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Still working on that hot first release.
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Rock n’ roll sometimes seems like a lost cause, slowly going the way of bell-bottoms and New Coke. However, once in a blue moon, a band like Midnight Reruns will come along and restore our faith in the cleansing power of guitars, drums, melody and of course, a good story. Their to-the-point self-titled debut LP — out Tuesday, November 12, 2013 on Good Land Records — is the manifestation of everything these guys hold dear when it comes to music.
Midnight Reruns is Graham Hunt (Vocals, Guitar), Karl Giehl (Guitar, Vocals), Brady Murphy (Bass, Vocals) and Sam Reitman (Drums) and damn, do they have a grasp on what music is all about. Formed in 2010, they’ve been paying in the Midwest regularly since. In doing so, they have developed a stage presence that could best be described as “aggressive slack” — not posing, not shoegazing, just throwing it down. They posses real working-class rock attitude that’s equal parts melody and driving double-guitar attack. Midnight Reruns hits audiences with instantly memorable tunes that, in a perfect world, would be blaring out of car radios everywhere.
Their self-titled debut LP doesn’t strive to replicate their live show, but neither does it attempt to be a slick studio project. Instead, they went to their buddy Dan McMahon’s rural studio on the outskirts of Rockford, IL, and over four days captured what is most endearing about the music they play — their love of harmony, hooks and genuine passion for what they do. Toronto’s Jon Drew (Fucked Up, Tokyo Police Club, Direct Hit!) ably sorted it all out in the mixing and mastering phases, with Justin Perkins (Screeching Weasel) chipping in by mixing the first two tracks on Midnight Reruns.
Songs such as “Going Nowhere,” “Chewing Ice” and “T.V.Z.” will remind you of why you started buying records in the first place – that indefinable sense of excitement, of wanting to turn the stereo up as far as it’ll go and sing along. As well, there are moody, contemplative tunes like “Grand Slam” and “Signals From the Blue” that stick in your head in the manner of classic ballads from down the ages. The entire second half of closing track “Basement Guy” consists of an epic jam that few others could get away with.
Midnight Reruns are one of those bands that make discerning listeners rejoice in the pure joy of rock n’ roll. Do yourself a favor and be one of those listeners.
Keith Brammer
Die Kreuzen bassist and Milwaukee legend
July 4, 2013
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