The Dirtbombs

One of <a href="spotify:artist:2zqkAaFzXl12nBCVlGDJZi">Mick Collins</a>' many post-<a href="spotify:artist:5tcr1ujTO3Q0WH2wkY7RWh">Gories</a> projects, the Dirtbombs initially seemed to exist more in concept than in reality. As if in reaction to the bass-less sound of <a href="spotify:artist:5tcr1ujTO3Q0WH2wkY7RWh">the Gories</a>, the Detroit-based band brought together two drummers, two bass players, and <a href="spotify:artist:2zqkAaFzXl12nBCVlGDJZi">Collins</a> on vocals and guitar. And other than consistently loud volumes and lots of noise, the Dirtbombs actually displayed a surprisingly diverse sound, composing across a broad spectrum of styles from garage rock, punk, and glam to classic soul and R&B. They began primarily as a 7" band, issuing five singles before Larry Hardy of <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22In+the+Red%22">In the Red</a> convinced them to record a full-length, 1998's Horndog Fest. After issuing another handful of singles, the Dirtbombs released their sophomore album, Ultraglide in Black, in May 2001. An album devoted to vintage R&B covers, Ultraglide in Black won the band a growing following in Europe, aided by frequent overseas touring (including a jaunt with <a href="spotify:artist:4F84IBURUo98rz4r61KF70">the White Stripes</a>). <a href="spotify:artist:2zqkAaFzXl12nBCVlGDJZi">Collins</a> and company returned to a tougher, more rock-oriented sound for 2003's Dangerous Magical Noise, and came back in 2005 with Billiards at Nine Thirty, a split album with <a href="spotify:artist:36cEnU1vYfohStmnt8y3T2">King Khan & the Shrines</a>. That same May, <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22In+the+Red%22">In the Red</a> released If You Don't Already Have a Look, a two-disc compilation that featured 52 tracks comprised of cover tunes, singles, and six new songs.

By this point, the Dirtbombs' revolving lineup had more or less solidified around <a href="spotify:artist:2zqkAaFzXl12nBCVlGDJZi">Collins</a>, drummers Ben Blackwell and Pat Pantano, and bassists Ko Shih and <a href="spotify:artist:0wo6Wt46YnIxNhtiCAC6E7">Troy Gregory</a>. The quintet continued to tour, licensed their music for use in several commercials, and returned to the studio in fall 2006 to begin working on a new release. Although originally intended to be a four-song EP, the project soon turned into the band's fourth full-length effort. Entitled We Have You Surrounded, it was released in February 2008. Following this the band released singles for <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22In+the+Red%22">In the Red</a> and <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Cass%22">Cass</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:2zqkAaFzXl12nBCVlGDJZi">Collins</a> took time to play with a reunited <a href="spotify:artist:5tcr1ujTO3Q0WH2wkY7RWh">Gories</a>, and the bandmembers plotted their next move. When it came, it was a surprise to many. Released in 2011, Party Store reflected <a href="spotify:artist:2zqkAaFzXl12nBCVlGDJZi">Collins</a>' love of the electronic sounds of his hometown and featured the band tackling songs by the techno scene's founding fathers (<a href="spotify:artist:208EQzx7RmoE2Ng9gF2edh">Juan Atkins</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:0v6N0xV7AfHHKVcgUOjC51">Derrick May</a>), innovators (<a href="spotify:artist:17dbJyUCrxh4I7iyUrjaHU">Carl Craig</a>), and hitmakers (<a href="spotify:artist:0vUJ3QLN3MlRfjOc2LjGWp">Inner City</a>) in their inimitable style. For their next trick, the band fulfilled <a href="spotify:artist:2zqkAaFzXl12nBCVlGDJZi">Collins</a>' dream of recording an album that reflected his lifelong love of bubblegum music. Ooey Gooey Chewy Ka-Blooey! was released by <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22In+the+Red%22">In the Red</a> in fall of 2013. ~ Alex Zorn & Tim Sendra, Rovi