When Memphis and Detroit Make Brooklyn Their Own

The Detroit Cobras; Reigning Sound; Hell on Hells
@Southpaw
Brooklyn, NY - October 13, 2005

Continuing this year's stream of Detroit bands refusing to go away, the Detroit Cobras defy the odds and continue to pound out good old time rock n roll. The Sinatras of garage (they've only written 1 original song and do old obscure covers), the Cobras are led by the jailhouse chanteuse (and I mean that totally as a compliment) Rachel Nagy, who maintains a sensational voice live though she doesn't go nuts with it (the constant booze and cigs don't help though, it should be said). Maribel Restrespo is the able lead guitarist and the rest of the band are just some good playing guys they string along...except on this night. The loud, raw Memphis-basedReigning Sound are led by Greg Cartwright, and while a few Reigning Sound songs get a bit overdone and bland, it is all made up for by earnest heart-pounding playing and other excellent songs. Cartwright is a madman on vocals and his "Tennessee Rose" Grestch. And so it was perfect when Greg returned to play guitar with the Cobras. Truly a fun time had by all. Mwahaha. Openers from Phoenix, Hell on Hells sport a gimmicky 50's bad girl look but they play fun punk garage. They have a Little Steven played ditty, a cover called that goes along the lines of "You Ain't So Cool (sha la la)"...they were good, satisfying openers.