Clymer's Midnight Walk, a band that steadfastly refuses to be categorized to any specific musical genre, has been recording music together for the past five years. However, as a result of playing few live shows, the band has largely been hidden under the radar until now.
"After shying away from bars and clubs we now feel that we are ready to play live, and have enough material to play for a couple hours," said lead vocalist Brian Delahoy. "We have worked on a live show for over a year, and now feel confident that we can be adequate entertainers."
Delahoy, whose day job includes assembling engines, spends his evenings writing lyrics and perfecting his vocal performance. The band also features guitarist Paul Harris, a funeral director, drummer Tom Sawyer, who owns a print shop, and bassist Chuck Lasher, a DJ at a nudist colony.
Article Photos
Midnight Walk is, from left: Paul Harris, (seated) Tom Sawyer, Brian Delahoy and Chuck Lasher.
Submitted photo
Even though the quartet refuses to pick a genre, it has accumulated a large quantity of about 60 original songs, and a huge backlog of riffs and lyrics waiting to be united. The songs cross the spectrum of R&B, rock, blues, rockabilly, punk, heavy metal, hair band, Caribbean, soul and more.
"I've been playing in bands since I was 18, and I'm 62 now," said Delahoy. "Up until 2001 it was all covers; that's when Paul and I decided no more. We're doing all originals. Our lyrics might get a little bit naughty, primal, mystic, sensual, and all the other elements you want in rock 'n' roll and especially blues but we don't get vulgar."
According to Delahoy, the band's main goal isn't to become famous or do a national tour, it is to sell its original material to professionals. But, he realizes that in order to get noticed, the band needs to be heard. That's why those interested in seeing Midnight Walk perform live should look into the band's performance at the Cutting Festival, scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m. in the village of Cutting, located on Route 474 West between Clymer and French Creek.
"We will be debuting our live show on the stage of the Cutting Festival, and I'm so excited that you can hardly hold me down," said Delahoy. "Our rock and blues show will resonate throughout the village of Cutting, and will make you shuffle your feet and clap your hands. Please join us in our initial foray into the spotlight of the live music world. You'll be able to tell your grandkids, 'I was there when it all began for these guys.'"
A few members of the band were originally in Dust N' Bones. Delahoy and Harris released an album entitled "Black Hole of Love" in 2005 before taking a year-long hiatus until Midnight Walk was formed. While listening to the new project, fans of Dust N' Bones will find the same gritty goodness that the single "Black Hole of Love" offered.
"Paul came up with Midnight Walk because he wanted something a little spooky," said Delahoy, "something with an edge to it because our music is like that. We're a little bit dark. If you check out our poster we've got a graveyard with a zombie walking across and dragging a guitar. It has a few headstones with sayings on it, including 'Here Lies Dust N' Bones, 2005 - 2010, Playing Music was not an obsession... it was an incurable disease!' For us, music is a release."
To watch the band performing live at a benefit for Harris' daughter when she was diagnosed with leukemia, visit youtu.be/FY0Xr0DhLBo. To purchase a CD, email mrlyricn4n@hotmail.com. Or for more information, search for "Midnight Walk" on Facebook.