Twistin’ Tarantulas, ‘the MC5 of rockabilly,’ to mark 20 eventful years

Dec. 19--"I attribute the longevity of the band to necessity. It's all I know how to do," says Twistin' Tarantulas bassist-vocalist Pistol Pete Midtgard, who will celebrate the rockabilly-punk band's 20th anniversary at a party Friday at the Magic Bag in Ferndale.

"I created something from nothing," says Midtgard. "I came up with the name. I wrote a bunch of songs, and the next thing you know, I was earning a living off it. Once you've tasted that, it's certainly hard to go back and work for someone else."

Midtgard describes the Tarantulas as "loud, intense and high-energy."

"We set out to be the MC5 of rockabilly and that's what we are. That's what makes us a distinctive Detroit band. Too much attitude for commercial success, but that's what everyone loves about us."

Though Midtgard's upright bass and slicked-back hair recall traditional rockabilly, the band avoids other cliches of the genre. It plays with intensity and a hard-edged style that draws on Midtgard's roots in Detroit's punk and metal scene.

Several members have filtered through the band, which has put hundreds of thousand of miles into touring. Three albums, a battle with cancer and countless road stories have made for an interesting 20 years for Midtgard.

"I have lots of good memories," he says. "We got to go to Europe a couple of times, went to Alaska, played the House of Blues in L.A., House of Blues in Chicago, and we played on a Caribbean cruise ship. I would have otherwise never gone on a Caribbean cruise, that's for sure."

As with any touring band, it's not all sunshine and roses out there on the road. Midtgard recalls one particularly brutal experience on a trip back home.

"We had a rental van, and I was hell-bent on getting it returned before I had to pay for another day. We got two hours north of Kansas City, and it had been freezing rain and sleet and there was like 4 inches of slush on the road. And then the temp dropped 30 degrees and it froze, and all you could do was hold on to the steering wheel and pray. Several times, there were hills I didn't think we'd make it up. Out of boredom, we counted cars in the ditch that day, and over a six-hour span, we counted 188 cars -- and that doesn't count the ones we couldn't see on the other side of the road. It was a nightmare."

Though the touring life brought its share of ups and downs, it was Midtgard's 2003 battle with bladder cancer that put things into perspective for him.

"The idea that life is short really started to make more sense," he says. "When I had cancer, I didn't have insurance. The only way I had to make money was to play. I didn't cancel one gig. I played every weekend. The only thing I couldn't do was tour because I was doing chemo treatments. I had to keep playing because I didn't have any choice. Everyone kept saying how brave I was. It wasn't bravery; it was necessity."

His illness eventually led to some changes, he says.

"I got back out on the road and something happened to me in that state of mind. The illness and having your mortality rubbed in your face -- that just kind of changed my whole disposition. It wasn't so much touring, but touring on the level we were touring on."

The band has scaled back the travel, but stays active by playing most weekends throughout the Midwest. Work on a new album is also underway.

Midtgard says the band, which includes guitarist Carl Bradychok and drummer Tim Mycek, bragged about getting a new record out by the end of this year, but financial obstacles stalled the project.

"I have seven really strong songs, two of which I think are the best songs I've ever written in my life," he says. The band is hoping for a 2014 release date.

Joining the Twistin' Tarantulas at Friday's anniversary bash will be the Orbitsuns and the Seatbelts. Doors at 8 p.m. The Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward, Ferndale. 248-544-3030. $10.

For more: www.twistintarantulas.com.

Holiday pops: It's been several years since we've heard from the Bomb Pops, but the pop-punk band is returning for one show Saturday at Smalls.

The group has gone through several incarnations since forming in 1992 and hasn't performed live since 1998. The reunited version will feature original members Bobby Lezotte (vocals), David Vaughn (bass), Shawn Hervey (drums) and Tim Hervey (guitar).

"We are having a great time playing together," says Tim Hervey. "I'm looking forward to playing these songs live for the first time in a very long time."

Opening the show will be Cinecyde and Screw. Doors at 8 p.m. Small's, 10339 Conant, Hamtramck. 313-873-1117. $6.

Music for a cause: Performing at the 11th Annual Home for the Holidaze Songwriter Showcase & Charity Drive are a batch of talented local singer-songwriters including Patrick Davy, Don (Doop) Duprie, Alison Lewis, Emily Rose, Matt Dmits and Jackie Stahl.

Donations generated from Friday's event will benefit Outcry Youth & Street Ministry, which helps homeless and youth in Detroit, and Hater Kitty Rescue Army, which takes care of strays and places them in forever homes.

Doors at 9 p.m. for ages 21 and up. Corktown Tavern, 1716 Michigan, Detroit. 313-964-5103. $6 or $5 with a can of people or pet food or a winter clothing item.

For more: www.staticrecords.com/shows

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