Here at Heavy New York, one of our favorite things to do is to dig up rarities, outtakes, live performances and unreleased recordings of Rock and Roll’s biggest and brightest Stars. We’ve heard your requests, read your emails and are ready to meet your demands. Set for release on September 17^h, 2021, Heavy New York is pleased to announce the wait is over. The much speculated about, near mythical status “lost Looker sessions” of 1984 is found.  

Today’s Superstars, Vol. IV- Looker

The “lost EP” was never officially released back in ’84, and not even a bootleg cassette copy is known to exist. Lookers last re-issued, and remastered work was released 2012. After nine years of silence, we here at Heavy New York were skeptical when the hard drive containing Lookers “lost EP” arrived. One listen, and we knew we had the real deal. The digital file also included photos from the 1984 sessions that confirm the classic era line up to be as speculated in the press, and people close to the band: Jon Haber and Dave Schwartz on Guitars and background vocals. Al Payson (pre-Mike Murphy) on Bass, Lenny Ferber on lead vocals, and Craig “Hammer” Heitzner on Drums.

Fans lucky enough to see one of Looker’s famous live events (’83-’89) can tell you how electrifying and new it all was. Before Guns and Roses, Grunge, and the 1990’s wave of Modern-Rock bands, Looker was one of the few bands that kept Rock and Roll not only alive, but kicking, and screaming.

Our associate Mike Rock confirmed these tracks are full of the signature Looker sound, that has generated so much new interest in the band. According to Rock, Heitzner and Payson mix lighter than air funk, and hard rock, with impeccable trimming and taste. Haber and Schwartz are a songwriting and guitar playing force to be reckoned with. Open ambient voicings and dramatic key changes, make the most of to each song’s catchy melodies.  The Guitar work keeps the listeners ears pinned, just waiting to see what’s next. Shimmering clean Twelve string guitars mix with raw and ripping Guitar solos, and accents. Ferber’s lead vocals top of a perfect blend of RnR, RnB, with a touch of funk. Not enough? The Monkee’s Pop classic “I’m a Believer” gets “re-classified”. Looker rips it to shreds and rebuilds it in classic Looker style. Starting off in a slow gritty blues style “Believer” is unrecognizable. The second you settle into the lowdown groove, Looker tears the last bit of bubble gum out of the ’67 hit, going into a frenzied post punk double time tempo. This song is now a rocker that will melt your face off. Looker blew the doors off this Neil Diamond penned hit, 17 years before Smash Mouth gave it a go.

It’s been a long time. Remember when pop rock had balls, style, and great players? If that’s what you’re missing from today’s lackluster pop, look no further. Heavy New York was lucky enough to catch up with Looker

Heavy New York: Why now after 37 years?

Schwartz: We felt the time was right, and we were able to get together with legendary mixer Michael Brauer. He and Jon helped make everything pop, and was able to…

Haber: ….. auto-tune my Kahler (all laugh)

Heitzner: Your Kahler? What about my snare sound?  I couldn’t even listen to the playbacks till we got the snare sound dialed in.

Heavy New York: How long did that take?

Heitzner: Well, I am a little fussy about a properly tuned snare, so…37 years.

Heavy New York: Where was the recording done?

Haber: We did the original sessions at All Star Sound in Bloomfield NJ with Jay Vicari and Brian Bannon, right after a 4-night stint and Great Gildersleeve’s on Bowery. That’s where I lost the Allen keys for my Kahler.

Stay tuned for more updates and surprises from Looker.

Looker combines every vintage aspect of Rock N’ Roll but still brings a modern flare that appeals to any rock fan of any generation. Looker is the fine wine of rock that got better with age while always staying true to its rock roots. Looker has always been a hidden gem in the wake of everything we loved about rock from the 80s and 90s. With Looker’s sound and style, the manage to create something that takes us through good times in the past, makes us embrace the present and gives us much to look forward to in the future.