The Gories

All Music Guide:

The emergence of the Gories heralded a new Golden Age of Detroit rock beginning in the late '80s; a renaissance of noise and rustbelt rock which lasts through to today. Formed in 1986 by three Detroit natives, none of whom previously knew how to play an instrument -- Mick Collins, Peg O'Neill, and Dan Kroha -- they took their name from a band of the same name which appeared in the "Gidget" series of the late '50s/early '60s. Comprised of two guitarists and a drummer (i.e. no bass), the Gories concocted a primal, raw yet soulful blend of garage punk, culling a wealth of inspiration and cover material from Bo Diddley, Howlin' Wolf, and John Lee Hooker. The three-piece also paid homage to the Keggs and Nick & the Jaguars, two other bass-less bands from Detroit.

The Gories began their recorded career in 1987 with two tracks on the Wanghead compilation It Came from the Garage II, the same compilation which featured Nine Pound Hammer (who would go on to become Nashville Pussy). Len Punch, the owner of Wanghead, recorded and released their first album, Houserockin', in 1989. According to legend, these first Gories recordings were executed in a tin shack. For their second album, Alex Chilton of Big Star joined them as producer, recording I Know You Fine, But How You Doin' for the French label New Rose. Throughout this entire period, the band continued to release various 7" singles, including a cover of Spinal Tap's "Give Me Some Money" for the Sub Pop Singles Club. In 1992, Crypt released Outta Here, their last album, and then re-released both Houserockin' and I Know You Fine in 1994.

Since the demise of the Gories, Mick Collins has continued to perform in Blacktop, King Sound Quartet, the Screws, the Dirtbombs, and has contributed to Andre Williams' Silky and The Black Godfather and Speedball Baby's Uptight. Dan Kroha spent some time in Rocket 455, but is primarily known for being one third of another Detroit bass-free rock band, the Demolition Doll Rods. Peg O'Neill recorded a few tracks with '68 Comeback and is in the Darkest Hours from New Orleans.

Wikipedia:

The Gories are an American garage rock trio that formed in Detroit in 1986. They were among the first 1980s garage punk bands to incorporate overt blues influences. The band features Mick Collins (of The Dirtbombs), Dan Kroha (of The Demolition Doll Rods) on guitar and vocals, and Peggy O'Neill on drums.

While the band originally broke up in 1992 after a European tour. The band reformed in July 2009 for a reunion tour across Europe, along with co-headliners The Oblivians. The band reconvened for a second reunion tour in 2010, this time across North America.

History [edit]

The Gories were formed in 1986 by metro-Detroit natives Mick Collins, Dan Kroha, and Peggy O'Neill. The Gories took their name from a band that appeared on the 1960s television show Gidget. The band members, which at that time dressed in mod clothing, were friends for over a year before they decided to start the band. [1]. At the time they formed the Gories, only Collins had had any musical experience, and they had to teach themselves how to play. [2] The Gories released their first album, "Houserockin'," in 1989. The album was allegedly recorded in a Quonset hut. The release had been predated by a cassette-only collection of demos and live recordings, with extremely limited retail distribution in the metro Detroit area. [3] The band recorded the follow-up LP, "I Know You Fine, but How You Doin'," in 1990. They soon signed to the German label Crypt Records and released "Outta Here." After only three albums, the band suffered an infamous break-up in 1992. Mick Collins went on to form various bands including Blacktop and The Dirtbombs, while Dan Kroha joined Rocket 455 and later formed the Demolition Doll Rods and The Readies. Peggy O'Neill went on to join '68 Comeback and Darkest Hours. [4]

The Gories reunion [edit]

On September 30, 2008, via the Goner Records message board, Greg Cartwright of the Oblivians announced that the Gories and the Oblivians would play reunion shows in Detroit and Memphis, as well as multiple shows across Europe in the summer of 2009. The Detroit Free Press reported the reunion on April 1, 2009. [1] Detroit's free weekly newspaper the Metro Times ran a cover story on the Gories in its June 24, 2009, issue. The Oblivians-Gories show at the Majestic Theater in Detroit on June 26, 2009. It was sold out and featured WFMU DJ Mr. Fine Wine playing records between acts.