If rock'n'roll is about lost love, alcoholic stupors, death, and a snotty attitude, then the Murder City Devils are the epitome of rock'n'roll. With their third full-length instalment, In Name and Blood, about to explode into the ears and hearts of fans everywhere, this Seattle sextet are embarking on a mission of global domination.
The state of rock'n'roll today? The band retorts: "It sucks." When asked if they consider themselves a punk or a rock'n'roll band vocalist Spencer Moody replies, "When people ask us, we say that we're a late '70s, New York punk-influenced band, which is totally true, but what we're really trying to take from it is the spirit." Tapping that raw spirit is what makes the Murder City Devils so vital, and why they recently opened up three sold-out, 18,000 capacity shows for Pearl Jam. Spencer sums up that unique experience with, "It was the most scared, the most adrenaline [-filled] and the most excited I've ever been in my entire life all at once. It was such a thrill looking out at all those people, like, All right, I'm here to entertain you, I'm here to fuckin' do it and I'm gonna fuckin' kick your ass!' I didn't want to give them an opportunity for even a second to get bored. I wanted them to be, Damn, what's this guy gonna do?'"
Guided by a motto "to have fun and get away with as much shit as possible," rock'n'roll appears to be the closest thing to religion that the Devils have. With their latest effort, In Name and Blood, Spencer's guttural howling is as excruciating and enjoyable as ever. With the recent recruitment of Leslie Hardy on keyboards full-time, the songs transform into something sinister and add to the band's eccentricity. Whether they are rocking the establishment with their tongue-in-cheek demeanour, recording bone-splitting music, or performing yet another unforgettable live show, the Murder City Devils are destined for drunken fun and rock'n'roll revelry.
The state of rock'n'roll today? The band retorts: "It sucks." When asked if they consider themselves a punk or a rock'n'roll band vocalist Spencer Moody replies, "When people ask us, we say that we're a late '70s, New York punk-influenced band, which is totally true, but what we're really trying to take from it is the spirit." Tapping that raw spirit is what makes the Murder City Devils so vital, and why they recently opened up three sold-out, 18,000 capacity shows for Pearl Jam. Spencer sums up that unique experience with, "It was the most scared, the most adrenaline [-filled] and the most excited I've ever been in my entire life all at once. It was such a thrill looking out at all those people, like, All right, I'm here to entertain you, I'm here to fuckin' do it and I'm gonna fuckin' kick your ass!' I didn't want to give them an opportunity for even a second to get bored. I wanted them to be, Damn, what's this guy gonna do?'"
Guided by a motto "to have fun and get away with as much shit as possible," rock'n'roll appears to be the closest thing to religion that the Devils have. With their latest effort, In Name and Blood, Spencer's guttural howling is as excruciating and enjoyable as ever. With the recent recruitment of Leslie Hardy on keyboards full-time, the songs transform into something sinister and add to the band's eccentricity. Whether they are rocking the establishment with their tongue-in-cheek demeanour, recording bone-splitting music, or performing yet another unforgettable live show, the Murder City Devils are destined for drunken fun and rock'n'roll revelry.
