Just Can't Love

The song "Just Can't Love" by Rock City Angels from their album Midnight Confessions is a raw, emotive track that captures the band’s gritty blend of glam rock and punk energy. According to a review on Sleaze Roxx, the song is part of a collection of lost recordings from 1989 to 1992, intended for a second Geffen album that never materialized due to the band’s tumultuous history. The track showcases the vocal prowess of Bobby Durango, whose soulful delivery conveys the heartbreak and defiance embedded in the lyrics. While specific interviews about "Just Can't Love" are scarce, the band’s frontman, Bobby Durango, once shared in a MySpace post that the Midnight Confessions sessions were a chaotic period, marked by lineup changes and label disputes, which likely infused the song with its raw intensity.

Another piece of trivia comes from fan discussions on the Rock City Angels Official Facebook page, where devotees, often calling themselves “Zoo Freaks” in homage to the band’s wild spirit, have noted the song’s layered guitar work by Mike Barnes and Doug Banx. A fan commented in a 2015 post that “Just Can't Love” stood out for its unpolished, almost demo-like quality, which gave it an authentic edge compared to the band’s earlier, more produced work like Young Man’s Blues. The Midnight Confessions album, as detailed on Eonian Records, was remastered by Chris Dunnett, preserving the song’s rough-hewn charm for new generations of listeners.

Rock City Angels began in 1981 in South Florida as The Abusers, formed by singer Bobby Bondage (later Bobby St. Valentine and eventually Bobby Durango) and bassist Andy Panik. According to their Wikipedia page, the duo met at a screening of the punk documentary The Decline of Western Civilization, bonding over their shared love for rebellion and music. Evolving into Rock City Angels, they embraced a glam rock aesthetic—think eyeliner, lipstick, and teased hair—while crafting a sound that mixed hardcore punk’s aggression with melodic hooks. By the mid-1980s, they had built a cult following in Florida but nearly disbanded until Ann Boleyn of New Renaissance Records offered them a deal at what was meant to be their farewell show.

The band relocated to Los Angeles, where they caught the attention of Geffen Records, who bought their contract in 1986. During this period, a young Johnny Depp joined as rhythm guitarist, playing with the band before his acting career took off with 21 Jump Street. Their debut album, Young Man’s Blues, released in 1988, showcased their unique sound but faced commercial challenges. Despite setbacks, the band persisted, releasing Midnight Confessions in 2010 via FNA Records and a third album, Use Once & Destroy, in 2008. Bobby Durango’s death in 2012 marked the end of the band’s active years, but their legacy endures through fan communities.

Fans can connect with Rock City Angels through their official Facebook page, where updates and memories are shared, though the band’s Instagram and X accounts are less active, with occasional posts from archivists or fans. The MySpace page, while dated, remains a nostalgic hub for old-school fans. Fan-driven spaces like the Rock City Angels Fan Group on Facebook keep the Zoo Freak spirit alive, with members sharing rare photos, bootlegs, and stories of the band’s wild live shows. The official website offers a discography and history, serving as a central resource for devotees spinning tracks like "Just Can't Love" on stations like THE ZOO.