You know that burger stand on the outskirts of town? The one that probably hasn't been painted in a few decades and looks like it could blow over in a strong wind, but the burgers are great and satisfy like no others within 50 miles? That burger joint should have some
Danny & the Darleans sides on the jukebox -- heck, that joint is
Danny & the Darleans. There's nothing at all fancy about the Detroit band's second album, 2016's
Bug Out; it's raw and short on frills, but it's got heart, soul, humor, and real-deal rock action to spare. Led by
Danny Kroha, formerly of
the Gories and
the Demolition Doll Rods,
Danny & the Darleans cut most of
Bug Out live in the studio (vocals and all), with
Kroha, bassist Colleen Burke, and drummer Richie Wohlfeil wailing hard as one while the tape rolled, and the results have the energy and impact of a great set played in a tiny club. As his previous work confirms,
Kroha isn't a chops-intensive guitarist, but his low-tech riffing and outside-the-box soloing on
Bug Out are full of good-and-greasy brilliance, and his vocals have a nerdy swagger that's pure genius. Burke and Wohlfeil are on the same page in terms of technique; this rhythm section isn't fussy, but they know how to bash it out and understand when to lean on the gas pedal. And a band that can write originals that party as hard as the covers of "Little Black Egg," "Leavin' Here," and "Wild About My Lovin'" is one that knows what they're doing when it comes to the big beat. A short but potent shot of down-and-dirty rock & roll,
Bug Out will make you move and shout, and when it's over you may even ask for seconds. Don't forget the napkins! ~ Mark Deming