This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
The Detroit Cobras, Making Old Rock New
The Detroit Cobras' members pluck their songs from early rock's dustiest margins.
Listen
0:00
Listen
Modern-day garage-rock bands often perform with an ear for the old-fashioned. But The Detroit Cobras' members don't just draw inspiration from the raw sounds of early rock 'n' roll: They've spent the last decade or so plucking their actual songs from the genre's dustiest margins.
The Detroit Cobras' new CD, Tied & True, features tunes made famous in the '60s by the likes of Bettye LaVette, Art Neville, The Flirtations and Irma Thomas, who was a major hero of singer and pianist Rachel Nagy. And while The Beatles covered one of these tracks, "Leave My Kitten Alone," the styles and sounds here have little to do with early rock and pop's standards.
Nagy and guitarist Mary Ramirez recently sat down to discuss their many musical influences, as well as the factors that go into The Detroit Cobras' song selection.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. 9(MDA1OTI3MjQ5MDEyODUwMTE2MzM1YzNmZA004))
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
