Midnite Maniac

The Zoo Crew is cranking up the vibes at THE ZOO radio station, spinning the electrifying track "Midnite Maniac" by Krokus for all the Zoo Freaks out there. This song, often mistakenly thought to be from an album called "Metal Wars," is actually from the 1984 album The Blitz. It became a standout hit, marking Krokus as the first Swiss band to crack the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #71. The track’s infectious guitar riff and gritty energy made it a staple in the '80s hard rock scene, with its Road Warrior-inspired music video hitting heavy rotation on MTV, pushing The Blitz to #25 on the album charts. Fun fact: the song "Boys Nite Out" from the same album was co-written by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, though it was originally meant for Adams’ own album Reckless.

Another cool tidbit comes from a fan’s story shared on the Krokus Fans Worldwide Facebook group, where a member recalled meeting drummer Jeff Klaven years after his time with Krokus. Klaven, who played during the band’s peak, got the fan backstage to meet the Scorpions, showing the tight-knit connections in the '80s rock world. The The Blitz album, recorded in Vancouver with producers Bruce Fairbairn and Bob Rock, was a turning point, leaning into a glossier, glam-metal sound that some critics panned but fans loved. Posts on Krokus’ X account over the years have celebrated "Midnite Maniac" as a fan favorite, with the band sharing throwback photos from the era, decked out in spandex and big hair.

Krokus kicked off their journey in Solothurn, Switzerland, in 1975, founded by Chris von Rohr and Tommy Kiefer, both ex-members of a band called Kaktus. They started as a progressive rock outfit, with their self-titled debut featuring Kiefer on vocals after their original singer, Peter Richard, bailed. Von Rohr took over lead vocals for the next album, To You All, juggling drums, keyboards, and percussion. The lineup solidified with guitarist Fernando von Arb and drummer Freddy Steady, releasing Painkiller in 1978. A pivotal moment came when they saw AC/DC live in the late '70s, inspiring a shift to raw, hard-hitting rock. By 1979, they brought in Marc Storace, formerly of TEA, whose powerful voice defined their breakthrough album Metal Rendez-vous in 1980, launching them to international fame.

The band faced plenty of hurdles, like lineup changes and Tommy Kiefer’s exit due to addiction, but they kept rocking through the '80s with hits like "Screaming in the Night" and covers of "American Woman" and "Ballroom Blitz." Despite challenges like grunge’s rise in the '90s, Krokus stayed active, releasing albums like Hoodoo (2010) and Big Rocks (2017), and officially wrapped up in 2021 after a global farewell tour. You can dive deeper into their legacy on their official website, follow their updates on Facebook, Instagram, and X, or connect with fans on the Krokus Fans Worldwide group and sites like Metal Storm.