NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – October 23, 2026
MOONLIGHT DESIRES Blast To The Past with A-HA Cover Video “Take On Me”
and New EP “Totally Tubular 80’s Party Machine” Out Nov 2026
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L-R: Joey DeLeo (Guitar) / Crissy Stixx (Drums) / Trevor Ziebarth (Vocals, Guitar) / Jay Ziebarth (Vocals) / Mitch Thompson (Lead Guitar) / Tyler Siroky (Bass)
Photo Credit – Randy Gilbert
Hamilton, ON’s nostalgia-fueled hard rockers MOONLIGHT DESIRES return with their biggest party yet. Six years after their last studio release, the band is set to unleash their new EP “Totally Tubular 80’s Party Machine” on November 27, 2026 via Infamous Butcher Records. To celebrate the announcement, the band is now streaming the first single and music video, a high-energy reimagining of A-ha’s timeless classic “Take On Me”.
Known for transforming beloved ’80s pop hits into guitar-driven rock anthems, Moonlight Desires continues its mission of injecting nostalgia with a shot of adrenaline. The seven-track EP showcases the band’s signature blend of soaring hooks, crunchy riffs, and sing-along choruses while remaining faithful to the spirit of the original songs.
Selected by new frontman Jay Ziebarth, “Take On Me” serves as the perfect introduction to the band’s next chapter.
“This song is basically about the risks of romance and taking a chance on love before the opportunity slips away. It’s also one of the most instantly recognizable ’80s hits of yesteryear. The nostalgia is thick with this one, and we tried to keep the arrangement close to the source material while still making it sound fresh. This song is the match that ignites a full raucous collection of hits,” says guitarist Trevor Ziebarth.
Watch the video for “Take On Me” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SK7f_Nq4sxc
Add to your Spotify playlist – https://fanlink.tv/moonlightdesires
Featuring explosive performances, thunderous drums, and towering guitar melodies, Moonlight Desires approached the material differently this time around. Rather than completely reinventing the source material, the band chose to preserve the core arrangements and recognizable moments that made these songs legendary while amplifying the energy with a heavier modern rock attack.
“We’re trying to invoke all those warm memories you have of ’80s MTV, plus a dash of ’90s MuchMusic, and deliver them back to you wrapped in a louder, grungier, grittier package. When we were choosing a tracklist for this EP, we knew we wanted to make an upbeat, party-focused album while still maintaining all the moody rock sensibilities the band has become known for. Expect heavy nostalgia and an explosion of riffs,” explains Trevor Ziebarth.
The new release also marks a significant turning point for Moonlight Desires as bassist and longtime crowd favorite Jay Ziebarth officially steps into the role of primary frontman. Known for his infectious stage presence and ability to transform venues into full-scale “dance mosh pits,” Jay’s expanded vocal role brings a fresh energy to the band’s sound while preserving everything fans have come to expect from a Moonlight Desires performance.
“With this new EP, we are officially passing the frontman torch over to Jay Ziebarth. His vocal stylings and high-energy live performances have always been a staple at a Moonlight Desires show, so now we’ve given him more of an outlet for this showmanship. With bigger production, bigger hits, and a new frontman, Moonlight Desires might have reached our peak form,” says Trevor.
Adding further firepower to the release, acclaimed Failure drummer Kellii Scott performs throughout the EP after collaborating remotely from Los Angeles. The recordings were completed with longtime producer Mitch Bowden at Mechanical Noise Studios in Dunnville, Ontario.
The EP artwork also embraces the band’s deep-rooted love affair with ’80s culture. Captured by photographer Randy Gilbert during the filming of the “Take On Me” video, the cover features the band posing beside a replica DeLorean famously associated with Back to the Future, perfectly encapsulating the release’s retro-meets-modern aesthetic.
Fans can expect a collection packed with iconic hits reborn through Moonlight Desires‘ distinctive hard rock lens, including Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” Dexys Midnight Runners’ “Come On Eileen,” Bronski Beat’s “Smalltown Boy,” Peter Schilling’s “Major Tom (Coming Home),” Madonna’s “Material Girl,” and Spandau Ballet’s “True.”
After more than a decade of transforming guilty pleasures into guitar-fueled party anthems, Moonlight Desires returns with what may be their most ambitious and entertaining release yet.
Recommended for fans of Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, The Ataris, Foo Fighters, Soundgarden, and anyone who ever made a mixtape from MTV, “Totally Tubular 80’s Party Machine” will be out on all digital platforms on November 27, 2026, via Infamous Butcher Records.
EP pre-save – https://moonlightdesires.bandcamp.com/
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Track Listing:
1. Take on Me (3:19) (A-ha Cover)
2. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (2:43) (Cyndi Lauper Cover)
3. Come on Eileen (3:37) (Dexys Midnight Runners Cover)
4. Small Town Boy (2:49) (Bronski Beat Cover)
5. Major Tom (Coming Home) (3:28) (Peter Schilling Cover)
6. Material Girl (3:51) (Madonna Cover)
7. True (4:20) (Spandau Ballet Cover)
EP Length: 24:05
EP Band Lineup:
Jay Ziebarth – Vocals
Trevor Ziebarth – Vocals, Guitar, Bass
Marco Bressette – Lead Guitar
Mitch Bowden – Lead Guitar
Kellii Scott – Drums
Live Band Lineup:
Jay Ziebarth – Vocals
Trevor Ziebarth – Vocals, Guitar
Mitch Bowden – Lead Guitar
Joey DeLeo – Guitar
Crissy Stixx – Drums
More info:
https://www.moonlightdesires.ca/
https://www.facebook.com/moonlightdesires
https://www.instagram.com/moonlightdesiresband
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What the press has said:
“Moonlight Desires takes delight in taking synth-laden pop hits from the ’80s and turning them into heavy metal monsters.” – The Hamilton Spectator – At The Movies (2020)
“Just the tonic we need in these times, putting a little smile on your face and plenty of riffs for your bucks.” – Get Ready To Rock – At The Movies (2020)
“Moonlight Desires is fun… like, a lot of fun… and everyone should have some fun tonight. So rip it up, everybody Wang Chung tonight!” – V13 – At The Movies (2020)
“I just wish there were more than the four songs on here, because what’s on offer is great. I’ve played the EP on a loop since I popped it on to review it and it’s definitely going to keep on playing. None of the tracks are hugely different from their original recordings, but it doesn’t matter. They’re all just designed for being sung out loud, and you can warble along in the kitchen to these new versions as easily as you could have back when shoulder pads were in fashion… A great little compilation that will raise a smile as much as your singing voice.” – Moshville Times – At The Movies (2020)
“The Canadian band Moonlight Desires, who specialize in turning ’80s pop songs into guitar-driven songs, turn to classic ’80s movie songs for the four track EP At The Movies… It’s a fun blast from the past that will appeal to those of us who saw those movies in the theater when they were originally released along with the younger generation who discovered them via streaming services or cable TV.” – Heavy Music Headquarters – At The Movies (2020)
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