New York band, Midnight Mob, blend the sounds of punk, metal, blues, and soul. Singer Blackey Deathproof, Mickey Squeeze, Carly Quinn, and Beatz blend classic rock influences with modern day sounds to create a raspy, raw sound. To date, the band has released two EPs – 2011’s self-titled debut and 2013’s Black Moon Rising, in addition to 2014’s full-length These Days. They have also been featured on WWE Smackdown and MLB 2014 and in 2016, they will release their Honest Brutal Glorious EP. Midnight Mob is gearing up to rock the world one riff at a time.
Who are you and what is your role in the band?
My names Lor, A.K.A. Blackey. I’m the lead singer of Midnight Mob.
How did the band get started?
The band was formed by our original drummer Catastrophe when he started a side project that ended up including Mickey Squeeze. I knew both of them from High school. Squeeze taught me guitar lessons and Catastrophe played in a local band and was dating a friend of mine. Catastrophe saw me sing a backing vocal for a band he played with and asked me to do backing vocals for the side project. Eventually the lead singer quit and I attempted leads. Then the side project disbanded, which resulted in Catastrophe, myself & Squeeze. Carly was found through a local music fan at Hofstra University. He said, “I don’t know a bass player, but I know a girl that plays a little guitar and could probably figure it out”. Catastrophe later left and we found Chris Beatz (drummer) filling in for another friend’s band. It’s been the four of us ever since.
Who are your influences and how do they play a role in your sound?
I grew up in church and started attending again about 3 years ago. Gospel was always a huge one for me. Soundgarden, Linda Perry, Alice in Chains, Tori Amos, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Credence, Jimi Hendrix, Pantera, Metallica, Iron Maiden, early Black Label, Iggy and the Stooges, The Dictators, BB King, Etta James, Billie Holiday, Ray Charles, Jeff Buckley, Clutch, Prince and Pink Floyd. In my mid-teens I got big into the NYC punk scene and the energy I saw on stage will forever be slammed into my soul. I guess The passion and conviction of Gospel and blues mixed with this lonely sweet sound of soul and the classics gets smashed with metal and punk rock. Whenever I open my mouth or try to move to music one of those things is just going to explode out of me.
What has been your most meaningful experience being in this band so far?
This might sound like a cop out but this whole experience had been one BIG meaningful experience. I never sang before and had no idea what I was capable of or how to be a friend, leader, or teammate. Whether we were playing out of state to a packed house (sometimes just the bartender) or at practice kind of hating each other every day taught me something new and mind blowing. It’s been a serious blessing.
Favorite memory from a show you’ve played or a place you’ve travelled?
There have been a few. One that really stuck out was in South Carolina. We played a teen center owned by a husband and wife. We played there before and they gave CD’s out. This time the wife came up to me and said she had been a part of a group that helped soldiers deal with physical, mental, and sexual trauma they experienced. They had gone away on a retreat and the only thing they had was our first EP and they played it over and over again and thanked us saying how healing it was and how our music really made a difference. Even when you create art out of something seemingly awful it can have a really positive effect.
What do you hope to accomplish with your music?
Personally I’d like to put a positive message out there. Something that really energizes and inspires people to change their lives for the better while head banging a tad. We have this profound affect on getting people to something they always wanted to do or to get back on the horse.
Something about you that no one knows?
I’m double jointed in all my fingertips, I really wish I could have been a ballerina, and would prefer to touch people on the nose than hug them. I also know the pokerap.
What is next for the band?
In the near future we will be releasing our 2nd video “Ghosts” which we’re really excited about. On 3/18 will be in Cape May, NJ and on 3/26 we’ll be at Bull Shooters Saloon in Philadelphia. Then after those shows we will be playing Launch Music Conference & Festival in Lancaster, PA, Big Lick Music Festival in Roanoke, VA, Fashion Meets Music Festival in Columbus, OH with more in the works. You can keep an eye on our dates at www.MidnightMob.com. We will be heading out as far as WI and a bunch of places in between.
Anything else you want to add?
Check out the local music in your area. You’ll be surprised what you find and how much great music is down the block from you. We all start from somewhere.
