Drinking Some Devil’s Whiskey with Midstokke
Saturday, July 9th, 2011
We’re not going to do this as your standard review because this Seattle based band has something that deserves to be talked about even more than their music. They have the ability to party and remember that music is meant to bridge the gap of engagement. From my limited experience with Midstokke they seem a band that realizes engaging the fans in something fun, interactive, and musically relevant will not only lead to a successful music career, but will also lead to a party each and every night they step out on the stage.
Don’t get me wrong these guys can rock their asses off and I dare anyone to stay in their seats to anything on their first album “Private Stokke” from 2005. I was asked to review their newest EP “The Devil’s Whiskey,” but I couldn’t get by the fact that it’s been a very long time since I have seen a band that knows hard rock creates a connection between the band and their fans in a way that will live on for an eternity; if done well. In the case of “Private Stokke” and their 2009 release “It’s Your Problem,” this is done very well
The band consists of “Steven Douglas (vocals), Ted Norris (guitar), Kenny Van-Dyke (guitar), Cory Olsen (drums) and namesake Fraser Midstokke (bass). Having only been around since 2004 I was amazed at the quality of their music and the fact that they have shared the stage with the likes of Aerosmith, Poison, Velvet Revolver, Kid Rock, and others. Another major accomplishment saw them winning a Battle of the Bands to earn a spot at The Sturgis Rally.
Considering Norris, Midstokke, and Van-Dyke have been friends since Junior High this is a story that doesn’t even seem possible. Once you hear the opening riff of the track “Bullet” you will know right from that point on that not only is this story possible, but it still has quite a future ahead of it.
To touch on the new EP “The Devil’s Whiskey” let’s just say it has the flavor of late 70s Aerosmith and I don’t just mean the music. A big part of what makes Aerosmith such icons is the attitude they bring to the music and the lifestyle. When you hear Douglas open his mouth and belt out the first line of “Second Chance” you realize that Midstokke drips of Rock Star. The vocals and the guitars have all the pomp and circumstance needed to sell the finely written music and the groove created by the rhythm section sucks you in and doesn’t let go. This isn’t your psychedelic hard rock; this is the grab a beer in one hand, a buddy around the neck with the other, and point your pecker at the waitress hard rock.
I don’t mean to come across as tongue and cheek, but Midstokke is old school attitude with new school methods. You’re not going to get trapped in the shoe gazing technical side of Malmsteen or the anthem Hill Billy Rock of Nickelback. What you’re going to get trapped in is one hell of a party that is going to go on for many years to come.
Midstokke really is a very unique rock band and although they do revive that 70′s hard rock sound it’s really and truly something to behold. To me “It’s Your Problem Now!!” the sophomore release by the band, shows the band evolving on a musical level. Their debut album, “Private Stokke” was crunchier and made one hell of an impression on me. The new album, I believe, has a much stronger direction and more unique style. Midstokke is fueled and powered by, Steven Douglas on vocals, Ted Norris on guitars, Kenny Van Dyke on guitars, Fraser Midstokke on bass and Cory Jones on drums. Together, this band of talented musicians served up rock music that will get your blood pumping in no time flat. As is evident from the opening balls to the wall track, “Trainwreck” and without skipping a beat, the groove laden monster, “Throttle” grabs you by the throat. From there on out, is an adrenaline ride that is guaranteed to get your rocks off. There are no fillers here; all seven tracks are rock solid. All in all, this is a terrific rock album, one of the best to come out in 2009. Unlike the bands that receive the must play on MTV and radio, Midstokke are great musicians who care about putting out innovative and enjoyable material. If you are a fan of Midstokke already or just a fan of rock music, who is tired of what’s being put out by the music industry today and yearns for the days when there was real rock everywhere, then this is definitely an album you should pick up. You most definitely will not regret it. Midstokke is the real deal, the proof is in their music.
