Not too long ago existed a band by the name of the Murder City Devils. They seemed destined to be the saviors of rock `n’ roll, possessing a talent and work ethic money couldn’t buy. The music was macabre, gritty and dangerous.

The MC5 had it. The Stooges had it. And there was no doubt the Devils had it, too. Unfortunately time ran out on this volatile outfit late last year and they are now forever adrift at sea.

While it’s highly unlikely audiences will ever see the Devils again, a few members managed to jump ship and board a new vessel that’s pulling into port. The passing season has washed ashore a new prospect by the name of Dead Low Tide. But don’t expect the crew to pull out any tricks from Murder City.

“We aren’t going to play any Murder City Devils songs,” says guitarist Nate Manny. “It was a big part of our lives and we can’t act like it didn’t happen. The new band has its own value and I hope people like it for what it is.”

It has been somewhat of a challenge for the throngs of Murder City Devils fans eager to hear the newly formed Dead Low Tide. It was only a month ago that a solitary MP3 for “Barrel Vault” was posted on their Web site. It wouldn’t be fair to judge a new band solely based on one song though. Manny himself doesn’t entirely know how to describe the new outfit.

“We didn’t have an idea going into it,” he says, commenting on the sound. “It’s turning out to be different than Murder City Devils. With Coady [Willis] and myself in the band, we have a certain language to keep things consistent.”

Lyrically, some things never change.

“Spencer [Moody] writes the lyrics, it’s all him,” Manny says. “They’re a good metaphor for a lot of things – out at sea, alone.”

Manny is quick not to do any injustice to Moody’s lyrics though. The band’s name alone makes it obvious that Moody and the rest of the band still have a fascination with life at sea, thematically, like the Murder City Devils’ songs “Press Gang,” “Hey Sailor” and “No Grave But The Sea.”

For those unable to let go of the Devils’ legacy quite yet, take ease that roadie extraordinaire Gabe is back out keeping the guys in line. In addition to his duties, he is also one of the underground’s leading retail personalities, Merchbot 2000. Merchbot has been the motivation behind recently made marionettes of each member of the band in which he will not talk to the guys unless it is his puppet talking to them. In the Tour Diary section of the band’s Web site Gabe notes, “Not sure how long this is going to last, but I think he has lost his mind.”

With former Enemymine and godheadSilo member Mike Kunka filling out the lineup on bass, Dead Low Tide is set on starting their own chapter.

“I would like it if our band could just be a band,” Manny notes. “It’d be nice to make enough to practice, record and tour without having to work.”

Dead Low Tide pulls into Hairy Marys Monday for an all ages show with Pleasure Forever.