest, I can’t see anything stopping that happening on a wider stage.” – Paul Carrera / Nightshift Magazine
“I can honestly say I have never heard anything like them before. ‘Higher’ starts with melancholy cello and ominous keys, segues into something like The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, diverts into Russian folk, hops over to Egypt via singer Tarik’s oud, banjos and drums wrestle skiffle into jazz, before trumpets arrive and it finally bursts into Tom O’Hawk’s rhythm and rap. Parts of it sound like Rimsky-Korsakov’s ‘Scheherazade’ mashed up with Public Enemy. No, but really. Every single instrument and vocal works. Pindrop? Jaw drop. Awesome.” – HJP, Oxfordshire Music Scene