By Adam Waldman
There are bands out there that take you back in time with a sound that is a throwback to the decade of decadence that was the ’80s, but often times it is done in a way that sounds more nostalgic than current. Crash Midnight is the exception to the rule. Yes, they take you back to the ’80s, but they do so in such an authentic, passionate way that it feels like they are doing it based on their own experience of the decade. If anything, Crash Midnight is one of the few bands on the scene that has the real potential to bring the swagger and debaucherous lifestyle of the ’80s back into modern times. Of course, that’s a much tougher feat in the current climate, but that won’t stop these Las Vegas rockers from making it happen.
Had Crash Midnight been around in the ’80s, they may very well be a household name today. They most assuredly would have been discovered, given an old school record deal, and toured extensively, all the while embracing the “sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll” lifestyle that was emblematic of bands of that era. In modern times, they must deal with the constraints of what the music business has become, especially for rock bands. The big money record deals have all but evaporated due to the shift from album sales to streaming. Crash Midnight has dealt with their fair share of bullshit from the industry, but unlike many bands who wouldn’t know how to handle a necessary pivot, this is a band that has a vision for their career that most others don’t and the smarts to pull it off.
“Killing Time” is the band’s first release after newly acquiring the rights back to all of their masters and specifically, their debut album Lost In The City – which was just self-released in December 2020. It’s the start of a new chapter for Crash Midnight taking complete control of their catalog under their own banner. But that doesn’t mean that they don’t have some lingering resentment from their past experience with the industry.
Frontman Shaun Soho shared the meaning behind “Killing Time” with Hard Rock Daddy…
“It’s a sentiment I think a lot of people can relate to and our message to some of the self-aggrandizing sycophants we’ve had try to dig their claws into us over the years. When you’re in a relationship of any kind – business or romantic – with a parasite of that level, there’s a lot of resentment and emotion that builds up and ‘Killing Time’ really stabs to the heart of that.”
“Killing Time” has the swagger and lyrical edge of classic Guns N’ Roses, and the fun melodic vibe of the early days of Def Leppard. As a fan of Def Leppard before they became wildly popular, I admit to losing interest as their sound started to get too polished, losing virtually all of the edge that they had on their first few albums. This song – and the band overall for that matter – picks up where Def Leppard left off with Pyromania. Like GNR, Crash Midnight’s “Killing Time” has a timeless quality to it, sounding as fresh today as it would have decades ago.
If you want to see Crash Midnight perform this new single, along with other new material and songs from their debut album, check out their free performance on Facebook Live on Saturday, March 5th at 8pm EST. Click on this link to tune into the performance tomorrow night!
Check out the new single “Killing Time” below…
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