The Detroit Cobras put new shine on music gems from the past

Mary Ramirez grew up an Army kid, so she was always on the move. But there was one constant in her life: her mother's music.

Ramirez says her mother devoured R&B and soul - not the Motown variety, but the stuff that was released on the Stax and Columbia record labels.

"I actually had to sneak regular rock 'n' roll into the house, because she didn't like it," said Ramirez with a laugh. "She didn't like the Beatles or any of it."

Mom's influence remains strong to this day: Ramirez is the guitarist and one-half of the driving force behind the Detroit Cobras, a band that has developed a national following for its interpretations of folk and soul songs from the past.

The group's last full-length record, for example - 2007's "Tied and True," on Chicago label Bloodshot Records - features new takes on songs from Irma Thomas, Little Willie John, the Flirtations and Leadbelly, among others.

"That music's in my blood," Ramirez said. "I love other kinds of music. I love rock. But that old stuff really gets to me."

The Cobras hit the Chicago area for two shows this weekend: Saturday at Durty Nellie's in Palatine, and Sunday at the Bash on Wabash in Chicago.

Ramirez's musical partner in the Detroit Cobras is fiery singer Rachel Nagy, who like Ramirez grew up listening to classic blues and soul. Nagy's powerful, cigarette-stained voice can lift a song into the stratosphere, while Ramirez keeps things moving with gritty guitar work that encompasses punk, country and old-fashioned garage rock.

And that's what separates the Cobras from typical cover bands. Ramirez and Nagy don't just perform songs, they slap them around a bit, bringing them to life from the inside out.

"I like to think that when we do a song, a lot of people believe it's something we actually wrote," Ramirez said. "Because it's all about feel when we're choosing songs to record. It comes down to how a particular song hits you at a certain moment, and what you think you can do as a band."

The Cobras have garnered a reputation for incendiary shows, highlighted by the striking interplay between Ramirez and Nagy. (The band's other spots have been filled by a changing cast of musicians.) Live audiences have been warmly receptive, Ramirez said.

"I think people just really want to hear good songs," she said. "I mean, the songs we do come way before the audience's time or our time, but the bottom line is they're great songs."

The Detroit Cobras are working on a new record, which Ramirez hopes will be ready for release in 2011.

"We're not always the best about getting down to work in the studio," she said. "But the plan is to start recording in October. So far we're looking at songs that have a dancier feel, songs that will really get you moving, you know?"

In the meantime, the band is looking forward to cranking it up for Chicago area fans.

"I think anyone who comes will have a good time," Ramirez said. "That's what we try to do - make everyone think they've just been at the most rocking party ever."

<p class="factboxheadblack">The Detroit Cobras</p>

<p class="News">The band has two Chicago-area shows this weekend.</p>

<p class="News">• Saturday, Sept. 4: 9 p.m. at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $10. Call (847) 358-9150 or visit durtynellies.com.</p>

<p class="News">• Sunday, Sept. 5: 8:30 p.m. at the Bash on Wabash, 1300 S. Wabash, Chicago. $5 donation. </p>