VAM is Slate Wilder unleashed — a one-man wrecking crew out of California channeling the raw spirit of your favorite ‘80s rock legends. It’s not retro. It’s a resurrection — loud, unapologetic, and built to shake the foundations of modern rock.

Slate Wilder is the mind behind Vice After Midnight — handling every riff, beat, and frame himself. Born in California, he grew up on car shows, loud engines, and even louder stereos blasting Def Leppard, Ratt, and Van Halen. That high octane mix of metal and rock fuels the sound and style of VAM.

The name is a nod to the mood and emotion of 1980s TV, music, and film — an era when everything felt larger than life. It means something different to every listener. For Slate, his vice is crafting head banging riffs deep into the midnight hour, lit by the glow of neon lights.

Blending the grit of ’80s rock with the sleek pulse of the city after dark, Vice After Midnight captures the energy of an era when danger was stylish and the soundtrack never stopped. Influenced by the mood and motion of classic ’80s TV thrillers, VAM brings neon nostalgia to modern rock.

VAM’s debut single, Hot City Nights, drops on September 19, 2025 and will be available on all major digital platforms for streaming and purchase.

Want a closer look at the riffs, attitude, and style behind the music? Head over to the official Vice After Midnight YouTube channel.

Yes. If you’re working on a film, series, or visual project and want to use Vice After Midnight music, licensing is available. Use the contact form to share details—project type, timeframe, and what track you’re interested in—and we’ll go from there.

Unlike other projects, VAM isn’t about parodying the 1980s or copying it note for note. It’s born out of a deep respect for the hard rock legends who paved the way and stands as living proof that new music can hit just as hard as the anthems of the past.

VAM is inspired by the iconic hair metal guitar riffs of many artists from the 80s including: Ratt, Def Leppard, Van Halen, Whitesnake, Scorpions, and Y&T.*

VAM’s inspiration also reaches beyond the typical rock scene. VAM is heavily influenced by the atmospheric flair found in 80s movie soundtracks, electronic, and funk tracks of the decade. This includes the groundbreaking work of composers such as Jan Hammer, Vangelis, and groups including Cameo, The Gap Band, Midnight Star and Kool & The Gang.*

*Note: The artists mentioned above are referenced solely as musical inspiration and are not affiliated with Vice After Midnight.