The Real Lazy Genius began with Patrick Wieland (Guitar, Piano, Vocals) and Dan Wier (Drums, Percussion, Vocals), who were inspired to write, play and record their own original music when they were attending high school. Jon Bruha (Guitar, Vocals) joined the group as a collaborator and brought his tube-driven wall of sound with him in 2008. Their first official release "Strange Plains, Dark Grooves" was released in 2009. At the Grand Rapids based event Prospecto which took place in 2010
the band opened for Sub Pop group/Low side project Retribution Gospel Choir which was a highlight for the band. A special 7" single for the song "Let It Spill" with new song "Golden Light" was released in late 2010.
"Lazy Genius' new album, "Strange Plains, Dark Grooves," unleashes singularly riveting melodies and hooks that stick in the cranium for a long time, owing in part to influences ranging from The Beatles to The Flaming Lips to The Dead Milkmen.
Lazy Genius can get psychedelic, inventive and rock the rafters all at the same time"
John Sinkevics, Grand Rapids Press
"One would be surprised to hear that Lazy Genius is a local band. On "Let it Spill," the first track off Strange Plains, Dark Grooves, the band sounds more like it was part of the British Invasion. Immediately after, it switches gears and produces a gritty track ("Random Places") that one would swear came from Seattle. Lazy Genius plays with its listeners' ears throughout the album, switching from melodic, pop-tinged rock, to grunge and guitars, to opera-esque rock ballads ("Black & Blues"), the band keeps listeners in suspense with every track change".
Lindsay Patton-Carson, Revue Magazine