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There Is A Difference
There Is A Difference is the Demolition Doll Rods fourth album and second for
Swami. Recorded by Gar Wood (Hot Snakes, Beehive and the Barracudas) There Is A
Difference is the sound of bodily fluid soaked speakers and passionate testimonials. This
is Soul music, this is Garage Rock, this is the Blues, this is Punk Rock, and this is the
new Gospel without the hype or Vaseline.
There Is A Difference continues in the tradition of the band’s sonic defiance and
spiritual acceptance. Although the band continues to decapitate with slicing guitars that
emulate helicopter blades and drums that plod and deliberate with a slave ship-like
menace, Margaret’s obvious positive inspiration blankets the mix. Whether we are
moved by their raw soul, pushed by their fuzz, or held down by the weight of their
exploding percussiveness, The Demolition Doll Rods ultimately lift those of us willing to
invite this noise into our heads.
The three members of the Doll Rods consist of Margaret, Thumper and Danny Doll
Rod. Margaret Doll Rod wails on lead vocals and also wields the guitar with the erupting
low end. Thumper Doll Rod plays the drums but not the cymbals. Who needs em? She
can also be heard singing on “Baby said Unh!” Along with caring for exotic, wild
animals, Thumper is a true triple threat in the classic sense of the word. Danny Doll Rod
is responsible for the overdriven, air raid siren guitar action. Danny also sings lead on
“Booty Call” and on a blazing version of the Richard and the Young Lions classic “Open
Up The Door” as well as back up’s throughout. The Doll Rods continue to tour the globe
(USA, Canada, Europe, Brazil) most likely accompanied by their two pug dogs Benny
and Mabilene. On tour, all five sleep in their van every day and drive every night living a
vampiric schedule yet subsisting on a completely raw, vegan diet. The Doll Rods are
“lifers” and thus their realized artistic visions are their way of life. Live they are a
baptism in sweat, a high decibel revival and a celebration of having an ass to shake.
Formed in 1996, the band broke through the gate with tours with The Cramps, Jon
Spencer Blues Explosion (who would later produce the band) and albums on Matador
(1999’s TLA) and In The Red (1997’s Tasty). 2004’s ON (Swami) showed the Doll Rods
embracing a psychedelicized futuristic adaptation of guttural Rhythm and Blues. Iggy
Pop proclaimed in Mojo, “The best band from Detroit”. With There Is A Difference the
band returns to a more visceral connection to the soul fuzz sound they created which
inspired the likes of The White Stripes, Detroit Cobras and Von Bondies.
The primordial gunk that drools from the oily tundra of Detroit has infected the way we
all hear and want our music. It’s a historical lineage that might possibly predate the
pounding pagan rituals of the Ottawa, Chippewa and Potawatomi tribes but most
certainly exploded in tandem with the social rebellion of the American 1960’s. Black and
White collided in violence and blurred at the fringes. The need for change mothered a
musical revolution; it’s aftershocks refusing to relent to this day. As the 20/20 view of the
rear view mirror keeps our necks cricked and eyes fixed behind us, today’s pioneers get
weird and squirm in their own womb. The Demolition Doll Rods are today’s Motor City
band of legend and myth, connecting imaginary dots that string Funkadelic, The Stooges,
Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels, Aretha Franklin, Elder Roma Wilson, Richard and
the Young Lions, The Ramrods, John Lee Hooker and MC5 together to form a
constellation that is a massive vagina of stars illuminating a naked world.
As I sit at my comfy chair and attempt to endure legions of white suburban youths
barking at me to testify, I can only cringe at the thought of a once powerful battle cry
reduced to meaningless sloganeering. In a couple of years these perpetrators will be
fighting the less filling/taste great war instead. Meanwhile, the Doll Rods get better with
each successive record (has any other band done that?? ever??). I am in awe of these
three people who completely believe in what they say and do. Yes Virginia, there is a
difference. Long live the Demolition Doll Rods!
Swami John
Demolition Doll Rods
There Is A Difference
Swami Records
2006
For more information, please contact:
Howard @ Howlin' Wuelf Media
215-428-9119/ HowlingWuelf@aol.com
http://howlinwuelf.com/