The Detroit Cobras
Encyclopedia
The Detroit Cobras are an American garage rock
cover band from Detroit, Michigan
, formed in 1994.
and released their first full-length album, Mink Rat or Rabbit, in 1998. After a three-year gap, they released a second album, Life, Love and Leaving
Their retro-garage rock formula proved popular in the UK
and prompted the London-based Rough Trade Records
to sign the band. They released an EP, Seven Easy Pieces, in 2003 and their third full-length album, Baby
, in 2005. Baby broke with the Cobras' tradition in that it included one original song, "Hot Dog (Watch Me Eat)". Baby was picked up for release in the US by Bloodshot
(who added the songs from the Seven Easy Pieces EP to the end of Baby . In April 2007, Bloodshot released the band's fourth full-length, Tied & True
.
The band is known for multiple lineup changes, as noted in the side bar. They generally have a touring lineup different from their recording lineup. Greg Cartwright
of Reigning Sound
(aka Greg Oblivian of The Oblivians) has been a constant creative force along with Nagy and Ramirez, who have been around since the group's genesis.
In the summer of 2008, The Detroit Cobras went on tour in support of X on their 13x31 tour. For the summer of 2009, The Detroit Cobras headlined a tour w/ the Dex Romweber Duo in support.
Garage rock
Garage rock is a raw form of rock and roll that was first popular in the United States and Canada from about 1963 to 1967. During the 1960s, it was not recognized as a separate music genre and had no specific name...
cover band from Detroit, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, formed in 1994.
History
The Detroit Cobras signed with Sympathy for the Record IndustrySympathy for the Record Industry
Sympathy for the Record Industry is a mainly independent garage rock and punk label formed in 1988 by record industry anti-mogul Long Gone John...
and released their first full-length album, Mink Rat or Rabbit, in 1998. After a three-year gap, they released a second album, Life, Love and Leaving
Life, Love and Leaving
Life, Love and Leaving is the second album by The Detroit Cobras, released 1 May 2001 .-Track listing:#Hey Sailor#*Original by Mickey Lee Lane#He Did It#*Original by the Ronettes#Find Me a Home#*Original by Solomon Burke...
Their retro-garage rock formula proved popular in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and prompted the London-based Rough Trade Records
Rough Trade Records
Rough Trade Records is an independent record label based in London. It was formed in 1978 by Geoff Travis who had opened a record store off Ladbroke Grove...
to sign the band. They released an EP, Seven Easy Pieces, in 2003 and their third full-length album, Baby
Baby (The Detroit Cobras album)
Baby is the third studio album by The Detroit Cobras, released 27 September 2005.-Track listing:#Slipping Around#*Original by Clarence Carter#I Wanna Holler #*Original by Gary U.S...
, in 2005. Baby broke with the Cobras' tradition in that it included one original song, "Hot Dog (Watch Me Eat)". Baby was picked up for release in the US by Bloodshot
Bloodshot Records
Bloodshot Records is an independent record label based in Chicago, Illinois which specializes in roots-inflected indie rock, punk blues, and a Chicago brand of outlaw country...
(who added the songs from the Seven Easy Pieces EP to the end of Baby . In April 2007, Bloodshot released the band's fourth full-length, Tied & True
Tied & True
Tied & True is the fourth album by The Detroit Cobras, released 24 April 2007 .-Track listing:#As Long As I Have You#* Original by Garnett Mimms#Nothing But A Heartache#* Original by The Flirtations...
.
The band is known for multiple lineup changes, as noted in the side bar. They generally have a touring lineup different from their recording lineup. Greg Cartwright
Greg Cartwright
Greg Cartwright, also known by his stage name Greg Oblivian, is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist from Memphis, Tennessee. He currently fronts Reigning Sound and lives in Asheville, North Carolina...
of Reigning Sound
Reigning Sound
The Reigning Sound is an American garage punk band originally based out of Memphis, Tennessee, now located in Asheville, North Carolina. The band's current lineup includes former Oblivians and Compulsive Gamblers frontman Greg Cartwright on lead vocals and guitar, David Wayne Gay on bass, Lance...
(aka Greg Oblivian of The Oblivians) has been a constant creative force along with Nagy and Ramirez, who have been around since the group's genesis.
In the summer of 2008, The Detroit Cobras went on tour in support of X on their 13x31 tour. For the summer of 2009, The Detroit Cobras headlined a tour w/ the Dex Romweber Duo in support.
Albums
- Mink Rat or Rabbit (1998, Sympathy for the Record IndustrySympathy for the Record IndustrySympathy for the Record Industry is a mainly independent garage rock and punk label formed in 1988 by record industry anti-mogul Long Gone John...
) - Life, Love and LeavingLife, Love and LeavingLife, Love and Leaving is the second album by The Detroit Cobras, released 1 May 2001 .-Track listing:#Hey Sailor#*Original by Mickey Lee Lane#He Did It#*Original by the Ronettes#Find Me a Home#*Original by Solomon Burke...
(2001, Sympathy for the Record IndustrySympathy for the Record IndustrySympathy for the Record Industry is a mainly independent garage rock and punk label formed in 1988 by record industry anti-mogul Long Gone John...
) - BabyBaby (The Detroit Cobras album)Baby is the third studio album by The Detroit Cobras, released 27 September 2005.-Track listing:#Slipping Around#*Original by Clarence Carter#I Wanna Holler #*Original by Gary U.S...
(2005, BloodshotBloodshot RecordsBloodshot Records is an independent record label based in Chicago, Illinois which specializes in roots-inflected indie rock, punk blues, and a Chicago brand of outlaw country...
) - Tied & TrueTied & TrueTied & True is the fourth album by The Detroit Cobras, released 24 April 2007 .-Track listing:#As Long As I Have You#* Original by Garnett Mimms#Nothing But A Heartache#* Original by The Flirtations...
(2007, BloodshotBloodshot RecordsBloodshot Records is an independent record label based in Chicago, Illinois which specializes in roots-inflected indie rock, punk blues, and a Chicago brand of outlaw country...
)
Compilations
- The Original RecordingsThe Original RecordingsThe Original Recordings is a compilation album put together by founding members of The Detroit Cobras, and their fifth release...
(Singles and Unreleased 1995-1997) (2008, Munster Records)
Singles and EPs
- "Village of Love" 7" (1996, Human Fly)
- "Over to My House" 7" (1996, Black Mamba)
- "Ain't It a Shame" 7" (1996, Scooch Pooch)
- Seven Easy Pieces EP (2003, Rough TradeRough Trade RecordsRough Trade Records is an independent record label based in London. It was formed in 1978 by Geoff Travis who had opened a record store off Ladbroke Grove...
) - "Cha Cha TwistCha Cha Twist"Cha Cha Twist" is the debut CD, 7" single of American band Detroit Cobras....
CD, 7" (2004, Rough TradeRough Trade RecordsRough Trade Records is an independent record label based in London. It was formed in 1978 by Geoff Travis who had opened a record store off Ladbroke Grove...
) - "Ya Ya Ya 7" (2008, Stag-O-Lee)
Other appearances
- "HeartbeatHeartbeat (Buddy Holly song)"Heartbeat" is a rockabilly song written by Bob Montgomery and Norman Petty and recorded originally by Buddy Holly in 1958. The B side of the single was "Well.....
" on Rave On Buddy HollyRave on Buddy HollyRave On Buddy Holly is a compilation album by various artists released on June 28, 2011 through Fantasy Records/Concord Music Group and Hear Music. The title of the tribute album to musician Buddy Holly, who died in a plane crash in 1959 at age 22, refers to the song "Rave On", one of his biggest...
(2011, Hear MusicHear MusicHear Music, also known as StarCon is the brand name of Starbucks' retail music concept and record label. Hear Music began as a catalog company in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1990 before being purchased by Starbucks in 1999.-Concept:...
, FantasyFantasy RecordsFantasy Records is a United States-based record label that was founded by Max and Sol Weiss in 1949 in San Francisco, California. They had previously operated a record-pressing plant called Circle Record Company before forming the Fantasy label...
/Concord Music GroupConcord Music GroupConcord Music Group is a record company owned by Village Roadshow formed in 2004 by the merger of Concord Records and Fantasy Records. In 2005, the company acquired the classics and jazz label Telarc International. On December 18, 2006, Concord announced the re-launch of the soul label Stax;...
)
External links
- Detroit Cobras official website and merchandise
- Profile on the Bloodshot site
- http://www.antigravitymagazine.com/antigravity_vol4_issue7.pdf - Interview with Rachel Nagy (page 21)
- Interview with lead singer Rachel Nagy, October 2, 2006
- Interview with lead singer Rachel Nagy, September 26, 2005
- NPR Interview with Rachel and Mary, July 15, 2007
- Interview with Rachel Nagy on HEAVEmedia