With the sudden success in the rock scene of "garage rock" - much of which is credited to our Detroit scenes home boys The White Stripes, and up 'n comers like the Von Bondies and the Electric Six and Gore Gore Girls, Paybacks and others....... it's not surprising everytime an export from Sweden or Europe arrives no one really pays attention. No one seemingly ..... BUT those very band members in the "DETROIT SCENE" themselves.

From the recent showing by the Hellacopters last year, to this fine Monday Show by TURBONEGRO - the crowd is not the usual suburb - let's make a trip to Detroit crowd...but the DETROIT BANDS who are MAKING the scene themsleves. I attended this show dead set on seeing a band whose music is becoming a part of my life ( As is their Euro co-horts The Hellacopters, Backyard Babies, Flaming Sideburns, Ribcage and others... ) and was blown away by the sheer number of musicians in attendance on a MONDAY NIGHT!

From the bedecked stage awash with grave displays and rubber rats, to the brilliant banner hanging behind, this was destined NOT to be your ordinary rock show. Not only was the bar raised on this tired Monday night, it was broken in half and tossed aside.

The opening chords by Euroboy gave way to the stunning entrance by our own homeboy Alice Cooper's - distant VIKING brother Hank, as blood flew from the stage.

The drumming by Chris proved more than ample and again, showed the crowd of fans and musicians how to set hell on fire, when the kids were tucked away safely in bed.

The booze was flowing, Euroboy was lifted on top of shoulders, while Pal pounded into every song with reckless abandon.

The fans were left stunned when the kettle of "blood" was raised high and tossed out to the frenzied masses, and soon there was no doubt what the show of the month was to be ..........TURBONEGRO.

Happy Tom plodded bass lines song into song, while I ran recklessly fearing nothing to snap as many photographs as I could. Forget the whiskey, women and wine that sat in the back of the venue waiting for me..........I was entranced by the madness and SHEER ROCK that was going on on the ancient Church Stage of St Andrews Hall. I was blown away. Period!

After the concert we gathered towards the back of the hall and purchased our swag, as happy Detroiter's swapped stories of what we had just witnessed. A night of rock majesty indeed. The shirtless swagger of Hank will stay in our minds for years to come.

Shame the suburb kids had to miss it..........maybe some day, this town will wake up and realize what REAL ROCK IS. Maybe. In the meantime. Gimme my passport.......I am going on a TURBO chase........