Here are Midnite Snaxxx!

Tina Lucchesi is my favorite rock n' roller for a variety of reasons - not the least of which being that she might actually agree with my statement that the Real Kids' "All Kinsda Girls" and the Dictators' "Stay With Me" are the two greatest songs ever recorded. Even though she's Italian and I'm of British stock via Virginian hillbillies, I'm pretty sure she could be my long-lost older sister. I don't think she's ever played on anything that I haven't full-on head-over-heels loved. Now she's back with another group (by my count her 57^th), Midnite Snaxxx. Don't you just love it that the band name references food?! There truly is something to be said for a band that loves vegetarian nachos and Cheap Trick records with an equal fervor. And if you're predicting typical Tina-band awesomeness from this Oakland trio, you would be very much correct. Dig!

Midnite Snaxxx are Tina on drums, the great Dulcinea Gonzalez (formerly of the legendary Loudmouths) on guitar, and Renee Leal of LaTeenos on bass. These gals bring back fond memories of the "budget rock" strain of garage punk that ruled the Bay Area in the '90s. If you like early, "Firecracker" era Bobbyteens, you're gonna cream your jeans for Midnite Snaxxx! Talk about a supergroup! The Loudmouths were freaking awesome - hands down one of the best punk rock n' roll bands of the '90s. If they'd been on a "hipper" record label, they would have been worshipped. They probably should have been anyway. And although Tina is one of the most dynamic performers I've ever seen on lead vocals, it's really cool to hear her drumming again. Tina and Dulcinea together are everything you'd expect and then some. Raw Deluxe issued the band's debut single, "Like Lightning"/"Giving Me the Business", late last year. Copies are surely hard to come by at this point. I fully advocate resorting to all necessary means in order to secure one for yourself. Even if it involves murder or public nudity, you could not be blamed. The record is everything a 45 should be: two killer, short-and-sweet songs that leave you wanting (much) more. "Like Lightning" is classic powerpop with tons of raw energy and filthy low fidelity. B-side "Giving Me the Business" comes on fast and furious but keeps it catchy. Maybe it's a little more Loudmouths than Bobbyteens, but for sure it's 100 percent Midnite Snaxxx. Classic stuff all the way! A new 7", "Guy Like That" b/w "Jackie", is now out on Total Punk Records and sure to sell out in short order. And if you're without a turntable, do not despair. There are some top shelf M.S. songs currently playable on-line. "Spend the Night", with its trashy garage punk meets '60s girl group vibe, is vintage Tina tuneage. And if you're more inclined towards rockin' powerpop/punk, "Heart Full of Doubt" will hit 'ya right where you like it! Boom Boom! I loved Top Ten and Deadly Weapons, but I gotta say this is the coolest Tina band since the Total Babes. And did I just read that there's a full album coming out later this summer?! For reals? A Midnite Snaxxx LP? NICE!! Barring the unforeseen announcement that a Steak N' Shake franchise is coming to town, this will be the best news I get all year! I'm counting the days, girls. Could I possibly be disappointed? Not a chance in hell!

- L.R.

http://www.myspace.com/midnitesnaxxx
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