At its best rock ‘n’ roll is feral, a wild uncontrolled mix of influences bent on emphasizing a beat. Unfortunately, major label signings of cookie cutter assembly line acts have diluted the public’s perception of how incredible an experience good rock ‘n’ roll can be. Which is what makes Detroit singer/guitarist Mick Collins and his band, The Dirtbombs, so important. True, they’ve only been a going concern since 1996 and have somehow managed over a dozen line up changes in that short amount of time. However, both in the studio and especially on the concert stage, no matter the line up, the group has continually delivered high octane tunes with ease.
Collins has been a garage rock legend ever since the mid-’80s when he led the Gories, a bassless group that was likely an inspiration for the nascent White Stripes and countless other Michigan groups. Forming the Dirtbombs, Collins took the other extreme and used two bassists as well as two drummers. The thick, bottom-end sound of the rhythm section contrasts superbly with Collins’ gritty guitar work, making for a sound that hits the gut and starts the feet tapping immediately. It’s a template that’s unlikely to see the inclusion of a ballad in the set list, but still has songs that can be just as moving.
Mixing in touches of everything from glam and punk to soul and vintage R&B, the band put out five vinyl singles between 1996 and ’98, before finally releasing their debut long player, “Horndog Fest.” Following another pair of 45’s, the band released its breakthrough album, “Electraglide in Black,” in 2001. A tribute of sorts to the music Collins heard as a child, this collection of mostly vintage R&B covers garnered the band both critical acclaim, as well as a growing following. Building on good will from tours of Europe with the Gories, Collins and the Dirtbombs traveled around Europe on a frequent basis, with a number of exclusive and collectable releases issued to coincide with various stops around the world. Notably The White Stripes had the band open for them on a world tour, and also released a split single in conjunction with the group.
The band has remained prolific in the ensuing years. 2003 brought the release of the harder edged “Dangerous Magical Noise,” while in 2005 the group released a split album with the group King Khan and his Shrines, “Billiards at Nine Thirty.” The quintet’s latest disc, “If You Don’t Already Have A Look,” is likely the perfect introduction to the band, showing their growth across 52 tracks previously available only on various out-of-print singles. The bonus of six new tracks brings the whole package up to date, though there is enough left over material for at least one further compilation..
Currently on tour in support of the compilation, The Dirtbombs return to the Casbah on March 25. Alongside Collins will be drummers Ben Blackwell and Pat Pantano, as well as bassist’s Ko Shih and Troy Gregory. With countless side bands, such as the Screws and the King Sound Quartet, as well as a burgeoning production career diverting Collins away from any one project, performances from The Dirtbombs are becoming a less frequent occurrence, and in the recent collecting of the bands rarities, some see the closing of a chapter in Collins’ career. Either way, whether you’re a fan of rock ‘n’ roll played with manic abandon or simply want to see one of the architects of the current Detroit garage punk sound, then the Casbah will be the only place to be on March 25.