The Detroit Cobras
NewMusicforOldFolks says …
The Detroit Cobras are a really just a cover band, but it's the songs they choose to cover and the method in which they do that makes them special. Singer Rachel Nagy and guitarist Maribel Restrepo are the constants in the lineup and turn obscrure R&B songs into pure garage grunge. They haven't been prolific recorders, but the band is still out touring and their unique sound is infectious.
Artist's info
Website: thedetroitcobras.com
See them live: Tour dates
Record company: Bloodshot
Genre: Garage, R&B
If you like this, look into: The White Stripes, The Dirtbombs, Holly Golightly
Bio (From AllMusic.com)
One of the earliest groups to emerge from the Detroit garage rock scene, the Detroit Cobras developed a reputation as the Midwest's finest (and most distinctive) cover band — while the bandmembers devoted themselves to performing other people's material rather than recycling established hits, the Detroit Cobras dug deep into the well of vintage R&B and primitive rock & roll sides, building an individual identity out of lost classics from the past which they modified to fit their swaggering aural personality. the Detroit Cobras were formed in 1995 by Steve Shaw, who developed a taste for classic R&B from spending time with Alex Chilton, whom he met through his friends in Detroit primitives the Gories. The first edition of the Detroit Cobras featured former exotic dancer Rachel Nagy on vocals, Shaw and Maribel Restrepo (ex-Vertical Pillows) on guitars, Jeff Meier (from Rocket 455) on bass, and Vic Hill on drums, and they released their first 7" in 1996. (more)
Spotify Sampler
Recordings
Most Recent
TIED & TRUE (2007): Combining girl-group hooks and harmonies with high-octane, Motor City garage rock, the Detroit Cobras conjure the 1960s era of Top 40 AM radio and vinyl 45s. Though the results are considerably poppier than the band's name and the light bondage of the album title and cover might suggest, singer Rachel Nagy has attitude to burn and the mixed-gender band plays with plenty of rough-hewn energy. Material (none of it written by the band) includes minor '60s hits such as "Nothing But a Heartache" and "Leave My Kitten Alone," obscurities from classic songwriters such as Gerry Goffin and Jerry Ragavoy (as well as James Brown and Dr. John) and a hopped-up rendition of the Depression-era folk standard "On a Monday."
OTHERS
Mink Rat or Rabbit (1998)
Life, Love and Leaving (2001)
Baby (2004)
