Local heavy rock band Bandits are back and better than ever, armed with the experience of a recent tour tucked under their belts. Bandits, comprised of vocalist and bassist LuLu Demitro, vocalist and guitarist John Demitro and drummer Andrew Oakley, have completely redesigned nearly every aspect of the band. Beginning in 2011 as a duo between brother and sister John Demitro and LuLu Demitro, Bandits has successfully toured across the country, released the “Change EP” in 2013 and has plans for new music.
According to LuLu, the band is going in a new direction and each of the members are writing new music they are excited about. John Demitro explained Bandits wanted to try out new sounds and create a new identity for Bandits. The group takes influence from bands such as Jack White, The Rolling Stones and Black Sabbath, and the newer sound reflects some heavier input.
“Our music has taken a darker turn,” Lulu Demitro said in a phone interview with the Clarion. “We’ve added a couple of new elements, like keyboard and more vocals and a drummer. We’re just growing as a band, as all bands do.”
The band is self-described as a “red-hot bowling ball, shot out of a homemade cannon into the side panel of mid ‘80s Ford Bronco,” so listeners can expect some fiery and heavy-hitting tunes from their next album.
Bandits’ live shows are also undergoing some change. The three-piece band has an upcoming show on Nov. 13 at the Hi-Dive, one of its first headlining local shows in a few months after being out on the road.
“We have some lights going on, some exciting visuals. It’ll be like a GWAR show,” Oakley joked.
“It’s not going to be like a GWAR show,” LuLu Demitro said with seriousness. “There’s not going to be blood. Well, there might be blood.” She also announced that the band would be playing new material at the Hi-Dive, and the show will feature “a new band, new merch, new everything.”
Bandits will also be releasing a 7-inch of singles around the new year after a short break in December to take a breather and recollect some energy before launching into a rigorous schedule for 2016. For now, the band will be focusing on playing in and around Denver.
Tickets to the show on Nov. 13 at the Hi-Dive are running at $10 a pop, and can be purchased on the Hi-Dive website or directly from the band by contacting them on Facebook. For more information, head on over to Bandits’ Facebook page or check out the band’s website.
