The Midnight Flyers

The Midnight Flyers - Out Of The Blues - 2007 - The Midnight Flyers

"Blues rock with genre-bending stylistic journeys into and "Out of the Blues" © http://cdbaby.com/cd/themidnightflyers

Not to be confused with the British blues rock group Midnight Flyer, or the Australian Midnight Flyers, the Texan/Californian/Missouri Midnight Flyers play a rockin' blues style that has evolved into a sound all their own. Out of the Blues, is a good example of that style, and the album is an enjoyable mix of blues rock, country, and funk. The band are obviously trying to make their mark on the blues scene. They are a talented outfit, and produce some well written songs. There is nothing groundbreaking here, but this album is worth buying. The Midnight Flyers are the type of band that could really progress with a little promotion. Keep your eyes open for any future releases by this band.

TRACKS

01 - Highway 99
02 - Bartender
03 - I Play the Blues
04 - Down Low
05 - Too Much Beer
06 - Money's Gone
07 - Steppin' Stone
08 - No Destination
09 - Hardtime Blues
10 - Vertigo
11 - Dump That Chump

Tracks 1, 2, & 6 composed by Freel, Midnight Flyers, Tuttle: Tracks 3,7,8, & 10 composed by Freel, Midnight Flyers: Tracks 4,5, & 9 composed by Midnight Flyers, Tuttle: Track 11 composed by Estrin

BAND

John Freel - Bass guitars, mandolin, acoustic, vocals
Mark Tuttle - Guitar, vocals
Chas Benedict - Drums, percussion, vocals

PRESS ARTICLE

"The Midnight Flyers: 'This is what we do' : - For two long years they worked on their first album; now they are ready to show the public what they are all about. Mile after mile, you gotta keep it between the lines. You're bound to lose your mind, rolling down Highway 99. Trains on the left, 18 wheels on the right. You're bound to lose your mind, rolling down Highway 99. Any Merced County resident might relate to those lyrics. And a group of three locals has written, performed and put the track "Highway 99" -- along with 10 other tunes -- onto a new CD. The Midnight Flyers describe themselves as a blues-inflected rock band. "Or a rock-inflected blues band," said drummer Charles "Chas" Benedict, 55, of Merced. "We haven't figured it out yet." Whatever their inflection, Mercedians can see them in action at the band's CD release party Dec. 29 at the Partisan. This 3-year-old group's album title "Out of the Blues," plays off the Midnight Flyers' fascination with airplanes. Its members liked Castle Air Museum being so close, and they display the old Strategic Air Command base in CD cover photographs. Although the band rarely tours outside the Valley, its songs have already reached Germany, Italy, France, the Virgin Islands and Scotland through Internet sales, said Mark Tuttle, who plays guitar, sings vocals and has also written many of the band's songs with bassist John Freel. Kansas City, Mo., even got to hear "Highway 99" recently on the Internet program "Road Rash Blues Show." And during a Sunday afternoon practice in Tuttle's "Studio D" practice room, the three musicians whipped that same song into shape for their upcoming show. Tuttle calls the practice room behind his Winton home "Studio D" for obvious reasons. "I've already had a 'Studio A,' 'Studio B' and 'Studio C,' " he said. The 52-year-old started his musical career as a drummer at age 10 before moving from the Bay Area to the Valley around 1971. At that time he switched his focus to the guitar, and later attended the Guitar Institute of Technology, Sacramento campus. "Out of the Blues" is the third CD he's worked on out of the five bands he's played with. Freel, now 47, was only 7 when his mom -- who was a huge influence on his musical career -- asked, "Which instrument are you going to play?" He took guitar lessons until age 10, when he began playing on his own. His family moved to the county in 1967, and in 1989 he began playing with what he called a "rockin' Christian band" at Yosemite Church. Freel, a Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle School sixth-grade math and science teacher, then joined up with a bunch of teachers at the school to form the band, The Drug Sniffing Dogs, which later became Staff Infection. He met Tuttle and some other musicians at Star Club, and they formed the blues band Night Train. After that group lost its drummer, Benedict stepped in. They changed its name to the Midnight Flyers. "About 2004, this band jelled," Freel said. "Same sound as Night Train; a lot of the same stuff." About two years ago, Tuttle participated in the former Rudy's Jazz & Blues Club's "Battle of the Jams." The top prize was 24 hours of studio recording time. "I showed up, played two or three songs and smoked the house," he said. In other words, he won. His band planned to use his prize to record a couple of songs. However, 24 hours just wasn't enough -- try more than 200 hours over two years. And the Midnight Flyers' first CD "Out of the Blues" was born. It's sound and song subjects don't follow any theme, despite its cover and title's numerous references to flight. "The CD is just to say, 'this is what we do,' " Freel said. "West Coast electric blues." The band has natural chemistry, Tuttle added. And its members hope that chemistry mixes well with the Partisan's new hip crowd". © DHYANA LEVEY, © MercedSunStar.com www.mercedsunstar.com/220/story/100153.html

ABOUT THE MIDNIGHT FLYERS

The Midnight Flyers - Band formed August 5, 2004. The Midnight Flyers have a style heavily rooted in the blues, ranging from slow to up tempo and rockin’. Their sound hints at George Thorogood, ZZ Top, and Robben Ford. Gritty vocals, attacking guitar riffs, and a solid, rhythmic groove give this three-piece the ability to please any audience. The members of The Midnight Flyers have come together from a variety of other local bands to create a solid bond with a tight, well crafted sound. Their latest CD, titled “Out of the Blues”, has been getting extensive airplay around the US and around the world and has been featured on a host of internet radio stations. Each track has been extensively road-tested, slowly evolving to the recorded versions found here. Their tight background vocals add a pleasing foundation to the mix. Band Members - John Freel (The Doctor): Bass guitars, mandolin, acoustic, vocals. John’s gritty whiskey voice, and solid bass lines help form the backbone of the band. Born in Austin Texas, he brings over 15 years of experience playing the bass in local bands. John has also enjoyed the opportunity to sit in with bands in Canada and Europe, as well as various locations in California. Mark Tuttle (Too Tall): Guitar, vocals. A passionate and intense player, Mark’s smoking tone gives him great versatility with a guitar. Originally a drummer in Bay Area bands, he honed his guitar chops through GIT extension programs. Mark has played in many local bands, winning talent contests, and a “battle of the jammers”. His experience includes over fifteen years of playing clubs, and he has opened for such bands as John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, Coco Montoya, and Walter Trout. Mark’s unique solo style has been given positive reviews by Bruce Iglauer of Alligator Records. Chas Benedict (Thunderhoof) - Drums, percussion, vocals. Coming out of the San Diego music scene, Chas brings a unique style of drumming to the band. His Latin percussion studies and his work with the Merced College jazz band, combine with his rock 'n roll and blues background to provide a distinct flavor to the rhythm. Chas has also taken his craft into the theater providing the beat for local productions at Playhouse Merced and the Merced College Theater program. © http://cdbaby.com/cd/themidnightflyers