Presented by DHP, The Gories will be live aboard Thekla on Tuesday 9th July 2024.
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 that lasts
through to today. Formed in 1986 by three Detroit natives — Mick Collins, Peg
O’Neill, and Dan Kroha (none of whom previously knew how to play an
instrument) — the Gories took their name from a band of the same name that
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 bassless 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 that
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 third album and what would be their last for some
time to come.
Following an especially tumultuous European tour, the Gories broke up
unceremoniously. Mick Collins continued to perform in Blacktop, King Sound
Quartet, the Screws, and the Dirtbombs, and contributed to Andre
Williams’ Silky and The Black Godfather and Speedball Baby’s Uptight. Dan
Kroha spent some time in Rocket 455, the gender-bending bassless trio the
Demolition Doll Rods, and Danny and the Darleens, as well as playing solo and
making multiple cameo appearances. Peg O’Neill recorded a few tracks
with ’68 Comeback and played for a time with New Orleans act the Darkest
Hours.
In 2009, the Gories reunited to play a handful of shows with their former sister
band, the Oblivians, who were also re-forming after a lengthy hiatus. Shows in
Detroit, Memphis, and throughout Europe that summer led to more sporadic
Gories shows in the years that followed, bringing the band out of a decidedly
disbanded phase into a state of semi-activity. In late 2013 a live album
entitled The Shaw Tapes surfaced, comprised of gritty audio from a sparsely
attended 1988 gig at a rented storefront outside of Detroit. The live album was
released on Third Man Records, label of the White Stripes’ Jack White, an
outspoken fan of the Gories and someone whose music was deeply influenced
by the band.
Tickets on sale 5th March via Alt Tickets.
