I’m assuming Midnight City is the “fictionalized New York-esque metropolis” where the band/gang members of Drakulas survive(d in the mid to late 70's;). It’s also the third album by this Austin TX based, concept driven supergroup. Not really sure if I’m supposed to out these dudes but their secret identities include members of Riberboat Gamblers, Rise Against, High Tension Wires and even fucking Gwar!?
Anyone invested in their backstory will appreciate the evolution here further straying from the garage rock (and what I have referred to before as the Denton sound) of their first record, 2016’s Dirtnap-released Raw Wave, leaning more into the synth-y post-punk of their second album Terminal Amusements, released by Canada’s Dine Alone in 2020. Influenced by punk’s second wave- which has not been “new” for awhile now- the sound isn’t pastiche or cliché but more like a hyper stylized version of rock’n’roll from an alternate reality, like the upside down from Stranger Things but with more sex and drugs.
I have to be careful because sometimes when bands/music reminds me of other bands/music it doesn’t necessarily sound like that band (or music). I’m still trying to get past that the vocals remind me of Ian Astbury from gothic hard rock band The Cult. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing- I have first hand knowledge that Ian is a legit punk! I once witnessed him and my wife acapellla duet on Crass’ “Banned From The Roxy” but any similarity here is more likely just Killing Joke frontman Jaz Coleman’s influence on both vocalists. I think the production kinda turned me off at first but the more I listen the more I’m into it... I think I maybe get it more. It's got a New Romantic influence but with that Texas garage punk edge. Stand out track for me “Singing With My Tongue Cut Out” reminds me of criminally underrated LA punks Maniac (R.I.P.)
