Whether it’s at an open mic, a local event or blasting through the fields at carnival, no band brings infectious energy to Algonquin’s student body like Lizard People. 

Composed of Class of 2023 graduate Daniel Boush, junior John Oliveira and sophomores James Trask and David Allexenberg, it’s hard not to be interested in their music and even harder to define the genre of the music.

“We have this joke where we say we’re a fifth wave experimental post-shoegaze emo indie punk band,” Oliveira said. “But we’re really a jazz quartet at our core.”

The idea for Lizard People was sparked when Oliveira approached Allexenberg and asked him to jam, and he has taken a leading role in the band’s affairs ever since then.

“I play drums and run everything,” Oliveira said. “I also write the songs and do some vocals. Sometimes I talk or scream.”

While learning to sing is an ambition of Oliveira’s, Boush currently takes the lead in terms of vocals. Previously, Boush participated in another Algonquin-based band called Autumn Roots, which was a completely different experience.

“Autumn Roots was very driven by our guitarist, Ben [Guggina], where in Lizard People it’s very driven by John on the drums,” Boush said. “It gives a different sound and energy to the music, which is cool.”

Boush also plays guitar in addition to Trask, whose first experience with being in a band comes from Lizard People. Trask is also skilled at art and takes the lead whenever something needs to be designed, such as the band’s merchandise or the cover for their first EP.

“[Our first EP] is just called Lizard People,” Oliveira said. “For the next one, we’re working on it… I’ve written all the instrumentals.”

The name “Lizard People” came into existence when the band was still just Oliveira and Allexenberg. With the help of a random name generator, Allexenberg came up with twenty band names (some highlights being “Goopy Gobblers,” “Lil Nas X 2,” “It’s My Turn on the Playstation” and “Bada Bing Bada Boom”) before finally settling on Lizard People.

“I didn’t like Lizard People at first,” Oliveira said. “But I thought about it for the rest of the week until I thought, ‘That’s the one.’”

Allexenberg’s naming abilities are just the beginning of what he contributes to Lizard People. He plays bass and regards himself as the band’s emotional support, and according to Trask, he sometimes doubles as a rapper.

“Sometimes David gets on the mic and starts spitting absolute bars,” Trask said.

Allexenberg is also known for his ability to pick up his parts of songs the fastest. Though he is a standout in efficiency, the whole band agrees they are quite productive when it comes to putting everything together.

“These guys are my friends, so I want to hang out and be a goofball,” Trask said. “But we also have to get on our grind and get stuff done.”

For the majority of the band, performing is one of the best parts of being in Lizard People. Boush, who is accustomed to performing due to his experience in theater productions and other performing arts, finds it thrilling every time he is on a stage.

“It’s a unique thing to have an entire room of people’s attention on you,” Boush said.

For Oliveira, performing is relaxing because he knows his parts so well. For Allexenberg, Lizard People serves as a welcome departure from the seriousness of other forms of music performance. For Trask, the unexpectedness and high-energy nature that makes Lizard People so popular with Algonquin audiences is the most remarkable part of performing.

“I like just being up there and being really loud,” Trask said. “It’s unexpected because we’re playing at school [events]. It’s just something else. You’re up there in your own world. It’s crazy.”