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“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”
The quote is attributable to Seneca, a Roman Philosopher from the mid 1st Century AD. It holds a particular significance, however, for the
members of Southern California rock band, MIDNIGHT TO TWELVE. Jon Hartman (vocals), Al Baca (bass), Steve Oliver (keyboards), Daniel
Jordan (guitar) and Drew Molleur (drums) made their own luck with every step they took toward living their dreams.
From Southern California by way of Iowa (Hartman) and Oklahoma (Molleur) with a stop in Nashville for Al and Jon, the band took full shape
in LA in 2000. After meeting Steve through a friend and Daniel through the classifieds, the band added Drew and the time was right to get
things going. Finding the right name took a long time for the rockers – the idea for MIDNIGHT TO TWELVE came when discussing the shift
Al was working in order to make time to write and rehearse with his cohorts.
Always willing to do the hard work involved in establishing themselves in a competitive market like Los Angeles , the band played all around
town, slowly building their audience. “Our motto was, whether the audience was five people or 5,000, they got the same show,” says
Hartman. Eventually the band was headlining Saturday nights and selling out storied clubs like the Roxy. MIDNIGHT TO TWELVE sold
some 13,000 copies of their previous independently-made recording out of its tour bus. These sales figures are a testament to the band’s
powerful live show – as both a solo touring act and as opener for such bands as Buckcherry, Jimmy Eat World, Evanescence, Joan Jett and
Saliva.
Along the way, the band made fans and friends who were eager to spread the good word. One such fan worked at the show ONE TREE
HILL. The producers of the show heard the single “Slam,” and put it on the show right away. Seeing a way to take the exposure one step
further, the band made it known on the show’s message board that they would give away CD singles to anyone who signed up for their e-
mail list. A barrage of ‘HILL fans obliged. “I was up all night collecting addresses, and sent out 600 singles the next day – I spent a whole
paycheck on postage,” Baca shares with a laugh.
The quote is attributable to Seneca, a Roman Philosopher from the mid 1st Century AD. It holds a particular significance, however, for the
members of Southern California rock band, MIDNIGHT TO TWELVE. Jon Hartman (vocals), Al Baca (bass), Steve Oliver (keyboards), Daniel
Jordan (guitar) and Drew Molleur (drums) made their own luck with every step they took toward living their dreams.
From Southern California by way of Iowa (Hartman) and Oklahoma (Molleur) with a stop in Nashville for Al and Jon, the band took full shape
in LA in 2000. After meeting Steve through a friend and Daniel through the classifieds, the band added Drew and the time was right to get
things going. Finding the right name took a long time for the rockers – the idea for MIDNIGHT TO TWELVE came when discussing the shift
Al was working in order to make time to write and rehearse with his cohorts.
Always willing to do the hard work involved in establishing themselves in a competitive market like Los Angeles , the band played all around
town, slowly building their audience. “Our motto was, whether the audience was five people or 5,000, they got the same show,” says
Hartman. Eventually the band was headlining Saturday nights and selling out storied clubs like the Roxy. MIDNIGHT TO TWELVE sold
some 13,000 copies of their previous independently-made recording out of its tour bus. These sales figures are a testament to the band’s
powerful live show – as both a solo touring act and as opener for such bands as Buckcherry, Jimmy Eat World, Evanescence, Joan Jett and
Saliva.
Along the way, the band made fans and friends who were eager to spread the good word. One such fan worked at the show ONE TREE
HILL. The producers of the show heard the single “Slam,” and put it on the show right away. Seeing a way to take the exposure one step
further, the band made it known on the show’s message board that they would give away CD singles to anyone who signed up for their e-
mail list. A barrage of ‘HILL fans obliged. “I was up all night collecting addresses, and sent out 600 singles the next day – I spent a whole
paycheck on postage,” Baca shares with a laugh.
| LIVE SHOW REVIEW |
There’s something to be said for a rock band that has been traveling the US for four years and putting on one hell of a show, all without
getting a single paycheck. The humbleness of 5 guys is something rarely seen with the lifestyle these boys lead. New to the Minnesota
area, Midnight to Twelve are more comfortable than most and are pro’s at meeting new people before the show, and then thanking every
person that came after the show. It’s always a new experience playing someplace new and not knowing the expectations of the crowd.
Tonight every person in the venue are sizing up Jon, Al, Daniel, Steve and Chris as the walk to their accustomed places on stage. Lifted
eyebrows are seen amongst then guys while the girls, take a second look. Yes, the boys are lookers but what’s mostly on everyone’s
minds is: can they play and play well? Within 40 seconds of the first song, the answer to that question is without a doubt answered: oh yes.
Everyone moves closer and starts to move around while feeling each note that’s played. Each song becomes a journey of emotions for
each individual there. From excitement, to anger, to compassion, to sorrow and back to excitement, these boys know how to make the trip
worth while. Each member of M212 has a character that everyone is seemingly drawn to. The charismatic and energetic Al plays bass as if
it’s he’s on life support; it’s his love that everyone is able to see for miles around. The smooth crooning voice and amplified expression of
Jon takes you for a walk then to a run, all within seconds of each other. The invigorating chords are laid down with invigorating movements
by none other than Daniel. Catchy melodies and precise elements are only among a few things keyboardist, Steve, has up his sleeve. The
beat that has you tapping your feet as it’s tempo whispers in your ears, is being graced by Drew. From their hit singles “Slam” and “How
Bad,” aren’t the only songs catching everyone’s attention, the beautiful melody and meaning of “Good Morning Again” is bringing tears and
raised glasses to the for front of the crowd. As the last song appears, every single person is standing and are singing along with Jon and
the boys. The moment stands still as each snap shot is being taken from the fan, bystander, bartender, security, photographer to each
member of M212. There’s a moment when you know you’ve seen something amazing and will engrave itself upon your memory for life.
This is one of those moments. After the show, Al walks around and personally thanks everyone sitting at a table and everyone that comes
up to him. Jon and the boys are at the merch table, hearing stories from new fans while each takes the time to talk and learn that much
more about the person before them. There’s even a guy that walks up and says he didn’t care for their music due to his girlfriend liking it,
but said he was wrong and now follows M212 like none other. If that doesn’t tell you how much talent and grace these 5 guys have, then
you’ll just need to see them live. There’s no doubt that this band is on the rise as some of the best live performers the rock scene has ever
seen.
getting a single paycheck. The humbleness of 5 guys is something rarely seen with the lifestyle these boys lead. New to the Minnesota
area, Midnight to Twelve are more comfortable than most and are pro’s at meeting new people before the show, and then thanking every
person that came after the show. It’s always a new experience playing someplace new and not knowing the expectations of the crowd.
Tonight every person in the venue are sizing up Jon, Al, Daniel, Steve and Chris as the walk to their accustomed places on stage. Lifted
eyebrows are seen amongst then guys while the girls, take a second look. Yes, the boys are lookers but what’s mostly on everyone’s
minds is: can they play and play well? Within 40 seconds of the first song, the answer to that question is without a doubt answered: oh yes.
Everyone moves closer and starts to move around while feeling each note that’s played. Each song becomes a journey of emotions for
each individual there. From excitement, to anger, to compassion, to sorrow and back to excitement, these boys know how to make the trip
worth while. Each member of M212 has a character that everyone is seemingly drawn to. The charismatic and energetic Al plays bass as if
it’s he’s on life support; it’s his love that everyone is able to see for miles around. The smooth crooning voice and amplified expression of
Jon takes you for a walk then to a run, all within seconds of each other. The invigorating chords are laid down with invigorating movements
by none other than Daniel. Catchy melodies and precise elements are only among a few things keyboardist, Steve, has up his sleeve. The
beat that has you tapping your feet as it’s tempo whispers in your ears, is being graced by Drew. From their hit singles “Slam” and “How
Bad,” aren’t the only songs catching everyone’s attention, the beautiful melody and meaning of “Good Morning Again” is bringing tears and
raised glasses to the for front of the crowd. As the last song appears, every single person is standing and are singing along with Jon and
the boys. The moment stands still as each snap shot is being taken from the fan, bystander, bartender, security, photographer to each
member of M212. There’s a moment when you know you’ve seen something amazing and will engrave itself upon your memory for life.
This is one of those moments. After the show, Al walks around and personally thanks everyone sitting at a table and everyone that comes
up to him. Jon and the boys are at the merch table, hearing stories from new fans while each takes the time to talk and learn that much
more about the person before them. There’s even a guy that walks up and says he didn’t care for their music due to his girlfriend liking it,
but said he was wrong and now follows M212 like none other. If that doesn’t tell you how much talent and grace these 5 guys have, then
you’ll just need to see them live. There’s no doubt that this band is on the rise as some of the best live performers the rock scene has ever
seen.
| MIDNIGHT TO TWELVE LINK'S |
