Interviews: The Midnight Devils

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Rock 'N' Roll band The Midnight Devils from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

Sam Spade – The idea came from an album title from Sniper and I’s previous band. The album was just called Midnight Devils. We added “The” on the beginning just like The Rolling Stones, The Who, and The Ramones. The name comes from that feeling you get as the sun goes down on a Friday night. The feeling that anything is possible and there are some wild times about to go down.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Sam Spade – I grew up listening to KISS and The New York Dolls. Then I joined a couple punk rock bands and played in an 80’s cover band for many years. This is just a natural combination of punk rock, heavy metal, glam, and old school Elvis-influenced boogie woogie. It’s exciting because very few bands have done what we are doing.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Sam Spade – Sniper and I played with each other for many years in our previous band. We have a great relationship and a great vision. I knew Jimmy Mess before I met him but we got together at The Rocklahoma Music Festival in Pryor a year or so before The Midnight Devils were around. I thought he was cool and a complete rock n roll monster. We called him to fill in on a tour and we’ve been best friends ever since.

4. Each band member favourite band?

Sam Spade – KISS Chris “Sniper “

Hineline – Van Halen

Jimmy Mess – The Ramones

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Sam Spade – The songs came about very naturally and were all written about real events happening in our lives at the time. They are relatable because this stuff actually happened. The name of the album Something Bigger came to me a few minutes after I got fired from a job I had at a radio station. I just kept saying “there’s something bigger coming”. Not to mention it’s a great sexual innuendo.

6. Where was your last gig?

Sam Spade – The last show we did was in Pekin, IL in October at The Rock N Skull Festival. The place was packed and went crazy. We are leaving in a month to join up with the legendary UK sleaze band The London Quireboys on the final leg of their US Tour.

7. Where would you like to act?

Sam Spade – Personally I can’t wait to take this show over to Europe. I think European audiences are geared more towards rock n roll music still. In the USA it’s still a fight every night to get people out to shows.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Sam Spade – I would love to do a tour with Faster Pussycat or LA Guns. Those guys really set in motion everything we are still doing.

9. Whom not?

Sam Spade – I don’t think there’s anybody we wouldn’t play with. As long as bands are cool to us we are generally cool to them. We aren’t scared.

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

Sam Spade – I think stage fright is a great thing that needs to be embraced and not covered up or dealt with. If you practice enough you take that adrenaline, stress, and anxiety and put it all into the performance. The crowd wants you to succeed so you create this very positive energy and turn the room into your own party place.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Sam Spade – I come from a very rock oriented background. I grew up on classic rock like AC/DC, Thin Lizzy, and Cheap Trick. I also love punk bands like The Misfits, The Clash, and The Ramones. After that I dove head first into glam and I absolutely love Bowie, The Dolls, and T. Rex. Also 80’s bands like KIX, Motley Crue, and Guns N Roses.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Sam Spade – One night a lady came to the merch table and asked for my autograph on her shoulder. I scribbled my name in marker thinking nothing of it. The next day she sent me a picture with my signature tattooed permanently on her skin.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Sam Spade – Our fans are amazing and I am eternally grateful for everyone of them. They come to party and get into trouble. They dress up and set the stage for us to do what we came to do.

14. What do you think of our site?

Sam Spade – Your site is amazing and is definitely keeping rock n roll alive. You are giving people the freedom to express themselves and that is the ultimate in my book.

15. Something add?

Sam Spade – Thanks for the great interview. Check out our debut music video for the single Pink Halo and keep an eye on us to be touring in your area soon. We are crossing most of the USA this year and will hopefully making a trip to Europe in the fall.