I got some great news in my in-box last night, former Apes members Amanda Kleinman, Jeff Schmid, and Erick Jackson have dusted themselves off, and re-grouped as Midnight Kids with a slinky new vocalist and Gypsy Eyes boss Kalani Tifford on bass. Amanda K. and Co. have ditched the Apes’ bombastic Fraggle rock for more soulful agit prop, dance beats (think Blondie meets the Yeah Yeah Yeahs), swirly keybs, adult grooves, and ’80s top 40 guitar tones. It’s fun and dark. We can’t wait to see them at Comet’s space. You can listen to Midnight Kids; they’ve posted a few songs online.

*photo of Amanda in her Ape days.