by Molly Eide Marquez
Clovis resident and hardrock musician Slate Wilder is on a mission: to bring back the high-energy, guitar-driven sound of 80s rock, right from the heart of the Central Valley. His new project, Vice After Midnight, debuts this September with the release of the single “Hot City Nights,” a track that channels the riffs, solos, and electrifying spirit of the classic rock era while adding Wilder’s own modern edge.
Slate Wilder
Armed first with a childhood acoustic guitar and later with his own electric, Slate developed a lifelong passion for playing. But it wasn’t until recently, after the birth of his first child, that he felt inspired to take the leap and create original music of his own. “I realized I needed to pursue the passion for music I’ve had within me for all these years,” he says. “My goal is to leave behind music I can be proud of and show my child they can and should pursue their dreams.”
That determination, combined with the reality of balancing parenthood and a day job, helped inspire the name Vice After Midnight. Most of Slate’s writing and recording happens in his home studio after the baby is asleep. “Making hard rock music in the style of the 80s is my vice,” he explains. “And I do it in the midnight hours.”
The debut single, “Hot City Nights,” was written and recorded at home in Clovis, and its title is a direct nod to summer in the Valley. “It captures the feeling of going out at night when it’s dark, but still hot outside, and you’re looking forward to having a good time,” Slate says. With cranked-up guitar amps and a soaring solo crafted in his own style, he set out to capture the raw, infectious energy that made 80s rock unforgettable.
Wilder cites Ratt, Def Leppard, Whitesnake, and Van Halen as his biggest influences, with each band leaving an imprint on his sound. “The high-gain guitars, the powerful drumming and riffs, the smooth choruses, the tapping and tremolo techniques, all of those elements come together in my music,” he says.
While the Central Valley isn’t widely known for its hard rock scene, Slate believes there’s plenty of talent here waiting to shine. “If more local artists share their work and collaborate, we can help lift each other up,” he says. He hopes Vice After Midnight can inspire both longtime fans of 80s rock and younger listeners who are discovering the genre for the first time.
Looking ahead, Slate plans to release more singles this year and a full album in 2026, with hopes of performing live and collaborating with other local artists. In the meantime, he encourages readers to follow his journey on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and at ViceAfterMidnight.com.
“Hot City Nights” will be available on all major streaming platforms this month. Until then, Slate is hard at work on the next songs that will carry the torch of 80s hard rock into the Valley and beyond.
I’ve been listening and watching VAM since its inception. The musicality and quality that’s produced from a home studio is a representation of someone that truly takes pride in their art. I am very excited for the release the first single and anticipate many more awesome hits to come. Keep it up Slate.