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The musicians in Night Child are some of the heaviest hitters in town, for sure. Few bands in Albuquerque’s metal scene are more qualified to hold the title “supergroup” than these dudes. Their resumes are impressive, and the members in the band are well-versed in genres ranging from radio-friendly rock ‘n’ roll to black metal. Perhaps that’s why for the past three years their signature mix of heavy metal, old school thrash and punk stands out among a sea of similar bands performing around town these days. The entertainment community certainly seems to think so, because Night Child just won this year’s New Mexico Entertainment Award for Best Metal Band. Guitarists Colin Dowell (Russian Girlfriends) and Tony Camarena (Dread, Nuclear Reign) are authorities on complex, harmonized riffs and intricate solos. They aren’t strangers to punk, either. I once saw Colin fill in on guitar for the legendary ‘80s skate punk band McRad. The rhythm section is stacked as well, and drummer J.R. Willoughby and bassist Nick Tackett (Hanta) hold the operation locked in place, while the guitars wander through decades of different styles – sometimes within the same song. Singer Ian Jarrell brings the experience to match the rest of the group’s technical skills. The guy sang for the Koffin Kats, nuff said. Night Child’s unique song structures don’t always follow the typical verse, chorus, verse formula and the tone of the music shifts from slower, doomy grooves to quick upbeat riffs that evoke feelings of an era that celebrated a decadent rock ‘n’ roll Nightlife. And the shifts happen before your ears – and your brain – know what hit ‘em.
Will you describe your sound for us?
Night Child is rock and roll with all our metal influences seeping into every song. There is punk, black [metal], grind, speed [metal] and many forms of extreme metal shaping who we sound like when all members come together.
Are there records that influence your guitar style?
Disillusion from Loudness really shaped me, Akira Takasaki is the full package with rhythm guitar playing and leads. Thunder and Lightning from Thin Lizzy as well. I can’t live without those records and bands.
You play solos. Are there any guitarists whose solos stand out to you?
Akira Takasaki, Eddie Van Halen, John Sykes, Temis Osmond, Randy Uchida, Jake E. Lee, Greg Howe, Masayoshi Takanaka, Buckethead, George Lynch, Dimebag, Ace Frehley, Andy LaRocque, Jason Becker, Chris Poland, K.K. Downing and Glen Tipton.
What are your favorite venues to play and why?
I will have to say Launchpad because I been playing there since I was a teenager. After that I like Sunshine Theater, Moonlight Lounge, Sister, Ren’s Den and Black Wall Gallery from all the good moments we had in those venues.
What are your lyrics about?
I feel like I’m going to say the most guitarist thing, but I don’t really know what my singer is writing about. All I know is that it sounds cool, and he is a great frontman.
I think it just depends on the person, but I always listened to the music first before the actual lyrics. If the music has a hook and it’s catchy to me, then the lyrics can be absolutely off the wall but a hit.
How do Ian’s vocals distinguish you from other bands who play similar styles of music (heavy metal, old-school thrash and punk?)
He does a great job juggling vocal styles that go from hardcore to doom, punk, heavy metal and rock for the songs. His personality and soul is oozing into the vocals every time I hear him perform, along with his showmanship. He is just himself, and I love that.
What bands or genres inspire your music?
I can’t name them all, but off the top of my head it’s Thin Lizzy, KISS, Kvelertak, Van Halen, Iron Maiden, Steely Dan, Huey Lewis and the News, QOTSA, Power Trip, Zeke, Ramones, White Reaper and Viagra Boys.
What is the best show you have ever played and why?
For me it has to be when we played Grind Fest at Ren’s Den. The crowd was just losing it! The pits and energy were so much fun.
We play What’s Left Fest up in Colorado Springs Sep 13. Our second EP is about to drop very soon, we are writing new songs for the third release while more shows and tours will be announced.
Check out Night Child live in Denver on April 5, 2025 here.
You can hear them on the local radio podcast Zero Hour Squared here.
Find their music and keep tabs on the band at Night child official (including their Spotify profile.)
You can also listen and purchase their music on their Bandcamp page.
For a chronicle of the band’s shows and related night life follow Night Child on Instagram and Facebook.