Joey Sweeney & The Neon Grease go retro with their latest single “Black Ice”

About a month ago, we shared “Baptized In Vibe,” the first single from Philly songwriting mainstay Joey Sweeney’s latest project, Joey Sweeney & The Neon Grease. In the form of new single “Black Ice,” the band is now back with a second release ahead of its forthcoming project.

Sweeney and the gang take listeners on a time-traveling journey with this one. They say it’s influenced by late ’80s goth mystery love songs like “Under The Milky Way” by the Church or “All In My Mind” by Love & Rockets. But Sweeney also says his current upcoming run of songs draws from ’70s Philly nightlife folklore and Denis Johnson’s The Incognito Lounge. Take that combo and you get the haunting retro vibe of “Black Ice” and the creepy but endearing story it tells. Saxophone and a 12-string guitar are the biggest contributors to the mood, and Elk City’s Renée LoBue pitches in on vocals to complete the narrative.

Joey Sweeney & The Neon Grease are set to join Oldermost Ortlieb’s on Thursday, Sept. 7. For tickets and more info on the 21+ gig, head over to the XPN Concert Calendar. For now, give “Black Ice” a listen below.