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.

Coming Up On Revolution Rock in February 2022!

As February arrives, Revolution Rock is prepping for its annual theme month programming. Every episode that airs in February will be devoted to a specific theme. Dave and Adam have some cool programming lined up ranging from our annual Black History Month program to our Revolution Surf episode. Revolution Rock can be streamed and downloaded from cjam.ca (and also after it airs on this website). Last year Revolution Rock became a syndicated program and can now be heard on twelve other campus/community radio stations across Canada in addition to CJAM FM.

Continue reading to find out about this year’s schedule for Theme Month:

Stones in Exile: The 50th Anniversary of The Rolling Stones Exile On Main Street Album
Saturday February 5th, 2021
7-9 PM EST
CJAM 99.1 FM (www.cjam.ca)

Originally released in May of 1972, Exile On Main Street is a double album released by The Rolling Stones. The recording of the album began in 1969 and continued into 1971 in the South of France in a villa rented by Keith Richard named Nellcote. At the time the band was living abroad as tax exiles, the basement rooms of the villa became the studio where the band would record the album. Recordings stretched across many days and nights as the band worked with a mobile recording unit. The sessions were described as disorganized and loose. At the time there were many other factors at play during the recordings including drug use, the conditions of the studio, growing disparity between the band members and their personal lives, hangers on and people coming by during the sessions. However as a result, Exile On Main Street was pieced together from these sessions in a double that many feel is The Rolling Stones at their best and most creative. Overdubs were done at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles. Musically the album dove into blues, country, gospel and rock and roll music in a variety of styles. Although it was met with some mixed reviews at the time of its release, it is now seen as one of their best. In 2010, a 40th anniversary edition of the album was released which featured a bonus disc made up of outtakes and alternate versions of songs recorded for the album. On this episode we will play the album in its entirety, but with a twist. We will be playing the full album, but made up of different versions of the songs from the sessions and live recordings. The show will also feature a selection of outtakes recorded from the session.

Houserockin’: Revolution Rock Celebrates Black History Month
Saturday February 12th, 2021
7-9 PM EST
CJAM 99.1 FM (www.cjam.ca)

In the mid 1980’s Mick Collins helped form the seminal and now legendary garage punk band The Gories in Detroit, Michigan. The band, who still plays live to this day features Mick Collins on vocals/guitar, Dan Kroha on guitar/vocals and Peg O’Neil on drums. After three albums and a series of singles the band broke up after a European tour in 1992. Collins also formed The Dirtbombs in 1992. The band started as a side project and started recording in 1995. They went on to go much further than that blended diverse influences such as punk, soul also featuring dual bass guitar and a dual drum and guitar lineup. The band has had an ever-changing lineup. Every album the band releases is different, but not in the traditional sense. For example 2011’s Party Store features rock covers of early Detroit techno and house music, 2001’s Ultraglide in Black is a collection of soul, R&B and Motown covers, 2013’s Ooey Gooey Chewy Ka-blooey! is a bubble gum record. Mick has also been involved in many other bands such as Blacktop, King Sound Quartet and more recently Wolfmanhattan Project. On this episode of Revolution Rock, we will have sets of music featuring music with Mick Collins, as well as sets of music from other artists and genres such as Nina Simone, Howlin' Wolf and Salome Bey in celebration of Black History Month.

Still YC: A Special On You’ve Change Records
Saturday February 19th, 2021
7-9 PM EST
CJAM 99.1 FM (www.cjam.ca) 

 You’ve Changed Records is an independent, artist run record label. Founded in 2009 by Daniel Romano and Steven Lambke, the label celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2019. The first official released on You’ve Changed Records was Shotgun Jimmie’s Still Jimmie in 2009. The label has released music by Shotgun Jimmie, The Weather Station, Marine Dreams, Partner, Nap Eyes, Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, Fiver, Jon McKiel, Status/Non-Status, Julie Doiron, music from Steven Lambke and Daniel Romano and other bands that he has been a part of or collaborated with such as Daniel Romano’s Outfit, Ancient Shapes, Baby Eagle, Julie Doiron. Each release that You’ve Changed releases has its own unique art/album covers and design. Romano started out playing in indie folk acts Attack In Black and Daniel, Fred & Julie. Steven Lambke is known as being a member of the band Constantines. He has also been the creative director of Sappyfest since 2017 and has released music as Baby Eagle and as a solo artist. In 2020, Daniel Romano released numerous albums at an amazing rate. Nine albums, an EP and a 22-minute track with Tool’s Danny Carey were released by Romano in 2020. A major feat for any artist and all of them are great. On this episode we will feature selections from the You’ve Change Records discography.

Revolution Surf 2022
Saturday February 26th, 2021
7-9 PM EST
CJAM 99.1 FM (www.cjam.ca)

Every year theme month ends with our annual surf rock special titled Revolution Surf. Early surf music’s sound was dominated by the use of reverb units that were developed by Fender guitars in 1961. In the future they would be built into the amplifier, but at this point in the early 60s, they were separate units utilizing springs that helped to create that reverby sound that emulates what waves sound like. Now you can just add it as a setting when using a computer or on a guitar pedal or amplifier. For this year’s episode there will be no theme. The episode will be made up of a mixture of new and old surf and instrumental music from the past and present. Whether it was made with an old-fashioned reverb unit or one of the more modern reverb methods, Revolution Surf will end out this year’s theme month once again with a mix of surf sounds.

Wolfmanhattan Project and An Interview With Kid Congo Powers & Show # 795

Wolfmanhattan Project is a band made up of Mick Collins (The Gories, The Dirtbombs), Kid Congo Powers (The Cramps, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Gun Club and The Pink Monkey Birds) and drummer Bob Bert (Sonic Youth, Pussy Galore, Lydia Lunch’s Retrovirus) that first had a single out in in 2015. The single which featured the song “Smells Like You” backed with “You Are My Glue”, was described on In The Red Records website as “trashy, swampy, sleazy, damaged music you'd expect from the gentlemen involved." In April of 2019, a full-length album was released from this group entitled Blue Gene Stew. This long awaited debut album creates its own musical atmosphere with elements of garage, punk and no wave. Lyrically, the music often ventures into sci-fi obsessions, conspiracy theories and a psychedelic trippiness.

Blue Gene Stew starts off with “Delay Is The Deadliest”. Sung by Bob Bert, the song features off kilter guitar riffs travelling into punk and no wave territory while lyrically Bert rants over top. “Now Now Now” digs into a deeper psychedelic groove. Kid Congo Powers vocals levitate above the dual guitar attack that he and Collins deliver with the words “What you say is what you do now/Cause what you say is what you do now now now” that repeat themselves in a hallucinogenic fashion. “Braid of Smoke” floats into the listener’s subconscious with a gritty, R&B psych style as Collins sings visual, abstract lyrics. The song ends in an explosion of drums and distorted guitar solos. “I Feel You” features sci-fi sounding effects with cowbell and primal drums throughout this rockabilly rave-up with raunchily poetic lyrics supplied by Powers, “Sticky” is a sleazy garage song with lyrics projecting a modern day paranoia, “Jar in a Suitcase” revels in its strangeness. Featuring Lydia Lunch, the song portrays an experimental spooky, sci-fi funky aesthetic as Lunch and Collins trade off vocals, while “Silver Sun” deflects a grimy garage aesthetic.

“Toynbee Tiles” unwinds itself with the tale of the mystery of the Toynbee Tiles. These tiles began appearing mysteriously in US major cities in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Although their origin is still unknown, these tiles were found embedded in the asphalt in the streets of about two dozen US major cities and places in South America. They bore the message “Toynbee idea/In 2001 movie/Resurrect the dead/On planet Jupiter.” This message appears throughout this song in different variations, sung by Bob Bert in a chant-like way between complex samba rhythms, strange Doppler sound effects and pitch altered vocals that move with a beat poetry make up putting the listener into a trance-like state. The song explores a futuristic, yet surrealist sonic soundscape that could easily apply itself to our modern day outlook of the world. “Last Train to Babylon” ends Blue Gene Stew. This song brings forth a sort of distracted blues with psychedelic sounding guitar effects as the drums hold down the centre. Lyrically, Collins sings, “Flying saucers landing now/Deliver us the newborn king,” and “The towers of Babylon are burning/Board the train and seal the deal” stressing the need for something new among the ongoing chaos and destruction.

Recorded over several sessions, Blue Gene Stew features baritone guitars. This type of guitar differs from a standard guitar. It is a deeper sounding guitar with a longer scale length. The album also features standard guitar, along with drums and other instruments that all add to the overall sound of Blue Gene Stew. While their previous musical foundations still permeate the music on this album, Blue Gene Stew is not exactly what you might expect from Mick Collins, Kid Congo Powers and Bob Bert. With Blue Gene Stew, Wolfmanhattan Project explores a different musical landscape. It is one weird, wild trip that you won’t be able to forget you took.

Listen to Revolution Rock's Interview with Kid Congo Powers here:



Show 795 (Kid Congo Powers Interview):

1. Wilco - Everyone Hides
2. Surf Curse - River's Edge
3. Angel Olsen - What It Is
4. Kurt Vile (Featuring The Sadies) - Baby's Arms
5. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds - Ghosteen Speaks
6. Kid Congo & The Pink Monkey Birds - Rare as the Yeti

KID CONGO POWERS INTERVIEW PT.I

7. Gun Club - Eternity Is Here
8. The Cramps - Rockin' Bones
9. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds - City of Refuge

KID CONGO POWERS INTERVIEW PT.II

10. Wolfmanhattan Project - Now Now Now
11. Teenanger - Bank Account
12. Psychic Void - Dirty Hands (CJAM Session)
13. The Leather Uppers - 1000 Lashes
14. Orville Peck - Winds Change
15. Bloodshot Bill - Be My Own
16. Light Bulb Alley - Roads Must Part
17. Wax Mannequin - Chance to Dance
18. Women - Locust Valley
19. The Cramps - Thee Most Exalted Potentate of Love (Live)
20. Kid Congo & The Pink Monkey Birds - La Arana

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for October 5.