The Dirtbombs Ultraglide In Black & Show # 921

The second full-length album by The Dirtbombs is Ultraglide In Black. Released in 2001 on In The Red Records, this album followed 1998’s Horndog Fest and a series of singles. Fronted by Detroit musician Mick Collins, this album and the band (made up of two bassists, two drummers and Collins on vocals/guitars) play a series of 60s and 70s soul and funk covers in tribute to the black music that Collins grew up with. These songs are reimagined brilliantly in a garage, gritty and fuzzy Dirtbombs style. The album’s cover pays homage to a 1967 album by Stevie Wonder called I Was Made To Love Her. Having also been in The Gories, Blacktop, The Screws and others, The Dirtbombs were a band that started as a side project in 1992. In 1995 they began recording and in 1996 started releasing singles. The first Dirtbombs single was the incendiary High Octane Salvation. The Dirtbombs lineup has altered during the years, but on this recording The Dirtbombs featured Mick Collins on vocals/guitar, Jim Diamond (bass), Tom Potter (fuzz bass), Patrick Pantano (drums) and Ben Blackwell on drums.

During this early 2000’s period, there was a burgeoning garage rock scene in Detroit. In 2000, The Dirtbombs released two singles (Brucia I Cavi & Headlights On) in addition to a split single with The White Stripes (Cedar Point ‘78/Hand Springs). They also toured extensively in the US, Europe and parts of Canada around this time. The Dirtbombs released Party Store in 2011. Seen as a sequel of sorts to Ultraglide In Black, this album is made up of covers of early Detroit techno songs. In 2013, they released a bubblegum pop record featuring all originals in this style called Ooey Gooey Chewy Ka-blooey! The Dirtbombs have released seven full-length albums, not counting singles, EPs and compilations. Collins has also recorded and released music with King Sound Quartet, The Voltaire Brothers, Danny Kroha, Wolfmanhattan Project and others (in addition to doing production work for other groups and his own).

“Chains of Love” starts off Ultraglide in Black with an undeniable fuzzy, yet soulful groove. A cover of a song by J.J. Barnes from 1967, The Dirtbombs begin this album with a song tackling themes of love and love lost. “If You Can Want” originally by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles comes next comes next in all its soulful, fuzzed out glory. “Underdog” is a song originally by Sly & The Family Stone, executed here with raved up garage, funk fashion. With lyrics such as “I know how it feels when you know you're real/But every other time/You get up and get a raw deal” and “I don't mind/I'm the underdog/No I can handle it/I'm the underdog,” this song brings forth a social commentary message of underdogs that have to prove themselves to be “twice as good.” “Your Love Belongs Under A Rock” is a short soulful track with ? and The Mysterians styled-organ sounds. Filled with enthusiasm and uninhibited Detroit rock and rock sounds, this track is the only original song found on Ultraglide In Black.

Other highlights include their take on Parliments “I’ll Wait,” Curtis Mayfield’s “Kung Fu,” Marvin Gaye’s “Got To Give It Up,” and “Living For The City.” Originally by Stevie Wonder and released in 1973, this song features some altered lyrics further emphasizing the urban struggle message and social commentary in the song with a fourth verse sung in Spanish. “Ode To A Black Man” is a song originally by Phil Lynott (of Thin Lizzy). This song is another strong moment with a bass heavy, moving rendition performed by The Dirtbombs that celebrates black leaders and cultural icons. “Living For The Weekend” is a raved up garage punk rendition of The O’Jays 1976 hit single that features a blues breakdown towards the ending moments. “I’m Qualified To Satisfy You” originally by Barry White features bouncing soulful bass with an unmistakable groove, while “Do You See My Love (For You Growing)” ends Ultraglide In Black. Originally by Jr. Walker & His All-Stars, it is found here by The Dirtbombs in a loose, yet spontaneous feel. Infusing garage with soul and a funk style, lyrics such as “Look into my heart baby/Look back at the memories/Tell me what do you see/Do you see my love for your growing” end Ultraglide In Black with a message that revels with possibility. 

House Rockin' Playlist (Originally Aired On February 12th, 2022):

1.  The Gories - Baby Say Unh! (Baby Say Unh! - Estrus Records - 1992)
2.  The Couvairs - Shake Baby (Shine On Sweet Starlet (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - Sympathy For The Record Industry - 1998)
3.  The Voltair Brothers - The Mother Ones (I Sing The Booty Electric - Fall Of Rome - 2003)
4.  Mick Collins & Danny Kroha - Welcome To The Cemetery Club (Winter Blues and Greens - Epitaphs and Elegies by Vincent Kim Fowley - Norton Records - 2013)
5.  Wolfmanhattan Project - Sticky (Blue Gene Stew - In The Red Recordings - 2019)
6.  The Dirtbombs - Jump and Shout (Ooey Gooey Chewy Ka-blooey! - In The Red Recordings - 2013)
7.  The Dirtbombs - Alleys of Your Mind (Party Store - In The Red Recordings - 2011)
8.  George "Wild Child" Butler - Gravy Child (Keep On Doing What You're Doing - Mercury Records - 1969(
9.  Mel Brown - Chicken Fat (Chicken Fat - Impulse! - 1967)
10. Howlin' Wolf - How Many More Years (Moanin' In The Moonlight - Chess Records - 1959)
11. Lonnie Johnson - There's No Love (Blues  - Bluesville - 1960)
12. The Meters - Funky Miracle (Look-Ka Py Py - Josie - 1969)
13. The Meters - Ease Back (The Meters - Josie - 1969)
14. Eddie Bo - Every Dog Gets Its Day (Tell It Like It Is/Every Dog Gets Its Day  - Ric Records/Quality - 1960)
15. Jackie Shane - Comin' Down (Any Other Way - Numero Group - 2017)
16. Jackie Shane - In My Tenement (Any Other Way - Numero Group - 2017)
17. Nina Simone - Mississippi Goddam Nina Simone (In Concert  - Phillips - 1964)
18. Salome Bey - Song From Blue S.A. (Salome Bey - CBC Radio Canada - 1970)
19. Andy And The Bey Sisters - Revenge (Andy And The Bey Sisters - RCA/Victor - 1961)
20. Yves Jarvis - Body of Work (Body of Work  - 2021)
21. Un Blonde - Understanding (Tenet - Bruised Tongue - 2015)
22. Faux Fur - Laundromat (Faux Fur - 2013)
23. Souvenir - Ransom (Collapse - 2021)
24. The Gories - Charm Bag (House Rockin' - Wanghead Records - 1989)
25. The Gories - Sister Ann (House Rockin' - Wanghead Records - 1989)
26. The King Sound Quartet - I Wouldn't Put It Past You (The Getdown Imperative - In The Red Recordings - 1997)
27. The Screws - Jesse Lee (Hate Filled Classics - In The Red Recordings - 1998)
28. Blacktop - Blazing Streets (I've Got A Baaad Feelin' About This: The Complete Recordings - In The Red Recordings - 2003)
29. The Dirtbombs - Burnt To Cinders (Horndog Fest - In The Red Recordings - 1998)
30. The Dirtbombs - I'll Wait (Ultraglide In Black - In The Red Recordings - 2001)

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the February 12 file to download/stream the episode.