They’re rough and tough with a down and dirty sound they can’t wait to throw in your face.
They’re called Midnight Alibi, a rock band from Albury Wodonga and vocalist James Oswald answers the questions we were almost too afraid to ask.
Your EP 'Love Yourself Sick' comes out in September. What can you tell us about this record?
This new record has a few different elements to it; it has more soul and feel to it yet still has that rock & roll edge that our last release, 'Preach It', had; for people that haven't heard us before we sound like classic '80s rock meets '90s hard rock.
Is the new material a progression from your debut album?
In short, yes it is. Although we still are and consider ourselves a new band despite this being our fourth recording to be released. Since our first EP, the band has been constantly changing; saying that we have our own sound and we don't steer away from that, we work at it and are always chasing that rush we get from music.
You say rock & roll isn't what it used to be. How has it changed and what is Midnight Alibi doing about it?
Rock & roll is always going to be here; I grew up listening to The Doors and Elvis and didn't realise that every other kid out there wasn't, some were sure, but not everyone is fortunate. The words rock & roll and the way people reacted to the music was intense. You were a rebel. Nowadays, you go to Kmart or Target and there's shirts that have rock & roll in bright, glittery colours with a tween icon on it. It doesn't have that same meaning. It's cheap. It's a fashion statement with a 'party-on dude' attitude. How are we going to fix it? I don't know, we just play it.
Is your band name a reference to the 1934 film by Alan Crosland?
No, although after the band was around for awhile I became aware of the film and watched it. Great film, the film title is alright, haha.
What is your long-term vision for the band?
Midnight Alibi has a good future ahead; we don't set unrealistic goals about luxury penthouses in the Bahamas with three pools and private jets or anything... Never thought about that in detail at all. We make and play music and plan on continuing to do so.
Hardest thing about being the frontman of a rock band?
Being a human instrument and looking after my health. Not an easy thing to do in a rock band.
Craziest show you've played to date?
We played a house party not too long ago; things you wish you could do at venues happen at house parities. I actually enjoyed it so much I now live in that house with the set-list still stuck to the wall.
What are some essentials the band won't travel without?
Poker chips and a deck of cards; you never know when you might need fuel money.
Do you have any pre-show traditions?
I like to sing 'Rock On' by David Essex and have some time to have a drink with the guys.
Midnight Alibi Tour Dates
Fri 11 Sept - New Globe Theatre (Brisbane)Sat 12 Sept - Coolangatta Hotel (Gold Coast)
Fri 18 Sept - Musicman Megastore (Melbourne)
Sat 19 Sept - Cherry Bar (Melbourne)
Fri 25 Sept - The Basement (Canberra)
Sat 26 Sept - The Stag And Hunter Hotel (Newcastle)
Sun 27 Sept - Frankie's Pizza (Sydney)
Sun 4 Oct - Convoy For Kids (Albury Showgrounds)
Fri 9 Oct - Enigma Bar (Adelaide)
Sat 10 Oct - Exeter Bar (Adelaide
Sat 17 Oct - Yah Yah's (Melbourne)
