Night Beats
{{Short description|American psychedelic/garage rock band}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Night Beats
| image = Night Beats Danny Lee Blackwell.jpg
| caption =
| origin = Seattle, Washington, United States
| genre = Garage rock, psychedelic rock, soul, surf rock
| years_active = 2009 — present
| label = Fuzz Club, Cooking Vinyl, Heavenly Recordings
Trouble In Mind
The Reverberation Appreciation Society
| website = {{URL|thenightbeats.us}}
| associated_acts = White Light Fever
The UFO Club
Night Sun
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
| current_members = Danny "Lee Blackwell" Rajan Billingsley
| past_members = Tarek Wegner
James Traeger
Jakob Bowden
Evan Snyder
Sam Thorne
}}
Night Beats are an American psychedelic/garage rock band, that formed in 2009 in Seattle, Washington.
The band currently consists of lead singer and guitarist Danny "Lee Blackwell" Rajan Billingsley{{Cite web |url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/writer/627098234/BILLINGSLEY%20DANIEL%20RAJAN |title=ACE Title Search |access-date=2021-12-12 |archive-date=2013-03-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130306032310/https://www.ascap.com/Home/ace-title-search/index.aspx#/ace/writer/627098234/BILLINGSLEY%20DANIEL%20RAJAN |url-status=dead }} as the only permanent member. Founding member drummer James Traeger has only played intermittently with the band since 2016, original bassist Tarek Wegner left in 2014 and his replacement, Jakob Bowden, left the band sometime in early-mid 2018.
History
Danny "Lee Blackwell" Rajan Billingsley had previously fronted various bands in his hometown of Dallas, Texas including The Old Explosives, White Light Fever and Medicine God Box.{{Cite web|url=http://mail.okcthunder.info/artist/Danny+Rajan|title=Danny Rajan | OKC Thunder Music - Feel the Thunder!|website=Mail.okcthunder.info|access-date=30 December 2021}} With White Light Fever, who were initially called Japanese Auto Clinic,{{Cite web |url=http://thesub-rosa.blogspot.co.uk/2007/08/heavy-passionate-blues-of-white-light_12.html |title=The Sub-Rosa: Heavy: The Passionate Blues of White Light Fever |access-date=2016-09-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915160917/http://thesub-rosa.blogspot.co.uk/2007/08/heavy-passionate-blues-of-white-light_12.html |archive-date=2016-09-15 |url-status=dead }} he released debut album Heavy Knife Blues in 2007 and the band were reportedly courted by Columbia Records. A second album Count All Your Father's Wealth was seemingly abandoned.{{Cite news|url=https://www.dallasobserver.com/music/white-light-fever-readies-new-cd-while-battling-those-underage-blues-7075033|title=White Light Fever Readies New CD While Battling Those Underage Blues|first=Pete|last=Freedman|newspaper=Dallas Observer|access-date=30 December 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestranger.com/seattle/gimme-that-old-time-innovation/Content?oid=1973656|title=Gimme That Old-Time Innovation|first=Dave|last=Segal|website=Thestranger.com|access-date=30 December 2021}} He also worked with The Tempers, playing live with the band and contributing a guitar solo to one track on their debut album Vol. 1.
Raised Catholic and Hindu, Billingsley moved to Seattle to study comparative religion at the University of Washington. Leaving Dallas, which he saw as "a wasteland of music", he founded Night Beats in 2009. Named after the Sam Cooke album 'Night Beat',{{cite web|last=Maguire |first=Paige |url=http://austinist.com/2010/04/09/austin_psych_fest_preview_for_the_b.php |title=Austin Psych Fest Preview: For the Benefit of Mr. Night (Beats) |website=Austinist.com |date=2010-04-09 |access-date=2014-01-09}} the solo self-recorded Street (Atomic) EP was released that year via Holy Twist Records.{{Cite web|url=http://www.arbobo.fr/night-beats-street-atomic-ep/|title=Night beats : Street (atomic) EP | arbobo|website=Arbobo.fr|access-date=30 December 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/21mE0XfIOJ1K2FYSMWTxlS|title=Street (Atomic) EP|date=26 October 2009|access-date=30 December 2021|website=Open.spotify.com}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2009/08/06/tonight-in-music-night-beats-sunn-o-fatal-lucciauno |title=Tonight in Music: Night Beats, Sunn O))), Fatal Lucciauno - Line Out - the Stranger |access-date=2016-09-08 |archive-date=2017-12-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202215203/https://www.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2009/08/06/tonight-in-music-night-beats-sunn-o-fatal-lucciauno |url-status=dead }} After trying out a couple of different lineups, he asked high school friend and former B.B Mercy drummer James Traeger who was studying in Austin, Texas{{Cite web |url=http://m.staugustine.com/surf-drift/2012-04-16/night-beats-deliver-raw-beautiful-psychedelic-rock#gsc.tab=0 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2016-09-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917024510/http://m.staugustine.com/surf-drift/2012-04-16/night-beats-deliver-raw-beautiful-psychedelic-rock#gsc.tab=0 |archive-date=2016-09-17 |url-status=dead }} to move to Seattle to join Night Beats. After working together as a duo for a few months, they recruited bassist Tarek Wegner in January 2010 and played their first gig in March of that year at a house party in Seattle.{{Cite web|url=http://doyouevenpsychedelic.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-quick-interview-with-night-beats.html|title=Do You Even Psychedelic? : Night Beats Interview: Tarek Wegner talks the gear of Sonic Bloom!|website=Doyouevenpsychedelic.blogspot.com|date=7 December 2013|access-date=30 December 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://diffuser.fm/night-beats-interview-2013/|title=Night Beats Discuss Vintage Recording Techniques On New Album 'Sonic Bloom'|first=Devon|last=Antonetti|website=Diffuser.fm|date=17 October 2013 |access-date=30 December 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://scenewave.com/2014/08/q-a-night-beats/|title=Q & A: Night Beats|website=Scenewave.com|access-date=30 December 2021}} Wegner, originally from Tacoma, Washington, had previously played with The Drug Purse and Paris Spleen.{{Cite web |url=http://www.northwestmilitary.com/music-and-culture/features-and-columns/2013/02/MUSIC-CRITICS-PICKS-feb-8-12-tacoma-olympia-Pat-Doherty-Andre-Nickatina-Jake-Shimabukuro-Night/ |title=MUSIC CRITICS' PICKS: Pat Doherty, Andre Nickatina, Jake Shimabukuro, Night Beats - Music - Northwest Military - Home of the Ranger, NW Airlifter & Weekly Volcano |access-date=2016-09-08 |archive-date=2016-09-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917222301/http://www.northwestmilitary.com/music-and-culture/features-and-columns/2013/02/MUSIC-CRITICS-PICKS-feb-8-12-tacoma-olympia-Pat-Doherty-Andre-Nickatina-Jake-Shimabukuro-Night/ |url-status=dead }}
Night Beats toured extensively early on, completing multiple North American tours during 2010 and were signed within weeks of self-releasing the H-Bomb EP. Picked up by Chicago's Trouble in Mind Records (Ty Segall, Fresh and Only's, Hex Dispensers, etc.).{{cite web|author=Troublemakers |url=http://www.troubleinmindrecs.blogspot.com/ |title=Trouble In Mind |website=Troubleinmindrecs.blogspot.com |date=2012-03-15 |access-date=2014-01-09}} The re-release of the EP topped several college radio charts competing with other Artists' full-length efforts. (September 6, 2010){{cite web|url=http://www.kdvs.org/thirty |title=Top 30 Albums | |website=Kdvs.org |date= |access-date=2014-01-09}}
On June 28, 2011 the band released their self-titled debut album via Trouble In Mind.{{cite web |url=http://www.troubleinmindrecs.com/bands/nightbeats.html |title=Night Beats | Trouble In Mind Records |website=Troubleinmindrecs.com |date= |access-date=2014-01-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109023054/http://www.troubleinmindrecs.com/bands/nightbeats.html |archive-date=2014-01-09 |url-status=dead }} They also released a split EP with The UFO Club on the Austin label The Reverberation Appreciation Society. A split single with TRMRS was released in June 2012 via Volcom Vinyl Club.{{Cite web|url=https://nightbeats.bandcamp.com/album/night-beats-trmrs-volcom-split|title=Night Beats/TRMRS Volcom Split, by Night Beats|website=Nightbeats.bandcamp.com|access-date=30 December 2021}}
On September 24, 2013, the band released their second album "Sonic Bloom" via The Reverberation Appreciation Society.[https://www.picdora.com/instagram/levitation] {{dead link|date=January 2014}} They toured North America, Europe, Israel, South Africa and Australia in support of the album.
In late 2014, Tarek Wegner left the band. With no announcement regarding his departure, it only became apparent when new press shots were released with a different bassist.{{Cite web|url=http://instagram.com/p/xPVsRKS6TG/?modal=true|title=@thenightbeats on Instagram: "#TarekWegner "The Nothing" single coming soon on Burger Records. Tarek will no longer be playing or performing with Night Beats. Goodbye,…"|date=18 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218024821/http://instagram.com/p/xPVsRKS6TG/?modal=true|access-date=30 December 2021|archive-date=2015-02-18}} Shortly after he released an EP entitled "What Colors Last" via Burger Records featuring the now deceased musician Joshua Vega and the full length self released album "Soul Fuckers" {{Cite web|url=https://tarekwegner.bandcamp.com/album/soul-fuckers|title=Soul Fuckers, by Tarek Wegner|website=Tarekwegner.bandcamp.com|access-date=30 December 2021}} in 2015 along with a west coast tour with Tomorrow's Tulips.
In 2015, the band signed to London-based label Heavenly Recordings and released their third album "Who Sold My Generation" in January 2016. The album featured Black Rebel Motorcycle Club member Robert Levon Been on bass, who also co-produced the album.{{Cite web|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/night-beats-who-sold-my-generation|title=Night Beats - Who Sold My Generation|website=Clashmusic.com|date=8 February 2016 |access-date=30 December 2021}} The band recruited Jakob Bowden to tour the album.
In September 2016, the band embarked on a UK/EU tour without drummer James Traeger. Throughout 2017, drummer Evan Snyder toured with the band.{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxesmagazine.com/backstage/ones-to-watch-the-entire-universe|title=ONE'S TO WATCH: THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE — FOXES Magazine|date=29 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129004426/https://www.foxesmagazine.com/backstage/ones-to-watch-the-entire-universe|access-date=30 December 2021|archive-date=2018-01-29}} Through a US tour supporting Black Rebel Motorcycle Club 2018, Jonah Swilley played drums with the band.{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/|title=Login • Instagram|website=Instagram.com|access-date=30 December 2021}} Traeger's absence from tours hasn't been commented on or acknowledged, but was rumored to be temporary. In May 2018, the band embarked on a tour of Spain and France, with Evan Snyder again replacing James Traeger on drums. Evan Snyder continued to drum for Night Beats until 2020. Bassist Jakob Bowden left the band in 2018 and was replaced by Los Angeles musician Sam Thorne.{{Cite web|url=https://www.photosconcerts.com/night-beats-paris-point-ephemere-2018-05-21-12977|title=NIGHT BEATS, Point Ephémère (PARIS) - 2018-05-21|website=PhotosConcerts.com|access-date=30 December 2021}} In July 2018, the band (Rajan Billingsley and drummer Jonah Swilley) performed as a duo at the Social in London, England.
On January 28, 2019, the band released their fourth album Myth Of A Man. The album was recorded by Billingsley with producer and Black Keys frontman Dan Auerbach. For the sessions, Billingsley was backed by a cast of old time session musicians who had worked with the likes of Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin. Perhaps explaining the absence of founding member James Trager, bass player Jakob Bowden, drummer Evan Snyder and bassist Sam Thorne, the official press release states that the album was "written during a particularly destructive period of the band"{{cite web|url=http://heavenlyrecordings.com/new-music-album-announcement-night-beats-myth-of-a-man/|title=NEW MUSIC & ALBUM ANNOUNCEMENT: Night Beats 'Myth Of A Man'|website=Heavenlyrecordings.com|access-date=30 December 2021}}
In late 2020, Blackwell signed Night Beats to Fuzz Club Records. Outlaw R&B, the fifth Night Beats studio album was released on June 4, 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://fuzzclub.com/blogs/news/night-beats-announce-new-album-outlaw-r-b|title=Night Beats announce new album 'Outlaw R&B'|website=Fuzzclub.com|access-date=30 December 2021}} A live album, Levitation Sessions, was released via The Reverberation Appreciation Society in August 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://shop.levitation-austin.com/blogs/news-and-events/levitation-sessions-night-beats|title=Levitation Sessions : NIGHT BEATS|website=Shop.levitation-austin.com|access-date=30 December 2021}}
In 2022, Danny teamed up with Carolina Faruolo (ex-Los Bitchos) to release the Tropicalia influenced album Monte Carlo on the Seattle based Suicide Squeeze Records.{{Cite web |title=Monte Carlo |url=https://suicide-squeeze.myshopify.com/products/abraxas-monte-carlo |access-date=2023-02-16 |website=Suicide Squeeze |language=en |archive-date=2023-02-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216223059/https://suicide-squeeze.myshopify.com/products/abraxas-monte-carlo |url-status=live }} He also has a collaborative project called UFO Club, with Christian Bland from the band the Black Angels. [https://levitation.fm/blogs/news-and-events/rvrb-003-the-ufo-club-night-beats-split] Notably, the song "Right/Wrong," was the official song of the Melbourne Queer Film Festival in 2022.
On April 12, 2023, it was announced that Night Beats sixth studio album Rajan on Suicide Squeeze will be released in July. [https://www.psychedelicbabymag.com/2023/04/night-beats-announce-new-album-rajan.html]
Band members
=Current=
- Danny "Lee Blackwell" Rajan Billingsley - Vocals, lead guitar
=Former=
- Tarek Wegner - Bass
- James Traeger - Drums
- Jakob Bowden - Bass
- Evan Snyder - Drums
- Sam Thorne - Bass
Discography
=Studio albums=
- Night Beats - 2011 (Trouble In Mind Records)
- Sonic Bloom - 2013 (The Reverberation Appreciation Society)
- Who Sold My Generation - 2016 (Heavenly Recordings)
- Myth of a Man - 2019 (Heavenly Recordings)
- Outlaw R&B - 2021 (Fuzz Club Records)
- Rajan -2023 (Suicide Squeeze Records)
=Singles/Splits/EPs=
- H-Bomb 7" - 2010 (Self-Released)
- H-Bomb 7" - 2010 (Trouble In Mind Records)[http://troubleinmindrecs.com/purchase.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100823230832/http://troubleinmindrecs.com/purchase.htm|date=August 23, 2010}}
- H-Bomb EP (iTunes) - 2010 (Holy Twist){{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/street-atomic-ep/id337224209 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403133825/http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/street-atomic-ep/id337224209 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 3, 2011 |title=iTunes Store |website=iTunes |date= |access-date=2014-01-09}}
- Night Beats/UFO Club Split 10" - 2011 (The Reverberation Appreciation Society)
- Night Beats/TRMRS Split 7" - 2012 (Volcom Entertainment/Resurrection Records){{cite web |url=https://store.volcoment.com/vevc |title=Volcom Entertainment - Vevc |website=Store.volcoment.com |date= |access-date=2014-01-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109022838/https://store.volcoment.com/vevc |archive-date=2014-01-09 |url-status=dead }}
- Night Beats/ Her Cold Cold Heart - 2018 (Heavenly Recordings / [PIAS])
- Night Beats/ Behind the Green Door - 2025 (Suicide Squeeze Records)
=Compilations=
- Get Wyld! Vol. 1 - 2010 (Holy Twist){{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/get-wyld-volume-1/id365190924 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110184137/https://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/get-wyld-volume-1/id365190924 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 10, 2012 |title=iTunes - Music - Get Wyld! Volume 1 by Various Artists |website=iTunes |date=2010-04-05 |access-date=2014-01-09}}
- Portable Shrines Magic Sound Theatre Vol. 1 - 2011 (Translinguistic Other/Light In The Attic){{cite web|url=http://lightintheattic.net/releases/545-portable-shrines-magic-sound-theatre-vol-i |title=Portable Shrines Magic Sound Theatre Vol. I | Light In The Attic Records |website=Lightintheattic.net |date=2011-04-16 |access-date=2014-01-09}}
- Sailor Jerry Vol. 4 - 2011 (Sailor Jerry Rum)
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.thenightbeats.us Official Website]
{{Authority control}}
Category:Musical groups from Seattle
Category:Garage rock groups from Washington (state)