Kevin Bronson on October 27th, 2009

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By Viktor Phoenix

Fresh off a handful of dates at CMJ, Australian throwback dance-rock band Midnight Juggernauts played a special Dim Mak show at the Roxy on Monday night before heading overseas. As they showed at Coachella 2008, the Juggies proved that they are much more akin to Norwegian synth-rockers 120 Days than they are to Justice, who once declared Midnight Juggernauts their favorite band and took them on tour.

In fact, Midnight Juggernauts are conceptual opposites of the French duo. Where Justice mixes wall-of-sound guitar samples into their anthemic, dirty electro and their 909s out of virtual Marshall stacks, Midnight Juggernauts take a more traditional approach – it’s danceable bass guitar-and-drum rock.

Obviously touring the world with Justice hasn’t hurt Midnight Juggernauts, because what was once a dance-rock shtick has evolved the darker, angry little brother to the French electro giants. Like any good record-collecting snob, Midnight Juggernauts musically name-check most of the greatest moments in dance rock, including Neue Deutsche Welle and Italo disco.

Make no mistake though: Midnight Juggernauts are a band. This was no DJ-and-light show, or smoke-and-mirror trick. The thunderous drums and chunky bass guitar filled the backline, while pop synth lines and dystopic vocals led the way. Despite the mix at the Roxy being too loud for the room (the sound at the Roxy always tends to be a bit too loud), the occasional guitar inclusion made for a visceral, ear-shredding dance party.

However, it is just that disparity between Midnight Juggernauts and Justice that reminds us exactly what’s lacking here. Justice creates huge, memorable anthems, whereas songs like “Tombstone” and “This New Technology” are
driving and danceable, they aren’t memorable, and many of the songs last night tended to blend together into a mass of pulsing synths and vocoders. They sounded great, but overall they remained lifeless and lethargic.

Viktor Phoenix is an occasional contributor to Buzz Bands.