The Detroit Cobras: Baby 2004 + Tied & True 2006

 

One of the earliest groups to emerge from the Detroit garage rock scene that would produce the White

Stripes and the Dirtbombs, the Detroit Cobras were the Midwest's finest and most distinctive cover band. Rarely writing material of their own, the group dug deep into the well of vintage R&B and primitive rock & roll, unearthing rarities and lost classics they adapted to their swaggering aural personality.
                                                  

The Detroit Cobras are an American garage rock band from Detroit, Michigan, which was formed in

1994 by guitarist Steve Shaw, guitarist Mary Ramirez, bassist Jeff Meier, drummer Vic Hill, and singer Rachel Nagy. The group was later known (with the exception of Rachel Nagy, and Mary Ramirez) for a constantly changing assortment of musicians.
                     

The band's cocky Motor City spirit was always front and center, even after the albums Mink Rat or

Rabbit (1998) and Life, Love and Leaving (2001) made them international stars. They knew how to make the most of their raw, stripped-down approach from the start, as evidenced on the 2008 collection The Original Recordings: Singles & Unreleased 1995-1997.
                           

Literally dozens of musicians made their way through the Cobras' lineup, but their musical identity was

rooted in two constant members. Vocalist Rachel Nagy possessed a full-bodied instrument that split the difference between R&B and rock & roll, and guitarist Maribel Restrepo (aka Mary Ramirez) added scrappy, elemental guitar figures that honored the melodies but kept the songs from sounding like museum pieces.
                      

The Detroit Cobras were formed in 1995 by Rachel Nagy, a singer and former exotic dancer, and

Maribel Restrepo, a guitarist whose 1980s band the Vertical Pillows were mentored by Rob Tyner of the MC5. Nagy and Restrepo teamed up with guitarist Steve Shaw, who developed a taste for classic R&B while spending time with Alex Chilton, whom he met through his friends in Detroit garage punk primitives the Gories.
                      

Focusing on overlooked R&B and rock & roll chestnuts played with no-frills energy, the first lineup

was filled out by Jeff Meier from Rocket 455 on bass and Vic Hill on drums, and they released their first 7" single, "Over to My House" b/w "Down in Louisiana," in 1996.
                    

In what would prove to be the first in a long line of personnel changes, drummer Hill was replaced by

Chris Fachini by the time the Cobras released their third single, "Ain't It a Shame" b/w "Slum Lord" (which also hit stores in 1996), and their debut LP, 1998's Mink Rat or Rabbit, introduced their third timekeeper, Damian Lang (who'd worked with Snake Out and Elvis Hitler).
                                 

Rachel Nagy, founding member and lead singer of the Motor City garage rock outfit the Detroit

Cobras, has died. The band — which Nagy formed in the early Nineties alongside guitarist Mary Ramirez — announced Nagy’s death Saturday on social media. No cause of death was revealed, nor was Nagy’s age at the time of her death.(14 January 2022)

 

 

 

THE DETROIT COBRAS - BABY 2004
            

The Detroit Cobras – Baby
Label: Bloodshot Records – BS 125
Format:    CD, Album, Reissue 2005
Country: US
Released: 2004 
Genre: Rock
Style: Garage Rock

TRAXS

01. Slipping Around
02. I Wanna Holler (But The Town's Too Small)
03. Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand
04. Weak Spot
05. Everybody's Going Wild
06. Hot Dog (Watch Me Eat)
07. Mean Man
08. Now You're Gone
09. It's Raining
10. Just Can't Please You
11. The Real Thing
12. Baby Help Me
13. Cha Cha Twist
14. Ya Ya Ya (Looking For My Baby)
15. My Baby Loves The Secret Agent
16. Heartbeat
17. You Don't Knock
18. Silver & Gold (When I Get Like This)
19. 99 And A Half Just Won't Do
20. Insane Asylum

MP3 @ 320 Size: 117 MB
Flac  Size: 511 MB

THE DETROIT COBRAS - TIED & TRUE 2006

               

The Detroit Cobras – Tied & True
Label: Bloodshot Records – BS 139
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 2006
Genre: Rock
Style: Blues Rock, Garage Rock, Rock & Roll

TRAXS

                  

01. As Long As I Have You   2:59
Written-By – Bob Elgin, Norman Meade
02. Nothing But A Heartache   2:41
Written-By – Tony Waddington, Wayne Bickerton
03. If You Don't Think   1:43
Written-By – James Brown
04. Leave My Kitten Alone   2:42
Written-By – James McDougal, Little Willie John, Titus Turner
05. (I Wanna Know) What's Going On   2:06
Written-By – Mac Rebennack, Seth David
06. Try Love   2:54
Piano – Eddie Hawrysch
Written-By – Willie Ray James
07. You'll Never Change   2:53
Written-By – Robert West, Willie Schofield
08. Puppet On A String   2:09
Written-By – Roland Davis
09. Only To Other People   2:27
Written-By – Artie Kornfeld, Gerry Goffin, Toni Wine
10. The Hurts All Gone   2:26
Piano – Eddie Hawrysch
Written-By – Jerry Ragovoy, Roy Alfred
11. My Delight   2:22
Written-By – Brenton Dowe, James McNaughton, Renford Cogle
12. On A Monday   1:42
Written-By – Traditional
13. Green Light   2:43
Backing Vocals [Additional] – Jeliana Frelitz, Melissa Glush, Ryan Pritts
Written-By – D. Gordon, Eddy Grant, Irving Gordon

MP3 @ 320 Size: 74 MB
Flac  Size: 180 MB

The Detroit Cobras on Urban Aspirines HERE

The Detroit Cobras: Life, Love And Leaving 2001 + Seven Easy Pieces (EP) 2003

 
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/Mary Ramirez (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.
                                                                        

Mink Rat or Rabbit
In what would prove to be the first in a long line of personal changes, Hill was replaced by Chris

Fachini by the time the Cobras released their third single (which also hit the stores in 1996), and their debut LP, Mink Rat or Rabbit, featured a third timekeeper, Damian Lang (who'd worked with Snake Out and Elvis Hitler). During the three years that passed before the Detroit Cobras appeared on the Jack White-produced compilation Sympathetic Sounds of Detroit, founder Shaw left the band, with Dante Aliano stepping in on guitar and Rob Smith taking over on bass.
                                                                                            

Life, Love and Leaving
Rachel Nagy's tough but soulful vocals and Maribel Restrepo's lean, muscular guitar lines would be the

group's only constants from this point on, though they would be enough to earn the group a potent following on the American garage scene and a major buzz in the United Kingdom, where they scored a deal with the fabled indie label Rough Trade, which released 2001's Life, Love and Leaving in Great Britain (it appeared on Sympathy for the Record Industry in the United States). (That LP also featured new guy Eddie Hawrsh on bass.)
                                                                         

Seven Easy Pieces

The two albums consisted entirely of cover versions of popular songs from the 1960s. 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 2004.
                                                                           

Baby

While veteran tunesmiths Ellie Greenwich and Jackie DeShannon expressed interest in writing material with the group, the fourth Cobras album, 2004's Baby, once again featured them rocking out on a stack of R&B dusties, though Greg Cartwright, who helped produce the album, did co-write an original with Nagy and Restrepo, "Hot Dog (Watch Me Eat)." The album also documented another Cobras lineup, with Nagy and Restrepo joined by Steve Nawara on guitar, Joe Mazzola on bass, and Kenny Tudrick on drums.
                                                                                         

Tied & True

After a brief hiatus and a move to Bloodshot Records, the Phil Spector-influenced Tied & True was released in 2007 with yet another rotation of musicians -- reintroducing Greg Cartwright and adding seasoned bassist Carol Schumacher, a fellow member of the Reigning Sound, to the ever-changing roster.
                                                                        

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.
Mark Deming

Discography: Albums and EPs
                                                                                

Mink, Rat or Rabbit - LP, CD, MP3 (1998, Sympathy for the Record Industry; reissued 2004 and 2016)
Life, Love and Leaving - LP, CD (2001, Sympathy for the Record Industry, Rough Trade; reissued 2004, Sinnamon Records, Rough Trade)
Life, Love and Leaving - remastered CD, MP3 (2016, Third Man)
Seven Easy Pieces (EP) - CD (2003, Rough Trade)
Baby - LP, CD, MP3 (2004, Rough Trade, Sinnamon Records; reissued 2005, Rough Trade)
Baby - Enhanced CD (2005, Bloodshot, BS 125 - includes Seven Easy Pieces and video of Cha Cha Twist)
Tied & True - LP, CD (2007, Rough Trade, Bloodshot, Fiveman Army; reissued 2011 Bloodshot)

LIFE, LOVE AND LEAVING    2001

                                                                     

TRAXS

                                                       

01. Hey Sailor  (Original by Mickey Lee Lane)
02. He Did It  (Original by the Ronettes)
03. Find Me a Home  (Original by Solomon Burke)
04. Oh My Lover  (Original by the Chiffons)
05. Cry On  (Original by Irma Thomas)
06. Stupidity  (Original by Solomon Burke)
07. Bye Bye Baby  (Original by Mary Wells)
08. Boss Lady  (Original by Davis Jones & The Fenders)
09. Laughing at You  (Original by The Gardenias)
10. Can't Miss Nothing  (Original by Ike and Tina Turner)
11. Right Around the Corner  (Original by The 5 Royales)
12. Won't You Dance With Me  (Original by Billy Lee and The Rivieras)
13. Let's Forget About the Past  (Original by Clyde McPhatter)
14. Shout Bama Lama  (Original by Otis Redding)

MEMBERS

 

 

Rachel Nagy – vocals
Maribel (Mary) Ramirez – guitar
Dante Aliano (Dante Adrian White) – guitar
Eddie Harsch – bass/organ/piano
Damian Lang – drums

Also

James Wailin – harmonica
Jeff Grand – slide guitar

MP3 @ 320 Size: 226 MB
Flac  Size: 74 MB

SEVEN EASY PIECES (EP)  2003

                                                    

TRAXS

 

 

01. Ya Ya Ya (Looking for My Baby)  (original written by Doc Starkes, Melvin Smith of the Nite Riders)
02. My Baby Loves the Secret Agent  (original written by Fred Sledge Smith of The Olympics)
03. Heartbeat  (original written by Edward C. Cobb for singer Gloria Jones)
04. You Don't Knock  (original written by Roebuck "Pops" Staples of The Staple Singers)
05. Silver & Gold (When I Get Like This)  (original written Carl Lebow and Otto Jeffries by for The "5" Royales)
06. 99 and a Half Just Won't Do  (original written by Ronald G. King for Dorothy Love Coates)
07. Insane Asylum  (original written by Willie Dixon for Koko Taylor)

MEMBERS

 

 
Rachel Nagy - Vocals
Mary Ramirez - Guitar / Vocals
Greg Cartwright - Guitar / Vocals on Insane Asylum
Eddie Harsch - Bass / Keys / Vocals
Kenny Tudrick - Drums / Vocals on Insane Asylum
Joey Mazzola - Guitar solo on Ya Ya Ya (Looking for My Baby)
Steve Nawara - additional Guitar on Silver & Gold (When I Get Like This)

MP3 @ 320 Size: 49 MB
Flac  Size: 134 MB

The Detroit Cobras: Mink, Rat or Rabbit HERE

The Detroit Cobras : Mink Rat Or Rabbit 1998

The Detroit Cobras signed with Sympathy for the Record Industry 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 formula proved popular in the UK and prompted the London-based Rough Trade Records to sign the band . They were one of the late , great John Peel's favourite live bands . 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 of 2007 , Bloodshot released the band's fourth full-length , " Tied & True " .

The band is known for multiple lineup changes , as noted in the side ba r . 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 .
The Detroit Cobras play The Santa Fe Brewing Co., 6 June , 2008

For the summer of 2009 , The Detroit Cobras are headlining a tour w/ the Dex Romweber Duo in support .

( Wiki )

Discography

Albums

Mink Rat or Rabbit (1998, Sympathy for the Record Industry)
Life, Love and Leaving (2001, Sympathy for the Record Industry)
Baby (2005, Bloodshot)
Tied & True (2007, Bloodshot)
The Original Recordings (Singles and Unreleased 1995-1997)

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 Trade)
Cha Cha Twist CD, 7" (2004, Rough Trade)
Ya Ya Ya 7" (2008, Stag-O-Lee)


Members


Rachel Nagy - Vocals
Maribel (Mary) Ramirez - Guitar/Vocals
Steve Shaw - Guitar/Vocals
Jeff Meier - Bass
Damian Lang - Drums/Vocals

TRACKS

1. Cha Cha Twist
Original by Brice Coefield
2. I'll Keep Holding On
Original by The Marvelettes
3. Putty (In Your Hands)
Original by The Shirelles
4. Easier To Cry
Original by The Shangri-Las
5. Bad Girl
Original by The Oblivians
6. Summer (The Slum)
Original by The 5 Royales
7. Midnight Blues
Original by Charlie Rich
8. You Knows What To Do
Original by Barrett Strong
9. Can't Do Without You
Original by Dusty Wilson
10. Hittin' On Nothing
Original by Irma Thomas
11. Out Of This World
Original by Gino Washington
12. Chumbawa
Original by Gabriel And The Angels
13. Breakaway
Original by Jackie Deshannon

Size 77 MB Bitrate 320 MP3 Take It Here

Size 241 Flac Take It Here