The Sure-Fire Midnights

"The Sure-Fire Midnights killed it as usual. They are a tight and ferocious live presence, one of the best rock acts in Perth, and the fact they they're not nationally renowned as yet is a mystery for the ages. It takes a brave band to the follow The Sure-Fire Midnights on stage."
Travis Johnson - Xpress Magazine - X-Press Magazine

By Shane Pinnegar

Perth’s Sure Fire Midnights are a 5 headed rock n’ roll medusa with enough glamour, melodies, riffs and attitude to propel them onto the world stage.



“Strike At Midnight” is the bands’ second full length album, though the first in 4 years, and the first with the current line-up of Clair Sargeant vocals, Kylie Soanes drums, Lady Evil lead guitar, Sharni Pearson-Misich rhythm guitar, Abby Soanes bass - which has been stable for a couple of years now.



Over the course of the nine tracks on offer there are AC/DC head shakers, Status Quo-like boogie stompers, Joan Jett-styled cage rattlers, and a whole lot of Sure Fire Midnights’ unique personality.



The title track is a classy rocker featuring some clever lyrics from Sargeant, ‘Too Hot To Touch’ features some great lead work from Lady Evil, the two ‘Over The Edge’s (different songs, same title – cheeky!) are barnstormers, ‘Let It Go’ is a pure oestrogen-fuelled anthem that sees Soanes the elder beating the hell out of her drum kit in fine fashion.



“Strike At Midnight” ticks all the boxes with catchy songs, a big sound, classic rock references, tasty licks, attitude to burn – not to mention that 5 hot chicks with guitars is never a bad look to be sporting. Get it, turn it up, rock out.

- The Rock Pit

"What the hell is in the water in Perth these days? For a town once known as the most isolated city in the world it seems to have developed a rock scene all of it's own. Long gone are the days when guys named Faulkner and Salmon stalked the stages but the seeds planted 30 years ago seemed to have borne fruit. Now, it's just too easy to say I did chicks playing rock'n'roll. And that would be doing The Sure-Fire Midnights a complete disservice cos "Over The Edge" is just a kickass song, with Clair Sargeant's vocals ripping the paint off my noggin and leaving an indelible mark. I've heard them described as "Glucifer with Miss Gorgia Peach of the Short Fuses singing" and I'm sure they wouldn't mind the comparison but have a listen to the great songs on their Myspazz page. And then order their two records. And when they make an appearance in your neck of the woods go and see them. Tell them an old man, up north, recommended them" Dave Champion - Stockholm Sweden.
— Dave Champion, Up North/Down Under compilation - Bootleg Booze Records - Bootleg Booze

Some of the members of the Surefire Midnights have been playing shows around town since they were wee tackers back in the '90s, but even considering this experience there is no way of explaining the brilliance of this new incarnation other than to say every element just works. Quite simply, these young lasses have come together to form one of the most impressive new bands Perth has seen in a helluva long time, and one that could quite rightly go on to do some amazing things this year and beyond. Avoiding every single thing that can turn an all-girl band sour, the Surefire Midnights were completely spot-on: The songs were relentless and catchy, the musicianship outstanding, and the vocals a far-cry from that fucked up 'I'm a woman but I sing like a car accident' approach that spells the downfall of many female rock / punk singers. It might sound naff, but as powerful as the Surefire Midnights are they don't overdo the masculinity thing, and although they play with absolute balls (call me shallow but low-slung guitarists and full-body drummers look fucking cool) it was obvious you were watching women play, rather than men (or women emulating men). The band looked relaxed and comfortable, the crowd got right into the band, and everything fell naturally into place, creating a mind-blowing introduction to both the band, and the night. - X-Press Magazine, 2006

In their quickfire set, the Sure-Fire Midnights showed they have a rock & roll attitude straight from Bon Scott's book. Just like Scott, these girls obviously love doing what they do and it's hard not to get caught up in the infectious good time they create while on stage. They play catchy punk rock reminiscent of Sahara Hotnights and The Donnas and their short, fast and stabbing tracks easily keep the attention of the early but gathering crowd. The band's inner friendship creates a united force with which they use to take over the stage, helped along with their energy and attitude. Not only are the Midnights a band to look out for, they are also carrying the torch for that rock & roll attitude. - Fasterlouder.com.au, Feb 2007