The only true “Funky Daddy” in The D, Tino Gross and his unrelentlessly, blues rockin’, sweatin’, fall down funkifying Howling Diablos are Detroit musical legends– yeah, that’s right I said it. Anyone with a rock ‘n’ roll brain outside of their big behind knows it around these parts. Don’t like it- then get outta the “D” musical monster mash up, for good- ya loser.
Sixties-soulled, rock ‘n’ rolled & approx. that age- but baited for that big beat bear at all times- tirelessly music-makin’, managin’, producin’, masterin’, layin’ it all down back home again … and pickin’ it up once more, Tino has shepherded the all-star(s) HDs for a couple decades, in and around the D.
Listen, don’t wanna do whole life of musical crawling up, learning, earning, discerning days- no space and HD web site does that. Suffice to say he’s played with all in the D of naturally-nuanced note.
He and HDs have Detroit Music Awards, and Tino on Funky D records helps guide artists to the limber, loping, rail-rocking train on way to playing on that reelin’, rock ‘n’ roll station- on and on and on- everything you’d expect from such a veteran, well-versed, respected fella.
Cribbed from his web site- yes, everybody seems to know Tino, and he knows everybody- and I will humbly add- everybody loves the guy because he’s all real in the D, and everywhere to all- no rock ‘n’ roll ego AT ALL.
And aspiring music makers- that is exactly WHY Tino just plain makes such great music- drop dead honest- he gets in the trenches, and never is above the fray- it’s just his natural way.
(Side pair ‘o ‘graphs)- thus not surprised, besides HDs like searing sax man Johnny Evans, big booming bassist Mo Hollis and grinding, note gashing guitarist Erik Gustafson– Tino also enlisted in the HD mission plan, the man (legend in all our minds), “Devil in a Blue Dress” with Mitch Ryder and Rockets propulsion-pumping drummer- the in-time, trapper of time, Johnny (Bee) Badanjek.
So at mid 1980s Graham Parker St. A. Hall gig, I met two rockers- J. Bee in leather and bandana (as today), a salt of the earth, gentleman to babbling, 20-something fan. And one security slappy-shaded, over-salted ass, B.S. in blue suede coat- yes, that “Rock ‘n’ Roll Never (but he did- where he came from) Forgets” rock superstar. Full then o’ BS in my book. B.S. used side bar entrance for quick drinks- but not to be bugged with brief, “I love your music”- from a guy with first albums, “Night Moves”, and “Live Bullet”.
OK, back to T.– he don’t need name drops- just sayin’ T. did road time with “The Hook” (ol’ John Lee)- and one “be-Geiling” J.(aunty), D-adored singing superstar, bluesologist is a very tight, old funky friend and musical mate. And no one in Mich. needs reminder about up-and-coming Robert Ritchie (Kid R.) gettin’ tight with the HDs (see video)– so the boys could get their rocks off. That “let’s hip hop this funky rock into rapture” robust revelation- back in ’90s at Berkley’s Bear’s Den.
Latest album “Ultra Sonic Gas Can,” “the most Detroit record we’ve ever done” … in Tino’s wise, world sure words … is da D(etroit) bomb y’all- better believe it, buy it, try it and fly it- let it explode in your ears and send flares up your bust-a-move booty. I can wax on and on about the wild trax on wax they laid down- but screw it, you NEED to own it- and DON’T loan it.
You just try to keep up with the breakneck pacin’
Tino and the Howling Diablos–
TimMusic- “I don’t fear the words and sounds … just try holding them close to my heart” 