Glam or “hair” metal as it has been dubbed is a strange beast. Those who like it, LOVE it, but seldom do you come across anyone who sits on the fence.
A large part of that is the stereotypical sounds that most bands of the genre feel obligated to gravitate towards, meaning often such bands sound the same and compete for supremacy based more on looks than image.
“For us touching down, we’ll be like kids in a candy shop with a whole new culture to experience.”
Sam Spade
That’s my take on it anyway. I’m in the section of people who love the music too, so don’t start…
Every so often a band comes into the genre with a daring edge to their music that elevates them beyond the realms of another glam metal band, forcing their way into your musical psyche with an air of indifference and rebelliousness that is honest and sincere.
They may look the part and dress the part, and, to a certain extent, play the part, but you can sense something more sinister simmering below the surface with an axe to grind.
That band for now is US rockers The Midnight Devils who are on the cusp of their first ever trip to Australia to support the legendary Donnie Vie, original singer from Enuff Z Nuff, later this month.
In an unusual turn of events, The Midnight Devils recently completed their first international tour in support of the current version of Enuff Z Nuff, with vocalist Chip Z Nuff also working on their most recent album Beg For It.
HEAVY spoke with frontman Sam Spade earlier this week to gauge his excitement levels.
“We are ready to party,” he enthused. “There’s only one way to rock, and it’s Down Under baby. We’re coming for you Australia! We are beyond excited. It doesn’t even begin to touch the feelings that are running through us right now as we get ready.”
With this being the first chance Australian audiences will have to experience The Midnight Devils live we ask Spade what to expect.
“There is no typical show,” he smiled. “We have an idea of what we’re going to do. Going into every show we don’t write set lists, we don’t play tracks, we don’t do anything. It’s all about feel and the energy coming off the crowd. You can better believe that we’re gonna bring it. It’s gonna be makeup-clagged glitter, rubber, lipstick-smeared insanity from the get-go, and I’m telling you it’s not just on-stage. It’s off-stage as well, so prepare yourselves! You can expect loud screaming and excitement all around.”
In the full interview, Sam talks more about coming to Australia, what he is expecting, how daunting it is travelling to the other side of the world to play for the first time, what he knows of Vie and playing with him, his relationship with Chip Z Nuff, their new single Sound Of Domination and the raunchy film clip recorded live at the Whisky A-Go-Go, how they were received in Europe, being part of the glam rock scene, the rockier nature of their new music, upcoming tours, a new album and more.
