Garage Rock Venom: Detroit Cobras, Romans & Matt Truman rock Frankie's

Listen Up Toledo  |  03/20/2012 7:00 am

Toledo's legendary local rock-n-roll hole in the wall, Frankie's, has presented an exceptionally awesome array of live rock awesomeness lately. But this weekend might be a cake-taker.

Headlining the bill on Saturday night is the sultry, gritty, garage rock snarl of the Detroit Cobras. A long-time staple around their namesake city, the Cobras were a crowd favorite cover band who billed among the number of bands fronting the Motor City's turn-of-the-century rebirth, including the White Stripes, Soledad Brothers, The Come Ons, The Sights, Electric Six, etc, etc, etc. Known for high-powered, ass-shaking live shows and constant line-up changes that have left a trail 20-plus deep of former members (including Toledo's own Rob Smith), the Detroit Cobras are party-powered rust belt legends.

Motivated all the while by the creative juices of band-leader Rachel Nagy, and guitarists Mary Ramirez and Gina Rodriguez, the Detroit Cobras first signed to the Sympathy for the Record Industry label in the late '90s, releasing the acclaimed Mink, Rat, or Rabbit album (featuring its legendary cover art). The band's sound caught on overseas, particularly in the UK, and was picked up by London's Rough Trade Records. Gaining momentum, the Detroit Cobras began to inch toward writing their own music, and were eventually picked up by the ever-cool Bloodshot Records label in the US.

Helping the Cobras kick out the jams at Frankie's Saturday is a very special, rare appearance from Romans, featuring Toledo's own Jeremy Lublin (of We Are the Fury) on vocals. A musical grab-bag of the best of 20th Century rock-n-roll, Romans delve into classic rock, pop, glam, punk, and more as they wail through one original number after another. Also on the bill, one of Toledo's best-loved bands, the Matt Truman Ego Trip, rocks out with wailing guitar riffs, hot licks, face melting rock, and glamtastic burst of sonic energy, all packed up in catchy-as-all songs. 

In short, if you love rock-n-roll ? this is a show you don't want to miss.

Detroit Cobras, Romans, and The Matt Truman Ego Trip play Frankie's Inner City (308 Main Street) on Saturday, March 24. Doors at 9 p.m. $13 advance, $15 at the door. www.frankiesinnercity.com

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