The (Brooklyn) way of the Lordz

Although it was more than 20 years ago, The Lordz has captured the essence of 1980s New York City with its hybrid mix of punk rock and hip-hop.

If the name The Lordz sounds familiar, it’s likely you’ve heard something by the band, which has been around since the early ’90s-and longer if you count the fact that front man Mr. Kaves and his brother and partner, ADM, have been together since birth. They released their first album in 1995 as The Lordz of Brooklyn, entitled “All in the Family.”

While that album sounds a bit different from the 2006 release, “The Brooklyn Way,” the band’s debut album as just The Lordz, essentially the sound has not changed.

“Over the years it matured into a live band, and with our influences, you know, punk rock, rock ‘n’ roll, hip-hop, it’s always been a hybrid kind of thing,” Kaves said. “It just kind of developed over the years.”

Though this “hybrid” sound is not exactly obscure with bands such as Gym Class Heroes around, The Lordz have a sound that is a bit more old school. Kaves said the band’s influences range from Public Enemy to The Clash, both groups being what Kaves called “progressive and rebellious.”

“They were a voice for that generation,” he said.

Kaves grew up in a generation that was essentially defined by the atmosphere of New York, with rock club CBGB and “b-boys” on the same streets-something that makes mixing these two different genres a natural process.

“Growing up in New York in the ’80s, that’s what was up,” Kaves remarked, “Punk rock and hip-hop, back in those days, they were very much together.”

“The Brooklyn Way” celebrates this union with a cover of the KISS song “New York Groove” and the title track featuring Everlast, who joins The Lordz on a national fall tour. The KISS cover was embraced by the city’s sports’ teams and, according to Kaves, helped land the band’s documentary television series.

The show, “The Brooklyn Way,” has since gone national, airing on Fuse TV on Thursdays at 10:30 p.m.

According to Kaves, Fuse is also helping the band re-release the 2006 album, “The Brooklyn Way” with several remixes, including one with fellow hybrid band Gym Class Heroes. Also, Kaves said an episode of the reality series would be included on the new album release.

“(The re-release is) more visual, it’s musical, it’s really a piece of New York all wrapped in one,” Kaves said.

Though The Lordz are fresh off the road from the Warped Tour, something Kaves called “a dysfunctional summer camp”, the band already began touring with Everlast on September 14.

While the band has embarked on many tours in its career, Kaves is particularly excited about this one because Everlast is “a family friend” and shared in one of The Lordz’ first “on the road experiences.”

Kaves said touring has a “roller coaster” atmosphere, but added that after experiencing a world tour, it’s worth it.

“It’s pretty cool to see how music transcends all, you know, race, creed, color, you name it. It might sound cliché, but it’s something that even a broke kid from Brooklyn can actually become somebody.”

The Lordz

playing with Everlast

and R.I.A.

at Peabody’s

Downunder

Wednesday, Sept, 24.

7 p.m.

$15 in advance,

$18 day of show

Contact all correspondent Meghan Bogardus at [email protected].