The Midnight Devils ~ Something Bigger
What would you say if I told you that legitimate Glam/Sleaze/Party Rock/Boogie Woogie bands were still popping up in the USA? What if I told you that a few short weeks/days ago I ran face first into a band from Omaha Nebraska that’s waving this flag harder than most of the veteran bands left in the scene?! Hold my drink bitch and watch this!
If you haven’t snorted your brains completely out, you just clicked that link and introduced yourself to The Midnight Devils. If not, do it, you don’t wanna miss ANY of this Glam SLAM madness – not a second of it, no sir, you sure as shit don’t wanna be on the outside looking at us cool kids! Judging by the band’s first single, “Pink Halo”, the band is proudly waving the flag of Glam/Slam/Boogie and good timin’ Metal. It’s all about the glitter, the make-up, the chics and the ROCK – that’s never a bad thing! As previously mentioned, the band hails from Nebraska, which is quite cool for me, I don’t exactly look at NE as a hot spot for much of anything aside from Corn & Football. So the fact that there’s a Glam band in NE that’s laying it down harder than most of my heroes from the 80’s is fantastic! And did I mention that they’re a 3 piece?! Not many of these band’s around these days!
The band’s debut entitled “Something Bigger” is an 11 track ass-ripper dedicated to all things ROCK. “Bleed Betty Bleed” is a perfect example of what you can expect throughout the album – blistering leads, 4 in the floor ass-shaking rhythms and some fierce story telling as “”Betty” is now living that Rock Star life. This track also has a bit of a Punk feel as do several other tunes, but it’s not enough to label the band as Glam Punk, nothing wrong with that, but the Glam aspect/feel is just too strong to not parade around like a new stripper girlfriend.
“Absence Of Light” is another highlight that features more serious fret-board wizardry, this time it’s accompanied with a super melodic riff that could’ve easily been lifted off of Tigertailz’ Young & Crazy album. Next up we have the band’s theme (I’m sure) “Midnight Devils” – it starts off very much like the Crue’s “Red Hot”, then it shifts into a Glam Slammin’ anthem crammed with “Woahs” and even more kick ass guitar riffs – I don’t care who you are, this tune will get you up and movin’! There are several more killer tracks to be soaked up – “No More” – (Van Halen riffs galore!), “Memphis Mile” – (killer Boogie Woogie vibes ooze from the speakers on this one.) – a swingin’ tune, no doubt! My personal favorite off the disc is “Baptized By The Radio”, a mid-paced number and one that I’d consider the most heart-felt off the album – that’s due to my having LIVED every lyric of the song. It’s extremely moving – I have to listen to it twice or more every time it pops up. It’s 100% truth for most all kids that were “Baptized By The Radio”! It’s a sure fire anthem and a hit to me!!!
In closing, I’d like to point a few more vibes/influences that I hear in The Midnight Devils – I have to – it’s a chance for you to check out possible new-to-you bands! It’s also an honor to bands that came before. With the Devils, their influences/sounds are deep and most the influences I hear aren’t talked about much at all anymore. Number one, Wrathchild (UK) is a big influence heard here, not only due to singer/bassist Spade’s vocals, but his approach/annunciation is very similar to a young Rocky Shades. Diamond Rexx is another band that comes to mind, after jamming this disc for the past few days, its got me pumped to pull the first 2 D.R. records down off the shelf. A few more influences are littered throughout as well – New York Dolls, The Ramones, Early Tigertailz and shades/moments of Pretty Boy Floyd’s career. I gotta say, I come across bands all the time due to still playing in one myself and going down the rabbit hole of youtube/the internet every chance I get looking for GOLD, but few bands I find hit the way The Midnight Devils do – these 3 dudes got that “it” factor when it comes to Glam/Slam and not many bands are doing it in America these days! This is a beautiful band of make-up wearing dudes that serve it up hot and nasty just the way the kid likes it. If you haven’t checked them out, what the hell are you waiting for?! The band was actually on tour with the legendary Quireboys before this Pandemic broke out, the tour has been cancelled. So if you find yourself moved by their tunes, go to the site and grab the disc or a bundle, it’ll be in your box in a few days – this ain’t a costume to The Midnight Devils this is a lifestyle… GLAM SLAM BANG BOOM BOOGIE WOOGIE ROCK N’ ROLL FOREVER!
~Black Angel
share this
sign up for b.a.p. updates
BAP sign up
Independent and Unfiltered Rock and Roll