New Jersey punk rockers Night Birds specialize in classic fast 'n' loud sounds in the SoCal style, with equal shares of hooks and energy, as well as a noticeable surf influence. Named after a '70s horror movie from oddball cult filmmaker Andy Milligan, Night Birds were formed in the spring of 2009 on the New Jersey Shore by vocalist Brian Gorsegner (formerly of For Science and Psyched to Die) and bassist Joe Keller, after Keller's band the Ergs broke up. Teaming up with guitarist Mike Hunchback (previously with the band Hunchback) and the first of a long series of drummers, Night Birds put out a four-song demo in 2009, which was soon reissued by Ride the Fury Records. The band's first proper release was a five-song 7" EP simply called Night Birds, released in tandem by Dirtnap Records and Grave Mistake Records. In 2011, Night Birds dropped their first album, The Other Side of Darkness, released by Grave Mistake. In early 2012, it was announced that Mike Hunchback was leaving Night Birds as their growing popularity made it difficult for him to keep up with their schedule; P.J. Russo, who previously played with Phibes and Wormeaters, immediately stepped in to take his place. In 2013, the second Night Birds album arrived, Born to Die in Suburbia, which also appeared via Grave Mistake. Later that same year, Night Birds issued their first EP for one of America's biggest punk labels, Fat Wreck Chords; the disc was titled Maimed for the Masses. In 2015, after going through though more than a half-dozen drummers, Night Birds finally found a committed timekeeper in Darick Slater, who helped the band record its first album for Fat, 2015's Mutiny at Muscle Beach, which included songs about the struggles of being a retail employee and the artistry of professional wrestling. ~ Mark Deming