Ludacris’ Lazy Band

Who says a rock band can’t play rap? Local trio Lazyeye will soon become the first act signed to the Atlanta hip-hop label, Disturbing Tha Peace. The label, a subsidiary of Def Jam South, is best known as the recording home of Ludacris. How did the signing come about?

“As an executive, you are always looking to expand and be progressive,” says Chaka Zulu, CEO of Disturbing Tha Peace. “We believe that this is a good fit.”

To launch this new partnership, Lazyeye recorded a rock remix of Ludacris’ “Get Back,” the first single from his new album Red Light District. The group will also perform the song with Ludacris on “The Spike TV Video Game Awards” (Dec. 13), “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” (Dec. 14), and “The Late Late Show” (Dec. 15).

Lazyeye, formed in 1996, then resurfaced after a three-year hiatus in 2002 with new frontman Paul-Devon Lewow. But despite their years on the scene, they’ve managed to fly largely under the radar. Earlier this year, however, they were in the midst of a bit of controversy when they lost the 2004 Miller Lite Band Competition. Fans protested on 99X’s “The Don Miller Morning Show,” which invited the band into the studio for a second competition. This time they were up against Too Far Gone, a local band of middle school teens, who were ultimately crowned the winners. Because of this, the Atlanta Music Guide bequeathed Lazyeye with a “Most Catastrophic Gig” award. But, with the new signing and the upcoming appearances, all of this seems to be behind the band. The guys in Too Far Gone, on the other hand, are probably still doing homework.

In the group’s last show before heading to L.A., Lazyeye plays with Family Force Five (formerly The Phamily) at 10 High Sat., Dec. 11. 9 p.m. $7.