Midnight Panic
Midnight Panic… I’m not talking about the other night when I woke up in a panic from my Nyquil induced sleep because an alien monster was about to zap my body and steel my very being. No, not that kind of midnight panic; but rather Marky Chavez’s (formerly of Adema) band Midnight Panic.

Wednesday night, even though I wasn’t feeling very well, I got to tag along with NL out to a ranch in Rosedale where Midnight Panic practices. The ranch consisted of a very beautiful, spacious, two-story home with a pool, Jacuzzi, and property that went farther than I could see in the dark and fog, and a studio full of state-of-the-art equipment in the back of the house by the pool where Midnight Panic perfects their amazing music on a regular basis. Not many local bands have the opportunity to have someone with ‘money’ believe in them and back them; but not many local bands front men have been in Marky Chavez’s shoes and gone where he’s been in the music industry either. But don’t let the surroundings fool you. Marky Chavez and the guys of Midnight Panic are some of the most down-to-earth and friendliest people you will ever meet. However, they are serious musicians who are serious about their music and where they’re going, which is out of this world baby to rock n’ roll heaven.

I was sick, and seemed to be getting sicker by the minute, but I wasn’t going to let that keep me from meeting Midnight Panic and hearing their music. The lady of the house served NL and myself hot tea as we sat with Marky Chavez at a patio table during the band’s break between sets. I’m not usually a tea drinker, but I thought maybe the hot tea would help my throat and keep me from spontaneously combusting into a coughing fit in front of a real life ‘rock star’. That would have just been way too embarrassing!

I sat and listened to Marky Chavez talk. He had just finished reading NL’s book Lords: Part One, and he was excited to talk about the book. Like me, he wants to read Lords: Part Two now! But NL is holding out. I think he was considering tying NL up and forcing him to let him read it off his computer or some other dastardly thing. Marky Chavez also talked about Midnight Panic and their music and the future. His kind of excitement is contagious. His kind of enthusiasm gets things done in the music industry. I wish I could bottle up his excitement, enthusiasm and energy and give it as Christmas presents to all my favorite local bands in town.

Break time was over and I carried my tea with me into Midnight Panic’s studio and prepared for a private concert.

“Want some earplugs? It gets loud in here.” The owner of the ranch asked.

I took the earplugs even though I don’t usually mind loud music as long as I like the style of music. I sat there in the intimate setting of that studio; practically inside the band and let the music of Midnight Panic surround me, wash over me, affect me and I liked their music very much. They’re talented musicians. A very tight band that plays together and practices all the time and it shows. Marky Chavez has a unique sounding voice that appealed to me and went well with their style of rock music. I sipped my hot tea and tapped my feet in time with the music and watched Marky Chavez dance and sing his heart out as if he was singing to thousands and not just me, NL and a couple band friends. Marky Chavez and Midnight Panic is going places. I can’t wait to see them perform for an audience.  posted by Matildakay at 7:44 PM