Can't sleep. Too much on my mind. I tried staying away from my computer, but I figured that I might as well get some shit done. One of those items was to find a new journal I can write my thoughts out, maybe get back into my writing mode. I've been meaning to get one established for a while now, but I just found tumblr, remembering it was still a thing. I figured I might as well give it a shot. Just waiting on the proper day, the proper time.

Today was as good as any, considering it is the anniversary of when I saw Van Halen perform live, at the Staples Center (when it was still THE Staples Center). That was already 13 years ago. God, I have so many memories. I wish I could say that they meant something to others, but these days.... I'm just unsure.

I’m way too chill for that to happen to me. And yet here we are. Sure let’s connect with others and let go of the desire to be perfect, but it still hurts.

It’s not even about a particular person, because I know everyones out there dealing with their own lives, and the ones who really love me, do care. But the lack of enough response when I communicate with others is getting to me. Making me feel lonelier than when I interacted with no one.

Who: New Devils Johnnie (Guitar) and Joey (Drums) New Devils are a Birmingham-based Rock band currently working on their debut album. They're already making a name for themselves with their live performances, and they are set to perform with Secret Stages veterans Ona (also interviewed here) at the most excellent Syndicate Lounge on April 29th. They were kind enough to sit down with us for a quick chat. Thanks guys, let's do this:

MO: You guys have a distinctive signature to your music. Did that come from influences or playing a lot together or a combination? Johnnie: In May New Devils will have been a band for a year now. I wrote a lot of these songs a few years ago. Joey and i started working out the kinks with another talented friend Aubrey Beal under the moniker "Somethin's Burnin” we practiced those songs to the walls for a long time. Joey met Jay while getting his prescription filled one magical day in CVS. A casual small talk eventually directed itself to music. I’m sure that they both lit up like Christmas lights and instantly became BFF's. Jay told Joey about a few projects he's played bass for. Joey wastes no time inviting him over to practice and thus began his musical courtship. Bass players are like the prettiest girl at the bar. She can practice with whomever she chooses. After the first practice with Jay I think we all kind of felt different. we knew that it was special and we all felt responsible for getting it out in people’s ears. I think our sound is a direct result of each one’s own experiences and tastes. I think each member’s approach at developing a song is what mutually delights and surprises not only us but our listeners as well. Joey: I think that between the three of us there is a healthy diversity of influences, safe to say we all appreciate a healthy range of music. It has also helped that we have put our work in with building the songs and rehearsing them.

MO: Speaking of influences, what was on the box at home growing up? Johnnie:  ELO, Boyz II Men, Silverchair, Mariah Carey, The Beatles, Lauryn Hill, Bright Eyes, Refused, Johnny Cash, At the Drive-In Joey: Fugazi, Pearl Jam, Bad Brains Jeff Buckley, Beastie Boys, Robert Johnson, The Beatles MO: Eclectic mix from both of you, I like it.

MO: Can each of you run down your gear selections for the gear heads out there? Johnnie: I'm a simple man, A vocalist first, and a guitarist second. I don’t use a lot of pedals outside of a tuning pedal and a booster foot switch that comes with my amp. My amp is made by a local wizard by the name of Sam. "samamp" it says in classic sans serif lowercase font on the top center of the grill. It's tones and volume for size are unparalleled. I play a Mexican Fender Telecaster that when i bought at 18, it was powder blue. Since then my friends at Pyrose Woodworks (Jeffery Salter of Banditos and Katie DiGappa) have wood-burned a beautiful Llama piece on the front of it. Joey: I play on a Catalina Gretch drumkit with Sabian cymbals

MO: Being natives of the Birmingham area how have you seen the music scene change over the years? Johnnie: This place has changed so much since i was old enough to drive to a show. There has always been a propagation of talent even when outlets and venues weren't as available. DIY venues of my youth helped tear down cultural barriers and build respect for one another. I remember being at Cave9 so packed in that you had to breathe with the crowd to have enough room to inhale your next breath of foggy sweat. That kind of passion and love for art of all kinds has only been nurtured since then and our city is in bloom again. Joey: Well I remember when the only paces to really play were the high note the nick and maybe your average house party. I think when you had places like cave 9 and Bottletree open it really changed everything. Before you know it, there are always bands playing always a show to go see and always some friends putting a bill together. Not to mention the healthy amount of influence we were all getting from watching these bands come in and play from out of town...huge bands...not so known bands just weird ambient stuff sometimes. It was just nice to know that you could go any night of the week and possibly get influenced in a huge way. MO: In the 17 years I've been in Birmingham it's like the city has turned a complete 180 in so many ways with the music scene being one of them. I love it.

MO: What's the feel of your upcoming LP? Is it like the tracks you have out now? Johnnie: Our live show is what songs will be on the record.  There may be one or two worked in on the record that we've not played out yet. As for the feel, I would say it's an eclectic mix of songs ranging from slow heart-felt soul to foot-tappin' head-noddin' beer drinkin' Rock-N-Roll.

MO: While definitely rock there's a bounce to it that has pop sensibilities, are you guys fans of the Replacements? Johnnie: Nope Joey: I started listening to Let it Be and Pleased to Meet Me a few years back and really got into them.

Thanks guys, looking forward to the show and the new record.

-JS

**Photos by Darrell Nance

post-script:

Here’s a couple videos from the Audiovore’s Spectra Sonic Sound Sessions