Lisa Guyer, (vocals/guitar) is very simply, one of the best vocalists/performers you will ever hear or see. Ask anyone in her hometown of Manchester, NH, ("Actually the town I grew up in, my home town, was Pembroke/Allenstown. That's where my parents still live... hey no stalking!") or anyone who has her CD's or has ever seen her perform, and the response is nearly always the same; "I don't know why she hasn't made it."

A fair question to be sure and the answer would definitely not be a lack of talent or effort or experience. Lisa's first public performance at the age of four, was part of an event put on by her musical family, and she quickly became the star of the many local shows they produced. "My memories of these shows with my fathers family are minimal because I was so young. But I know the joy that I feel to this day when singing and performing, is due to the laughter and love that I witnessed and experienced with them."

Lisa's mom, Lil and dad Harold, can always be seen dancing at Lisa's shows. Always the first up and last to sit. No other parents on earth could ever be more supportive. You'll see this spry couple at many Mama Kicks shows...you can't miss them. "I consider myself very fortunate to have these two people as my parents. They are a big part of the reason why I am who I am today."

Lisa made her first appearance with a working band at the age of fourteen. The band was called "City Limits," and from that point on Lisa's heart and soul has been on the stage. "These guys were around 5 to 10 years or so older than me. (20 to 25) I remember thinking of them as old. Just recently I was reintroduced to the drummer. He manages the Music Mall in Manchester. He doesn't seem so old to me now!!!!"

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In 1978 she won the series championship on WBZ-TV's Community Auditions singing, "You Light Up My Life." The following year her parents paid for the "You-too-can-be-a-star," deal at AAA Recording in Boston. Lisa recorded three songs for a demo, two covers and one of her own compositions. "My parents actually borrowed money from family members. This recording cost $400.00 - $100.00 from each. Promising them some sort of compensation if I "made it". Well obviously I didn't "make it." I hope that money hasn't been accruing interest all these years or I'm in trouble."

1982 was the year Lisa joined her first full time band, Slayer, and shortly thereafter formed her own band, Lisa Guyer & The Gig. "Slayer; …the heavy metal band, Slayer, was nowhere near even formed at the time we decided to call ourselves Slayer. Nor were we anywhere near a heavy metal band! Looking back on choosing that for our name… I don't know what we were thinking!! Name aside…I gained a lot of performance confidence in this band. Lisa Guyer & the Gig was the band that started moving things forward for me. We played better gigs more consistently."

One of their "gigs" was as an opening act for a well-respected local rock band called Section 8. "This gig was at "The Place" in Manch-vegas! I remember watching Ken Cloutier, the front man for Section-8, come out in a white lab coat with a clip board in hand. He was "Quality control for rock and roll" He acted everything out as a character of some sort. He was crazy! They all were crazy, funny and talented. Little did I know at that time that I would soon be a part of that crazy band"

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Growing a tad road weary by 1988, Lisa was approached by Gardner Berry to join his newly formed "Classics' Showband" as one of many featured vocalists. She was apprehensive about the house band format, but started making regular appearances on nights when her band wasn't working. The audience response was overwhelming and in a very short time, Gardner and the owner of the club, Paul Labbe, convinced her to get off the road and be the only full-time featured vocalist. "These ended up being some of the best years of my life. Classics was a beautiful club . This was all quite different than I was used to. First of all I was a featured performer not the lead singer. I went from singing and performing 3 hours a night to 2 twenty minute sets! Quite frankly it freaked me out a little! But as time went on I quickly learned that it was tremendously better.

The Classics Showband!

She quickly became the talk of the town and in 1990 caught the attention of "Poison" drummer Rikki Rokket. He arranged for her to go to LA and record a three-song demo for Capitol Records. Sadly for them they elected to pass on the deal and Lisa was back in Manchester bringing audiences to their feet night after night.. "This experience with Rikki Rokket was eye opening in many ways. He helped get me a demo deal from Capitol records. So when the time came I flew out to L.A. and recorded 3 songs in Rikki's studio at his home. I was there 3 days . It was an awesome experience! He was a really nice guy. I got to ride in his red Ferrarri…hee,hee,hee! They were all very positive out there, speaking in terms of when, not if, I got signed. I thought the demo was great! He did a great job producing it. But I learned an important lesson about this business. Its not necessarily money or who you know … it's timing … this wasn't my time. Oh well. Back to the drawing board."

In 1991 Classics closed it's doors for the last time and Gardner & Lisa took the renamed "Wicked Big Band" to a new venue where they continued to dominate the local music scene. "Looking back now, these were also good times for me. Not in the same way as Classics though. In moving to the Yard we had some member changes. Some good some bad. Either way there was always a slight underlying tone at the Yard. Nothing anyone really was aware of, but it was there. I met a lot of nice people while we were at the Yard. Some of them musicians. Let me think… one in particular that stands out to me now… Mr. David Stefanelli ! Look at us now!"

When managerial head-butting at the Yard became too much to bear, the band was let go in 1994, and Lisa & Gardner went out and played as a duo. They simply billed themselves as "Lisa Guyer & Gardner" until one night after a particularly strong performance at a local bar, a somewhat inebriated patron yelled out, "Mama Kicks!" It made them both laugh at the time, but a few weeks later they were printing up new business cards. "When we first talked about calling ourselves Mama Kicks, I didn't like it . I felt like every time I said, 'Good evening everybody, we're Mama Kicks'. I was really saying … 'Good evening everybody, I think I'm the balls ! It just made me uncomfortable. But my friends told me to get an ego and shut-up! Now people call me Mama Kicks like it's my name. That … I'm okay with."

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The name and the duo caught on, and on one summer night in a tourist-filled bar on Lake Winnipesaukee, Lisa was introduced to Barry Goudreau, guitarist for the legendary bands, "Boston and RTZ." The two discovered they had much in common musically and in 1996 they began co-writing songs that would be released the following year on the first Lisa Guyer Band CD entitled "Gypsy Girl."

"Barry Goudreau … I can't say enough good about this man! The experiences I've had with him are priceless to me. I've learned so much from him, writing and recording the 2 CD's. He always gives me such free range when we're in the studio recording. I hadn't done a lot of recording when we first met. But I felt he had confidence in me, so why shouldn't I."

Lisa kept busy for the next two years touring with her own band and working steadily with Mama Kicks. In 2000 she and Barry released a follow up effort, "Leap Of Faith," which was well received by fans and critics alike.

"Gypsy Girl" The LP by Lisa Guyer Band Purchase Gypsy Girl CD Here! View Cart / Checkout

"Leap Of Faith " The 2nd LP by Lisa Guyer Band Purchase Leap Of Faith Here! View Cart / Checkout

To order Gypsy Girl and/or Leap Of Faith by mail:
Send Check or Money Order in the amount of $15
(plus $2 S+H per CD) to:

LGB CD
262 Cohas Ave.
Manchester, NH 03109

Please make checks payable to “Lisa Guyer” and remember to let us
know which CD you would like.

:)

Lisa's good friend, Sully Irna of Godsmack is one of her biggest fans. Sully asked Lisa in 2007 to come to LA and sing on the song "Hollow" from the Godsmack 4 LP. "What a blast I had. I just love Sully and his music. I am so glad he asked me to join in on the vocals for Hollow. I actually got to sing it live with Godsmak when they toured the area. Sully had a private dressing room set up for me with candles and just everything to make me feel special. What a time I had. I just loved it and love him for asking me."

Lisa adds her vocals to the "Godsmack's 4" LP.

Performing in Mama Kicks is a blast! Lisa, Gardner, Chris and David always keep the vibe fresh and fun. Expect a great summer 2007 from the band. "I'm so excited about the band! I feel nothing but great things for our future together. I'm blessed to be playing with 3 of the most incredibly talented and funny people on this web site … I mean … in this business! XOXO." - LG

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