Lowdown Ways

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Lowdown Ways" by Lance Lopez from his 2011 album Handmade Music, and the Zoo Freaks are surely digging its gritty, soulful vibe. This track, the melancholic closer of the album, showcases Lopez’s Texas blues-rock roots with a raw edge. In a 2012 review by Hard Rock Haven, critic Alissa Ordabai described "Lowdown Ways" as coming across "more caustic than heartfelt," noting Lopez’s rapid-fire solos, though some fans disagreed, praising its emotional depth. Fans on Amazon reviews of Handmade Music have called the song a standout, with one user highlighting its "melodic tasteful lines" that stir deep emotions, showing its polarizing yet passionate reception.

Interestingly, "Lowdown Ways" also appears in Lopez’s 2016 live album Live in NYC, recorded during an electrifying Big Apple performance. A YouTube upload of the live version, posted in February 2016, captures the song’s raw energy, with Lopez’s guitar work described as "virtuoso" by Bandcamp. The song’s gritty tone and heavy beat echo influences like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix, whom Lopez often cites as inspirations. In a 2012 Guitar World interview, Lopez shared that Handmade Music was an exploration of blues roots with a rock twist, and "Lowdown Ways" reflects that blend, tipping a hat to classic blues while pushing a modern edge.

Lance Lopez’s journey into music started early, born in Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1977, with music pulsing through his veins. According to his bio on Last.fm, Lopez was drawn to music even before birth, reportedly bouncing in his mother’s womb to records by Joe Tex and K.C. and the Sunshine Band during family parties. His father’s friendship with Elvis Presley, whom he met while stationed in the Army in Germany, left a lasting mark, with young Lance watching Elvis footage at age three, sparking his dream to perform. By age eight, Lopez picked up the guitar, a Christmas gift from his father, and was hooked, passing music stores with wide-eyed fascination.

A pivotal moment came in 1987 when Lopez, then 10, heard Jimi Hendrix’s Are You Experienced. In the same Last.fm bio, he recalls mistaking Hendrix for a new artist, thinking he’d outshine Prince, only to learn Hendrix had passed 20 years earlier. This discovery, paired with his move to Dallas in 1990, cemented his path. By 14, Lopez was gigging professionally in New Orleans, jamming with seasoned musicians and touring with soul singer Johnnie Taylor and blues legend Lucky Peterson. His early mentorship under Peterson taught him band leadership and the nuances of rhythm sections, as he shared in a 2018 Just Listen to This interview.

Lopez’s career took off with collaborations alongside icons like Buddy Miles and Tommy Shannon in the Band of Trouble, blending Hendrix’s Band of Gypsys with Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Double Trouble. His debut album in 1999, co-produced by Miles, marked his arrival, followed by albums like Handmade Music, produced by Jim Gaines, known for work with Vaughan and Santana. Fans can connect with Lopez on his official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. For deeper fan engagement, check out the Lance Lopez Fan Club on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks and blues-rock lovers share their passion for his music.