Howling Diablos

The dirty groove of "Car Wash" leads off the record with Tino’s low growl lamenting washing Lincoln Continentals for a living. The next song is an R.L. Burnside cover, "Gone So Long", which takes a body into a whole ‘nuther place. It’s gritty and funky with North Mississippi red clay all over it. The Howling Diablos don’t need to just cover the blues great though  "Broke Down" would fit right in to any Mississippi juke joint with Mike Smith’s slide guitar supplying soul power shake appeal. Mississippi isn’t the only part of the South that the Howling Diablos translate Michigan style. "Prison Train" gives off a good time New Orleans feel despite the songs darker lyrics. A few more highlights: "Mean Little Town" exudes an Exile On Main Street vibe, "Stop Running Your Mouth" has Tino laying it down right, and the legendary drummer from Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels, Johnny "Bee" Badanjek, makes a guest appearance on three tracks. Johnny Evans’s work on saxophone and harmonica are also stellar throughout Car Wash. So if you’re looking for some good, funky blues to listen to while dancing with your lady or maybe just drinking Pabst Blue Ribbon, heading to the Car Wash would be the right thing to do. The Howling Diablos play the blues with sweat and feeling. It makes me think of what they would say if anybody ever asked them this line from "I’m Waiting For My Man", "hey white boy, what you doing uptown?" The Howling Diablos would probably answer, "playing the blues, listen to us, and watch your worries disappear." – Wally Bangs / Blogcritics.org - Wally Bangs / Blogcritics.org

The dirty groove of "Car Wash" leads off the record with Tino’s low growl lamenting washing Lincoln Continentals for a living. The next song is an R.L. Burnside cover, "Gone So Long", which takes a body into a whole ‘nuther place. It’s gritty and funky with North Mississippi red clay all over it. The Howling Diablos don’t need to just cover the blues great though  "Broke Down" would fit right in to any Mississippi juke joint with Mike Smith’s slide guitar supplying soul power shake appeal. Mississippi isn’t the only part of the South that the Howling Diablos translate Michigan style. "Prison Train" gives off a good time New Orleans feel despite the songs darker lyrics. A few more highlights: "Mean Little Town" exudes an Exile On Main Street vibe, "Stop Running Your Mouth" has Tino laying it down right, and the legendary drummer from Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels, Johnny "Bee" Badanjek, makes a guest appearance on three tracks. Johnny Evans’s work on saxophone and harmonica are also stellar throughout Car Wash. So if you’re looking for some good, funky blues to listen to while dancing with your lady or maybe just drinking Pabst Blue Ribbon, heading to the Car Wash would be the right thing to do. The Howling Diablos play the blues with sweat and feeling. It makes me think of what they would say if anybody ever asked them this line from "I’m Waiting For My Man", "hey white boy, what you doing uptown?" The Howling Diablos would probably answer, "playing the blues, listen to us, and watch your worries disappear." – Wally Bangs / Blogcritics.org - Wally Bangs / Blogcritics.org

Divine Trash Highway-The math is simple: funk + rock +blues = Howling Diablos. That is a winning formula. Johnny Evans - sax/harp, Johnny Bee – drums, MO Hollis – bass, Erik Gustafson – guitar, Tino Gross – vocals. The well loved, well known, well respected Detroit band formed in the 90’s, touring with the likes of Detroit’s Alice Cooper, the amazing George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic, Ben Harper, Incubus, Hank Williams Jr. as well as headlining their own sold out shows. The Diablos are all over the city, and that's a good thing: they’re engrossing and organic in a way other city drive-by projects rarely are. They'd also sound cool in one of those scenes from a Tarantino movie where a guy with a head wound still wanders down a California highway shooting people with insane accuracy painting the town (literally) red. They have that je ne sais quoi, that tangible quality that makes them mysterious yet wonderful. Their albums include Beatnik Mambo, Green Bottle, Good Rockin Tonight, a tribute to Sun Records also includes an appearance by Detroit boy Kid Rock. That record birthed a PBS film for their series “American Masters”, and has a performance by the band. These guys are masters.- Nicole Breanne - Detroit Underground Music Examiner - Detroit Underground Music Examiner

Divine Trash Highway-The math is simple: funk + rock +blues = Howling Diablos. That is a winning formula. Johnny Evans - sax/harp, Johnny Bee – drums, MO Hollis – bass, Erik Gustafson – guitar, Tino Gross – vocals. The well loved, well known, well respected Detroit band formed in the 90’s, touring with the likes of Detroit’s Alice Cooper, the amazing George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic, Ben Harper, Incubus, Hank Williams Jr. as well as headlining their own sold out shows. The Diablos are all over the city, and that's a good thing: they’re engrossing and organic in a way other city drive-by projects rarely are. They'd also sound cool in one of those scenes from a Tarantino movie where a guy with a head wound still wanders down a California highway shooting people with insane accuracy painting the town (literally) red. They have that je ne sais quoi, that tangible quality that makes them mysterious yet wonderful. Their albums include Beatnik Mambo, Green Bottle, Good Rockin Tonight, a tribute to Sun Records also includes an appearance by Detroit boy Kid Rock. That record birthed a PBS film for their series “American Masters”, and has a performance by the band. These guys are masters.- Nicole Breanne - Detroit Underground Music Examiner - Detroit Underground Music Examiner

 This quintet from Detroit led by singer Tino Gross recorded his best album in the winter of 2004-2005. Originally trained resolutely funk, Howling Diablos have chosen to put their identity and their influence in the service of rock compositions. The result is amazing, and draws on such sources, as indicated by the resumption of RL Burnside ( "Gone So Long", whose version of Howling Diablos is very successful). The rhythm section is flawless, precise guitars and contribution of the saxophone is absolutely brilliant. On the last song on the album, "Elvis Lives" as "Stop Runnin Your Mouth," we find the notes of the saxophone Stooges Fun House. The title song is unstoppable.The piece is a perfect example of the style that the group chose for this album: the guitar riff is catchy, typing impressive battery ... Singing (here provided several voices) prepares the arrival of saxophones, which are gradually becoming more important. The set is applied and confident: a change of tempo announces the arrival of solos before the return of the riff to start. The disc has all the elements to be a big pout disk: sticky riffs, moods salacious groove and plenty of pieces ( "Prison Train"), boogie that task ( "Dope Man") plus orchestration that illuminates the compositions in a new light - in particular parts of harmonica and sax extraordinary. Outlaw imagery is used excessively, especially during the bridge's memorable "Mean Little Town" (a song that owes much to the Rolling Stones). The five members of Howling Diablos assume full image dirty and dangerous usually attributed to the city of Detroit, and the themes of certain songs are chosen accordingly:"Dope Man" and "Prison Train" deal with the drug - most members had recognized the problems of heroin and cocaine. For this record, the group Tino Gross has found a perfect alchemy between original songs and perfect sound. The result is an impressive record, not to be missed. List of songs: Car Wash * Gone So Long * (RL Burnside) Broke Down Prison Train * * Dope Man Mean Little Town * Easy Street Stop Runnin 'Your Mouth * A Woman (Like Me) Elvis Lives * Planet Gong Webzine/Magazine  France. - Planet Gong Webzine/Magazine-FRANCE

 This quintet from Detroit led by singer Tino Gross recorded his best album in the winter of 2004-2005. Originally trained resolutely funk, Howling Diablos have chosen to put their identity and their influence in the service of rock compositions. The result is amazing, and draws on such sources, as indicated by the resumption of RL Burnside ( "Gone So Long", whose version of Howling Diablos is very successful). The rhythm section is flawless, precise guitars and contribution of the saxophone is absolutely brilliant. On the last song on the album, "Elvis Lives" as "Stop Runnin Your Mouth," we find the notes of the saxophone Stooges Fun House. The title song is unstoppable.The piece is a perfect example of the style that the group chose for this album: the guitar riff is catchy, typing impressive battery ... Singing (here provided several voices) prepares the arrival of saxophones, which are gradually becoming more important. The set is applied and confident: a change of tempo announces the arrival of solos before the return of the riff to start. The disc has all the elements to be a big pout disk: sticky riffs, moods salacious groove and plenty of pieces ( "Prison Train"), boogie that task ( "Dope Man") plus orchestration that illuminates the compositions in a new light - in particular parts of harmonica and sax extraordinary. Outlaw imagery is used excessively, especially during the bridge's memorable "Mean Little Town" (a song that owes much to the Rolling Stones). The five members of Howling Diablos assume full image dirty and dangerous usually attributed to the city of Detroit, and the themes of certain songs are chosen accordingly:"Dope Man" and "Prison Train" deal with the drug - most members had recognized the problems of heroin and cocaine. For this record, the group Tino Gross has found a perfect alchemy between original songs and perfect sound. The result is an impressive record, not to be missed. List of songs: Car Wash * Gone So Long * (RL Burnside) Broke Down Prison Train * * Dope Man Mean Little Town * Easy Street Stop Runnin 'Your Mouth * A Woman (Like Me) Elvis Lives * Planet Gong Webzine/Magazine  France. - Planet Gong Webzine/Magazine-FRANCE

The Howling Diablos have all the fantasy for rock fans. First, the group from Detroit, the Mecca of rock and roll of the 2000s (White Stripes, Von Bondies, Detroit Cobras, Dirtbombs, etc etc ...). Secondly, the group practices a blues rock at its rough in line with the Black Keys. Thirdly, the group signed with Alive Records, without doubt the record company that will retain the decade (Buffalo Killers, Brimstone Howl, Black Diamond Heavies, Hacienda, Radio Moscow, Thomas Function, Left Lane Cruiser ... ). The group has existed since the early 90's, and another between opened for George Clinton, Albert Collins, Ben Harper and Alice Cooper, which earned them a good reputation due to incandescent live performances. The title track opens the album sets the tone: repetitive riff, a few notes of sax, bass line elastic front and mid song the song takes off. That's the mark and the talent of the group.They take time to build their pieces without worrying about any format, even if most songs are between three and four minutes. The voice of Tino Gross is reminiscent of a certain Captain Beefheart strengthening the side roots of blues performed by the Howling Diablos. The musicians, Johnny Bee (drums), MO Hollis (bass), Erik Gustafson (guitar) and Johnny Evans (sax), are no exception. If they have a flawless technique, they show never too overt. Their technique is to use compositions, and never turn to the demonstration. It must be said that the Howling Diablos have the blues in the skin and have understood the essence ( "Dope Man"). On this very good album, the songs of bravery are many. Although it is difficult to highlight one piece over another, we note nevertheless also "Car Wash" and "Dope Man", an "Easy Street" carried by the drumming while fine Johnny Bee. The kind of pieces that permanently encrusted in our minds. The contribution of sax on the tracks also providing a refreshing breath on certain songs like "Prison Train" or special "Elvis Lives".The latter piece, fabulous musicians are letting go, playing guitar saturated extreme Gustafson meet so masterful sax of Johnny Evans. This CD lasting 35 minutes, provides a lot of fun in a genre that seems to come through in recent years. If you love the Black Keys or you have cracked for The Muggs, this album is for you.
PS: the group recently released (late April) a new album Divine Trash Highway. There's plenty more as soon as we will be provided!-Mr. Rock - Raw Power-France  - Raw Power Magazine-France

The Howling Diablos have all the fantasy for rock fans. First, the group from Detroit, the Mecca of rock and roll of the 2000s (White Stripes, Von Bondies, Detroit Cobras, Dirtbombs, etc etc ...). Secondly, the group practices a blues rock at its rough in line with the Black Keys. Thirdly, the group signed with Alive Records, without doubt the record company that will retain the decade (Buffalo Killers, Brimstone Howl, Black Diamond Heavies, Hacienda, Radio Moscow, Thomas Function, Left Lane Cruiser ... ). The group has existed since the early 90's, and another between opened for George Clinton, Albert Collins, Ben Harper and Alice Cooper, which earned them a good reputation due to incandescent live performances. The title track opens the album sets the tone: repetitive riff, a few notes of sax, bass line elastic front and mid song the song takes off. That's the mark and the talent of the group.They take time to build their pieces without worrying about any format, even if most songs are between three and four minutes. The voice of Tino Gross is reminiscent of a certain Captain Beefheart strengthening the side roots of blues performed by the Howling Diablos. The musicians, Johnny Bee (drums), MO Hollis (bass), Erik Gustafson (guitar) and Johnny Evans (sax), are no exception. If they have a flawless technique, they show never too overt. Their technique is to use compositions, and never turn to the demonstration. It must be said that the Howling Diablos have the blues in the skin and have understood the essence ( "Dope Man"). On this very good album, the songs of bravery are many. Although it is difficult to highlight one piece over another, we note nevertheless also "Car Wash" and "Dope Man", an "Easy Street" carried by the drumming while fine Johnny Bee. The kind of pieces that permanently encrusted in our minds. The contribution of sax on the tracks also providing a refreshing breath on certain songs like "Prison Train" or special "Elvis Lives".The latter piece, fabulous musicians are letting go, playing guitar saturated extreme Gustafson meet so masterful sax of Johnny Evans. This CD lasting 35 minutes, provides a lot of fun in a genre that seems to come through in recent years. If you love the Black Keys or you have cracked for The Muggs, this album is for you.
PS: the group recently released (late April) a new album Divine Trash Highway. There's plenty more as soon as we will be provided!-Mr. Rock - Raw Power-France  - Raw Power Magazine-France

Howling Diablos - Highway Divine Trash FRANCE

We have already had occasion to talk to you about this great group of Detroit head of a splendid album, Car Wash, released in 2005 with Alive Records (here). The Divine Trash Highway released this year is not strictly speaking a new album but a compilation of tracks recorded between 1995 and 2003 and the various studios and producers. One would fear a patchwork that would have affected the consistency of this disc, and yet it is not.Better we find the group in a new, far more catchy concerns, more punk blues, Car Wash. The group is more groovy, more funky or downright jazzy. You take a word a phenomenal up listening to most of the 14 securities in this disc. The group joins the time of two compositions ( "If You Love Someone", "Junkyard Jesus") to Calvin Cooke, brilliant musician wielding steel as a person and that literally boosts the introductory "If You Love Someone". Note also a splendid recovery "Momma Told Me Not To Come" by Randy Newman, where the banter Tino Gross and the inspired gospel choirs give new life to this classic (surpassing aisemment version of Three Dog Night and more recently that of Tom Jones with Stereophonics ...). The approach also different styles while maintaining some form of musical identity reminiscent of the Dirtbombs. Besides the "Moonshine" or even "CIA" the parallell is quite striking: one would swear that Mick Collins jamming with the band!The groove shown by the Howling Diablos on "Check It Out" takes us back in full in Harlem full seventies! The music as usual is impeccable, the contribution of the sax of Jonny Evans as bringing on Car Wash a great character by multiplying the side resolutely funky compositions, developing a beat that remémorre the glorious days of Sly & The Family Stone ( "Josephine"). The group did not forget his part as rock'n roll nuggets like "Dodge Main" are there to testify. Even on the ground often rolling the bluesy ballad, the Howling Diablos carefully avoid pitfalls and manage to convince ( "Rainin 'In Mississippi"). Despite this chorus of praise, not everything is perfect and reminds us that the group is still human and therefore subject to Fourvoirie by now: the unbearable intro on keyboards of the "Hobo Jungle" somewhat missed or what "Mom" hesitant between blues and r'n'b and turning quickly round.Curiously, "Mexican Laundromat," which could be on Blowback Tricky, while using the same musical direction as "Mom" succeeds him his shot, finishing demonstrate the group to more than one string to his bow. Nothing, however, will affect our enthusiasm and are quick to forgive these few choice group found (with all our subjectivity) questionable. Especially since the end of the album takes on a high base "Leaving In The Morning" off kind of blues bayou, a "Junkyard Jesus" and the hypnotic "Divine Trash Highway hallucinating when an epileptic rhythmic group suggests a boogie / ska, nothing here! In the end, and until a new album in 2010, the Howling Diablos confirm they are a separate group, apart from all modes. They represent an outstanding alternative to the mediocrity that we want to water the record industry. This must be why we love them all! Frank Published by RawPowerMagazine 
- Raw Power Magazine (France)

Howling Diablos - Highway Divine Trash FRANCE

We have already had occasion to talk to you about this great group of Detroit head of a splendid album, Car Wash, released in 2005 with Alive Records (here). The Divine Trash Highway released this year is not strictly speaking a new album but a compilation of tracks recorded between 1995 and 2003 and the various studios and producers. One would fear a patchwork that would have affected the consistency of this disc, and yet it is not.Better we find the group in a new, far more catchy concerns, more punk blues, Car Wash. The group is more groovy, more funky or downright jazzy. You take a word a phenomenal up listening to most of the 14 securities in this disc. The group joins the time of two compositions ( "If You Love Someone", "Junkyard Jesus") to Calvin Cooke, brilliant musician wielding steel as a person and that literally boosts the introductory "If You Love Someone". Note also a splendid recovery "Momma Told Me Not To Come" by Randy Newman, where the banter Tino Gross and the inspired gospel choirs give new life to this classic (surpassing aisemment version of Three Dog Night and more recently that of Tom Jones with Stereophonics ...). The approach also different styles while maintaining some form of musical identity reminiscent of the Dirtbombs. Besides the "Moonshine" or even "CIA" the parallell is quite striking: one would swear that Mick Collins jamming with the band!The groove shown by the Howling Diablos on "Check It Out" takes us back in full in Harlem full seventies! The music as usual is impeccable, the contribution of the sax of Jonny Evans as bringing on Car Wash a great character by multiplying the side resolutely funky compositions, developing a beat that remémorre the glorious days of Sly & The Family Stone ( "Josephine"). The group did not forget his part as rock'n roll nuggets like "Dodge Main" are there to testify. Even on the ground often rolling the bluesy ballad, the Howling Diablos carefully avoid pitfalls and manage to convince ( "Rainin 'In Mississippi"). Despite this chorus of praise, not everything is perfect and reminds us that the group is still human and therefore subject to Fourvoirie by now: the unbearable intro on keyboards of the "Hobo Jungle" somewhat missed or what "Mom" hesitant between blues and r'n'b and turning quickly round.Curiously, "Mexican Laundromat," which could be on Blowback Tricky, while using the same musical direction as "Mom" succeeds him his shot, finishing demonstrate the group to more than one string to his bow. Nothing, however, will affect our enthusiasm and are quick to forgive these few choice group found (with all our subjectivity) questionable. Especially since the end of the album takes on a high base "Leaving In The Morning" off kind of blues bayou, a "Junkyard Jesus" and the hypnotic "Divine Trash Highway hallucinating when an epileptic rhythmic group suggests a boogie / ska, nothing here! In the end, and until a new album in 2010, the Howling Diablos confirm they are a separate group, apart from all modes. They represent an outstanding alternative to the mediocrity that we want to water the record industry. This must be why we love them all! Frank Published by RawPowerMagazine 
- Raw Power Magazine (France)

This bluesy rock and roll band succeeds where jillions of tohers have failed for many reasons over the years. Some outfits are too imitative, a lot are over produced many are just plain too squirrely for me to warm up to. Detroit’s Howling Diablos have a zero squirrel factor and have found a warm funky groove that’s natural and rocking at the same time. The title track, "Car Wash." Kicks off the disc. One of my favorite contemporary authors George Pelecanos judged (in a website commentary if I recall) the film Car Wash to be the black American Graffiti; I agree. I wondered if these Detroit boys were gonna cover the theme? They didn’t, but their "Car Wash" had me struttin’ around my living room to their righteous take on the world of hot wax and minimum wage pay. As the CD cooked along I decided that these guys are like a perfect blend of Stones-y rock and Curtis Mayfield. Some of the tunes, like "Dope Man," "Broke Down" and "Prison Train," seem to be steeped in the wisdom Mr. Mayfield laid down back in the day. Meanwhile, guitarist Mike Smith tastefully churns out licks that range from Dixie-fried mellow to over-the-top face slap a la Keith Richards in the early ’70s. The whole band contributes though. The vocals by Tino Gross are tasteful and always enjoyable he doesn’t come off like a clone or a clown. He is what he is and that’s enough and quite a bit. I’m usually very critical of modern day sax players, but Johnny Evans blends in with a to-the-point Memphis style honk. Of course my favorite track is the final one, "Elvis Lives," which is the best tribute I’ve heard in years to the King. It’s the final track and is the icing on ye olde frigging cake. This band, from what I can tell, is successful (they’ve shared the stage with people ranging from Hank Jr. to George Clinton and numerous blues legends) and it should be easy to go check them out live for you Midwesterners. If they come down to Austin, Texas I’ll be there. – Thee Whiskey Rebel / Carbon 14 - Carbon 14

This bluesy rock and roll band succeeds where jillions of tohers have failed for many reasons over the years. Some outfits are too imitative, a lot are over produced many are just plain too squirrely for me to warm up to. Detroit’s Howling Diablos have a zero squirrel factor and have found a warm funky groove that’s natural and rocking at the same time. The title track, "Car Wash." Kicks off the disc. One of my favorite contemporary authors George Pelecanos judged (in a website commentary if I recall) the film Car Wash to be the black American Graffiti; I agree. I wondered if these Detroit boys were gonna cover the theme? They didn’t, but their "Car Wash" had me struttin’ around my living room to their righteous take on the world of hot wax and minimum wage pay. As the CD cooked along I decided that these guys are like a perfect blend of Stones-y rock and Curtis Mayfield. Some of the tunes, like "Dope Man," "Broke Down" and "Prison Train," seem to be steeped in the wisdom Mr. Mayfield laid down back in the day. Meanwhile, guitarist Mike Smith tastefully churns out licks that range from Dixie-fried mellow to over-the-top face slap a la Keith Richards in the early ’70s. The whole band contributes though. The vocals by Tino Gross are tasteful and always enjoyable he doesn’t come off like a clone or a clown. He is what he is and that’s enough and quite a bit. I’m usually very critical of modern day sax players, but Johnny Evans blends in with a to-the-point Memphis style honk. Of course my favorite track is the final one, "Elvis Lives," which is the best tribute I’ve heard in years to the King. It’s the final track and is the icing on ye olde frigging cake. This band, from what I can tell, is successful (they’ve shared the stage with people ranging from Hank Jr. to George Clinton and numerous blues legends) and it should be easy to go check them out live for you Midwesterners. If they come down to Austin, Texas I’ll be there. – Thee Whiskey Rebel / Carbon 14 - Carbon 14

Detroit has long been considered a magical, mystikal, music and arts Mecca , where geniuses seem to spring out of the empty, weed choked, abandoned city lots. Half of this is true, and half is myth… because in the tough industrial environment of the Motor City, it really takes guts, sweat, and big talent to ‘Make it’. The Howling Diablos have a street and sound credibility that was forged in Detroit over 2 decades, playing in countless sweaty bars, clubs, and theatres…ask anyone.
check out a few new tunes from their new CD – “Ultra Sonic Gas Can” below….

Like the Rolling Stones, Stooges, MC5, and so many other great live ‘in-the- moment’ rock n roll bands…always acknowledged for a great show, but could they really make a great record?
‘Ultra Sonic Gas Can’ is that record. The Diablos have stepped up their game and smacked a Reggie Jackson-style homerun off the upper deck light towers. This is the Diablos ‘Exile On Main Street’. Produced by Tino Gross, ‘Gas Can’ is the record that will propel this band out of the ‘D’ and onto the world stage…in a very rockin way.
Mixing Detroit elements like Soul, Funk, Blues, Rap, and Rock N Roll the Diablos have finally concocted their ‘Masterpiece’ record album!
The Diablos are Tino Gross/vocals, Johnny Evans/Sax and Harp, Mo Hollis/ bass, Erik Gustafson/guitar, and Detroit legend Johnny ‘Bee’ Badanjek/drums. Plus Detroit guests like Robert Bateman, Jimmie Bones, HUSH, Uncle Kracker, Jim McCarty, Kymberli Wright, and more are on board . Funky D Records is PROUD to present ‘Ultra Sonic Gas Can’ in 2011. Holla! - whitedoggdetroit

Detroit has long been considered a magical, mystikal, music and arts Mecca , where geniuses seem to spring out of the empty, weed choked, abandoned city lots. Half of this is true, and half is myth… because in the tough industrial environment of the Motor City, it really takes guts, sweat, and big talent to ‘Make it’. The Howling Diablos have a street and sound credibility that was forged in Detroit over 2 decades, playing in countless sweaty bars, clubs, and theatres…ask anyone.
check out a few new tunes from their new CD – “Ultra Sonic Gas Can” below….

Like the Rolling Stones, Stooges, MC5, and so many other great live ‘in-the- moment’ rock n roll bands…always acknowledged for a great show, but could they really make a great record?
‘Ultra Sonic Gas Can’ is that record. The Diablos have stepped up their game and smacked a Reggie Jackson-style homerun off the upper deck light towers. This is the Diablos ‘Exile On Main Street’. Produced by Tino Gross, ‘Gas Can’ is the record that will propel this band out of the ‘D’ and onto the world stage…in a very rockin way.
Mixing Detroit elements like Soul, Funk, Blues, Rap, and Rock N Roll the Diablos have finally concocted their ‘Masterpiece’ record album!
The Diablos are Tino Gross/vocals, Johnny Evans/Sax and Harp, Mo Hollis/ bass, Erik Gustafson/guitar, and Detroit legend Johnny ‘Bee’ Badanjek/drums. Plus Detroit guests like Robert Bateman, Jimmie Bones, HUSH, Uncle Kracker, Jim McCarty, Kymberli Wright, and more are on board . Funky D Records is PROUD to present ‘Ultra Sonic Gas Can’ in 2011. Holla! - whitedoggdetroit

Top 10 Selling Albums at Dearborn Music
August 2, 2011
By Brian Smith

The top 10 selling albums last week at Dearborn Music.

1. REM - Life’s Rich Pageant
2. Howling Diablos – Ultra Sonic Gas Can
3. Three Doors Down – Time of My Life
4. Amy Winehouse – Frank
5. Alkaline Trio – Damnesia
6. America – Back Pages
7. Bad Meets Evil – Hell Sequel
8. Il Volo – Il Volo
9. Jamal Ahmed – Poinciana Revisite
10. Kindred the Family Soul – Love Has No Recession

Support your local record store. - Detroit Metro Times

Top 10 Selling Albums at Dearborn Music
August 2, 2011
By Brian Smith

The top 10 selling albums last week at Dearborn Music.

1. REM - Life’s Rich Pageant
2. Howling Diablos – Ultra Sonic Gas Can
3. Three Doors Down – Time of My Life
4. Amy Winehouse – Frank
5. Alkaline Trio – Damnesia
6. America – Back Pages
7. Bad Meets Evil – Hell Sequel
8. Il Volo – Il Volo
9. Jamal Ahmed – Poinciana Revisite
10. Kindred the Family Soul – Love Has No Recession

Support your local record store. - Detroit Metro Times

At the mixing board sits an afternoon glass of red wine and a mind armed with half a century's worth of Detroit music know-how. It's all instinctive for Martin (Tino) Gross. In his Pleasant Ridge recording studio, a comfy building with a vintage '60s charm, Gross is directing a young trio, StaggoLee, through its debut record of hot blues-rock.

"These kids have really got it," Gross later gushes.

He would know. As front man of the Howling Diablos, Gross isn't just a familiar face around town. He's one of the area's unheralded musical treasures, a walking Detroit storybook and rock-blues-funk encyclopedia.

The Diablos' two-decade tenure on the local scene is set to culminate with what he calls "the most Detroit record we've ever done" -- the new "Ultra Sonic Gas Can," to be celebrated with a release show Saturday at the Park Bar. He'll be joined by the Diablos' reigning lineup, a chops-heavy list of players that includes sax man Johnny Evans, drummer Johnny (Bee) Badanjek, bassist Mo Hollis and guitarist Erik Gustafson.

With performances by StaggoLee and Horse Cave Trio, the night will also serve as a debutante party for Funky D Records, the label he runs with longtime girlfriend and disc jockey Linda Lexy.

The likable Gross is one of those guys: Everybody seems to know him, and he knows everybody. He's toured with John Lee Hooker. He's a confidant of Peter Wolf. He helped introduce Kid Rock to the idea of blending rap with live music, and when you catch Gross onstage, it's easy to see why people call him Rock's model -- from the fedora on down.

Gross has recorded with Insane Clown Posse, cut remixes for the late bluesman R.L. Burnside and will share a writing credit with Bob Dylan on the upcoming debut album by deaf musician Sean Forbes, which repurposes a set of Dylan lyrics.

"I'm happier than I've ever been," says Gross, 58. "I'm always a positive cat, looking ahead to see what's around the next corner."
- Detroit Free Press

At the mixing board sits an afternoon glass of red wine and a mind armed with half a century's worth of Detroit music know-how. It's all instinctive for Martin (Tino) Gross. In his Pleasant Ridge recording studio, a comfy building with a vintage '60s charm, Gross is directing a young trio, StaggoLee, through its debut record of hot blues-rock.

"These kids have really got it," Gross later gushes.

He would know. As front man of the Howling Diablos, Gross isn't just a familiar face around town. He's one of the area's unheralded musical treasures, a walking Detroit storybook and rock-blues-funk encyclopedia.

The Diablos' two-decade tenure on the local scene is set to culminate with what he calls "the most Detroit record we've ever done" -- the new "Ultra Sonic Gas Can," to be celebrated with a release show Saturday at the Park Bar. He'll be joined by the Diablos' reigning lineup, a chops-heavy list of players that includes sax man Johnny Evans, drummer Johnny (Bee) Badanjek, bassist Mo Hollis and guitarist Erik Gustafson.

With performances by StaggoLee and Horse Cave Trio, the night will also serve as a debutante party for Funky D Records, the label he runs with longtime girlfriend and disc jockey Linda Lexy.

The likable Gross is one of those guys: Everybody seems to know him, and he knows everybody. He's toured with John Lee Hooker. He's a confidant of Peter Wolf. He helped introduce Kid Rock to the idea of blending rap with live music, and when you catch Gross onstage, it's easy to see why people call him Rock's model -- from the fedora on down.

Gross has recorded with Insane Clown Posse, cut remixes for the late bluesman R.L. Burnside and will share a writing credit with Bob Dylan on the upcoming debut album by deaf musician Sean Forbes, which repurposes a set of Dylan lyrics.

"I'm happier than I've ever been," says Gross, 58. "I'm always a positive cat, looking ahead to see what's around the next corner."
- Detroit Free Press

DIVINE TRASH HIGHWAY Dr2 View:If we had to describe the recipe for the new Howling Diablos', 14-track collection, Divine Trash Highway, we would tell you to take a healthy dose of Delta Blues, add a good amount of MC5, and top it with a dash of Cream (the band), and you come close to the mixture that is The Howling Diablos.  Their particular brand of funky, in-your-face, jam band, blues-rock is as recognizable as it is unique.  The blues have always been about the universal themes of life's hardships, pain, adversity, and struggle.  No exceptions here, all the misery you could want is in these songs, but the HD's have a very "Detroit" way of expressing it.  This city has always been a blue-collar paradise where the workingman's, day-to-day, grind has been about the work hard, play hard, way-of-life.  This lifestyle has been widely acknowledged as the root of so much of our musical history.  Giving birth to both Motown, and inspiring/influencing many rock stars. But underneath all this there has always been a thriving blues underground. The Diablos combine all of these diverse elements in their music, creating something uniquely their own.  They mix traditional blues tracks like If You Love Someone, andRainin' in Missippi with jazzy tunes likeCheck It Out and Mexican Laundromat to create a disc that is the ultimate expression of the ultra-cool, and we have to say, incredibly fun to listen to. Leading off the disc, the previously mentioned, If You Love Someone, puts a fresh turn on the classic blues theme with the hooky lyric "If you love someone, You got to treat them right, If you don't,... somebody else might". Featuring Calvin Cooke's smoking, sacred pedal steel guitar licks, and Johnny Evans wailing sax, it is indicative of what The Howling Diablos' bring to the blues. Cooke and Evans also combine their efforts on, A Dr2 favorite, Junkyard Jesus, weaving their way through front man, Tino gross' gritty, spoken word/rap styled lyric. Detroit references abound in Howling Diablos' music. Anyone who knows Detroit does not need an explanation for the inspiration for the Detroit anthem Dodge Main, the iconic assembly plant at the heart of our auto industry.  The songs hook says it all.  "Working at Dodge Main, trying to make a living and not go insane....workin', livin', workin, livin'". Divine Trash Highway is, simply put, Detroit Blues. In the intro to Dodge Main, a sample from the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin, lifted from The Blues Brothers movie, laments, "...All you know how to do is play the blues..."  That's all the Diablos' do and they do it well. Catch the Howling Diablos this weekend at the Ye Olde Saloon in Royal Oak for their Halloween Show on Saturday or catch them at the all inclusive Cherry Hill Theater in Canton on November 25th where you'll be able to snatch your own copy of Divine Trash Highway. Of course you can download it from the internet via theRhapsody Site or even Amazon,  or you can always order it directly from their website by clicking on the Dr2 Links or just head on over to the Dr2 MySpace page where you'll find them listed in our "Top Friends". DetroitRockReview.com - The Only Place For Local Music News & Reviews! - DetroitRockReview.com

DIVINE TRASH HIGHWAY Dr2 View:If we had to describe the recipe for the new Howling Diablos', 14-track collection, Divine Trash Highway, we would tell you to take a healthy dose of Delta Blues, add a good amount of MC5, and top it with a dash of Cream (the band), and you come close to the mixture that is The Howling Diablos.  Their particular brand of funky, in-your-face, jam band, blues-rock is as recognizable as it is unique.  The blues have always been about the universal themes of life's hardships, pain, adversity, and struggle.  No exceptions here, all the misery you could want is in these songs, but the HD's have a very "Detroit" way of expressing it.  This city has always been a blue-collar paradise where the workingman's, day-to-day, grind has been about the work hard, play hard, way-of-life.  This lifestyle has been widely acknowledged as the root of so much of our musical history.  Giving birth to both Motown, and inspiring/influencing many rock stars. But underneath all this there has always been a thriving blues underground. The Diablos combine all of these diverse elements in their music, creating something uniquely their own.  They mix traditional blues tracks like If You Love Someone, andRainin' in Missippi with jazzy tunes likeCheck It Out and Mexican Laundromat to create a disc that is the ultimate expression of the ultra-cool, and we have to say, incredibly fun to listen to. Leading off the disc, the previously mentioned, If You Love Someone, puts a fresh turn on the classic blues theme with the hooky lyric "If you love someone, You got to treat them right, If you don't,... somebody else might". Featuring Calvin Cooke's smoking, sacred pedal steel guitar licks, and Johnny Evans wailing sax, it is indicative of what The Howling Diablos' bring to the blues. Cooke and Evans also combine their efforts on, A Dr2 favorite, Junkyard Jesus, weaving their way through front man, Tino gross' gritty, spoken word/rap styled lyric. Detroit references abound in Howling Diablos' music. Anyone who knows Detroit does not need an explanation for the inspiration for the Detroit anthem Dodge Main, the iconic assembly plant at the heart of our auto industry.  The songs hook says it all.  "Working at Dodge Main, trying to make a living and not go insane....workin', livin', workin, livin'". Divine Trash Highway is, simply put, Detroit Blues. In the intro to Dodge Main, a sample from the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin, lifted from The Blues Brothers movie, laments, "...All you know how to do is play the blues..."  That's all the Diablos' do and they do it well. Catch the Howling Diablos this weekend at the Ye Olde Saloon in Royal Oak for their Halloween Show on Saturday or catch them at the all inclusive Cherry Hill Theater in Canton on November 25th where you'll be able to snatch your own copy of Divine Trash Highway. Of course you can download it from the internet via theRhapsody Site or even Amazon,  or you can always order it directly from their website by clicking on the Dr2 Links or just head on over to the Dr2 MySpace page where you'll find them listed in our "Top Friends". DetroitRockReview.com - The Only Place For Local Music News & Reviews! - DetroitRockReview.com

“The Blog Is” (theblogis.wordpress.com) reviews the Howling Diablos’ “Ultra Sonic Gas Can”

MARCH 13, 2012 2 COMMENTS
Ultra Sonic Gas Can is a brilliant piece of work. Why? Tino Gross and the men and women at Funky D Studios hold the Detroit sound in the palm of their hands. The Detroit sound is formidable, but how amorphous is it, how multifaceted? The Motor City certainly has its jazz, blues, Gospel, soul, rock , doo-wop, rap, punk, techno and country heritage. It’s not much of a folk music town, you have to go to Boston for that.
In Detroit there is a cultural aura where one can imagine a Baptist preacher looking down from the pulpit at the music’s blue collar pageantry, giving it his tacit approval. This man of the cloth is permissive when it comes to compassion in the the great social struggles. But is about old time religion when the word of the Lord is about socioeconomic justice. The struggle between good and evil. The struggle of the common man.
At root there is a Southern connection in the Motor City that follows the route taken in the Great American Migration of the 20th century, from South to North, from injustice to justice, from poor to less poor. The music also follows this path. From the Delta to the factory. Now what if somebody in the here and now came alone and made the Detroit sound even more eclectic by adding to all of the above-named genres, plus some decisive elements of California surf, California slide, house music, hip hop, and even a trace circus music, the big top, the big time, and the big town, stepped on by an apocalyptic industrial free fall. Isn’t surf music a kind of a circus sound with the sun beaming down on the the waves to light up all the performers?
Amid that Motown morality tale, what if the music still stood taller than ever after the fall, as a sort of conscience statement for all that has taken place, like a preacher might do. What do you call this phenomenon? Try urban Gothic. Southern Gothic going North, from rural to more urbane. In Ultra Sonic Gas Can there is dark humor, secular existentialism, and a motive for social justice along with a pretty progressive brand of religiosity. Now consider Gas Can as an example of urban Gothic music, like Southern Gothic, but urban and more Northerly. The city is different, it is radioactive and funky.
The music of the Howling Diablos is on the same trajectory as the New Orleans sound, but the frigid cold of the Detroit winter, the big panoramic rust belt flavor, disintegrating housing, burned out storefronts, and abandoned skyscrapers all serve to give the Detroit sound a blizzard-like Northern polarity, except in the summer. Detroit feels like the South in the throes of July and August, with all the gritty humidity and almost unbearable, stifling heat. Most of the year a gray overcast rules Detroit’s weather. The people of Detroit climb inside of the music to turn these meteorological disparities into a great, smooth ride, with AC, super suspension, a super smooth transmission, even on a half rusted out old hoopty cruising the inner city streets, east and west, south of Eight Mile Road.
Ultra Sonic Gas Can captures all of this with 13 tracks that define the modern Detroit sound. It may be about struggle, but it’s also about a great rewards. If it was light and airy, the sound would be from somewhere else. Tino Gross, the Howling Diablos band leader, guitarist, lead singer, producer and either author or co-writer of each song on the album as gone all the way here. Funky D Studios seems to have coalesced as the successor to Motown and is the new gold standard for the Detroit sound. The “people talent” on board is like an artist colony.
The Songs
Before there was Motown Records, there was Fortune Records, its precursor. That was in the days of old school R&B, doo-wop, Detroit blues, rock-a-billy and more. At the center of it all was Devora Brown. The second track on Ultra Sonic Gas Can is devoted to her. It starts with some novel guitar distortion punctuated by some tight wha wha, and driving harmonica. Then the lyric, I was so alone, didn’t know which way to go, spent the whole day by the pay phone, I never heard nobody except myself. Self reflective in a way that the Detroit street was about to have a voice. That is followed by the chorus, Devora, Devora Brown, she’s the one makes the deal go down, Devora Devora Brown, she pushing that Detroit sound…I never heard nobody, except my self. Then reference is drawn to never having to go back to the Detroit House of Corrections, or DeHoCo, as it was commonly called during the Fortune era. Is this not a statement about musical emancipation?
It was late one night, I was so uptight, I didn’t know wrong from right, everywhere I looked the sky was on fire, those needles on the record, and needles in my arm, somebody went and pulled the fire alarm, the bums in the street wanna know why… Fortune was located along Third Avenue i - “The Blog Is” (theblogis.wordpress.com)

“The Blog Is” (theblogis.wordpress.com) reviews the Howling Diablos’ “Ultra Sonic Gas Can”

MARCH 13, 2012 2 COMMENTS
Ultra Sonic Gas Can is a brilliant piece of work. Why? Tino Gross and the men and women at Funky D Studios hold the Detroit sound in the palm of their hands. The Detroit sound is formidable, but how amorphous is it, how multifaceted? The Motor City certainly has its jazz, blues, Gospel, soul, rock , doo-wop, rap, punk, techno and country heritage. It’s not much of a folk music town, you have to go to Boston for that.
In Detroit there is a cultural aura where one can imagine a Baptist preacher looking down from the pulpit at the music’s blue collar pageantry, giving it his tacit approval. This man of the cloth is permissive when it comes to compassion in the the great social struggles. But is about old time religion when the word of the Lord is about socioeconomic justice. The struggle between good and evil. The struggle of the common man.
At root there is a Southern connection in the Motor City that follows the route taken in the Great American Migration of the 20th century, from South to North, from injustice to justice, from poor to less poor. The music also follows this path. From the Delta to the factory. Now what if somebody in the here and now came alone and made the Detroit sound even more eclectic by adding to all of the above-named genres, plus some decisive elements of California surf, California slide, house music, hip hop, and even a trace circus music, the big top, the big time, and the big town, stepped on by an apocalyptic industrial free fall. Isn’t surf music a kind of a circus sound with the sun beaming down on the the waves to light up all the performers?
Amid that Motown morality tale, what if the music still stood taller than ever after the fall, as a sort of conscience statement for all that has taken place, like a preacher might do. What do you call this phenomenon? Try urban Gothic. Southern Gothic going North, from rural to more urbane. In Ultra Sonic Gas Can there is dark humor, secular existentialism, and a motive for social justice along with a pretty progressive brand of religiosity. Now consider Gas Can as an example of urban Gothic music, like Southern Gothic, but urban and more Northerly. The city is different, it is radioactive and funky.
The music of the Howling Diablos is on the same trajectory as the New Orleans sound, but the frigid cold of the Detroit winter, the big panoramic rust belt flavor, disintegrating housing, burned out storefronts, and abandoned skyscrapers all serve to give the Detroit sound a blizzard-like Northern polarity, except in the summer. Detroit feels like the South in the throes of July and August, with all the gritty humidity and almost unbearable, stifling heat. Most of the year a gray overcast rules Detroit’s weather. The people of Detroit climb inside of the music to turn these meteorological disparities into a great, smooth ride, with AC, super suspension, a super smooth transmission, even on a half rusted out old hoopty cruising the inner city streets, east and west, south of Eight Mile Road.
Ultra Sonic Gas Can captures all of this with 13 tracks that define the modern Detroit sound. It may be about struggle, but it’s also about a great rewards. If it was light and airy, the sound would be from somewhere else. Tino Gross, the Howling Diablos band leader, guitarist, lead singer, producer and either author or co-writer of each song on the album as gone all the way here. Funky D Studios seems to have coalesced as the successor to Motown and is the new gold standard for the Detroit sound. The “people talent” on board is like an artist colony.
The Songs
Before there was Motown Records, there was Fortune Records, its precursor. That was in the days of old school R&B, doo-wop, Detroit blues, rock-a-billy and more. At the center of it all was Devora Brown. The second track on Ultra Sonic Gas Can is devoted to her. It starts with some novel guitar distortion punctuated by some tight wha wha, and driving harmonica. Then the lyric, I was so alone, didn’t know which way to go, spent the whole day by the pay phone, I never heard nobody except myself. Self reflective in a way that the Detroit street was about to have a voice. That is followed by the chorus, Devora, Devora Brown, she’s the one makes the deal go down, Devora Devora Brown, she pushing that Detroit sound…I never heard nobody, except my self. Then reference is drawn to never having to go back to the Detroit House of Corrections, or DeHoCo, as it was commonly called during the Fortune era. Is this not a statement about musical emancipation?
It was late one night, I was so uptight, I didn’t know wrong from right, everywhere I looked the sky was on fire, those needles on the record, and needles in my arm, somebody went and pulled the fire alarm, the bums in the street wanna know why… Fortune was located along Third Avenue i - “The Blog Is” (theblogis.wordpress.com)

Wow! Another release from the good folks at Bomp/Alive Records has me staring at my speakers in disbelief. Not that I can see anything comin’ outta them, but I don’t know where else to look. As always, I’ll be honest with ya, up until now I had no clue as to who, or what, the "Howling Diablos" were. (…) What appears on "Car Wash" however is some of the most arresting Blues-Rock you’re even gonna hear. Now, anyone who follows Blues or Rock can tell you that there are at least a gazillion bands out there claiming to be blues-rock, or blues influenced rock, etc. However, every time I hear one of these bands, it’s always a let down, either it’s rockers who ain’t got a clue when it comes to the blues, or blues musicians that couldn’t rock even if they were simultaneously possessed by the ghosts of Elvis and Hendrix. Well, the Howling Diablos will not disappoint. The songs are full of emotion, they’re hard, dirty, simple, grungy, and sweaty! The band (Tino Gross – vocals, Johnny Evans – sax/harp, Mo Hollis – bass, Mike Smith – guitar, and Shannon Boone – drums) really seems to be giving every ounce of passion and ability they can muster. Finally the real deal, this should appease fans on both side of the spectrum. Great stuff! – Urotsukidoji Pad - Urotsukidoji Pad

Wow! Another release from the good folks at Bomp/Alive Records has me staring at my speakers in disbelief. Not that I can see anything comin’ outta them, but I don’t know where else to look. As always, I’ll be honest with ya, up until now I had no clue as to who, or what, the "Howling Diablos" were. (…) What appears on "Car Wash" however is some of the most arresting Blues-Rock you’re even gonna hear. Now, anyone who follows Blues or Rock can tell you that there are at least a gazillion bands out there claiming to be blues-rock, or blues influenced rock, etc. However, every time I hear one of these bands, it’s always a let down, either it’s rockers who ain’t got a clue when it comes to the blues, or blues musicians that couldn’t rock even if they were simultaneously possessed by the ghosts of Elvis and Hendrix. Well, the Howling Diablos will not disappoint. The songs are full of emotion, they’re hard, dirty, simple, grungy, and sweaty! The band (Tino Gross – vocals, Johnny Evans – sax/harp, Mo Hollis – bass, Mike Smith – guitar, and Shannon Boone – drums) really seems to be giving every ounce of passion and ability they can muster. Finally the real deal, this should appease fans on both side of the spectrum. Great stuff! – Urotsukidoji Pad - Urotsukidoji Pad

Wow! Another release from the good folks at Bomp/Alive Records has me staring at my speakers in disbelief. Not that I can see anything comin’ outta them, but I don’t know where else to look. As always, I’ll be honest with ya, up until now I had no clue as to who, or what, the "Howling Diablos" were. (…) What appears on "Car Wash" however is some of the most arresting Blues-Rock you’re even gonna hear. Now, anyone who follows Blues or Rock can tell you that there are at least a gazillion bands out there claiming to be blues-rock, or blues influenced rock, etc. However, every time I hear one of these bands, it’s always a let down, either it’s rockers who ain’t got a clue when it comes to the blues, or blues musicians that couldn’t rock even if they were simultaneously possessed by the ghosts of Elvis and Hendrix. Well, the Howling Diablos will not disappoint. The songs are full of emotion, they’re hard, dirty, simple, grungy, and sweaty! The band (Tino Gross – vocals, Johnny Evans – sax/harp, Mo Hollis – bass, Mike Smith – guitar, and Shannon Boone – drums) really seems to be giving every ounce of passion and ability they can muster. Finally the real deal, this should appease fans on both side of the spectrum. Great stuff! – Urotsukidoji Pad - Urotsukidoji Pad

Wow! Another release from the good folks at Bomp/Alive Records has me staring at my speakers in disbelief. Not that I can see anything comin’ outta them, but I don’t know where else to look. As always, I’ll be honest with ya, up until now I had no clue as to who, or what, the "Howling Diablos" were. (…) What appears on "Car Wash" however is some of the most arresting Blues-Rock you’re even gonna hear. Now, anyone who follows Blues or Rock can tell you that there are at least a gazillion bands out there claiming to be blues-rock, or blues influenced rock, etc. However, every time I hear one of these bands, it’s always a let down, either it’s rockers who ain’t got a clue when it comes to the blues, or blues musicians that couldn’t rock even if they were simultaneously possessed by the ghosts of Elvis and Hendrix. Well, the Howling Diablos will not disappoint. The songs are full of emotion, they’re hard, dirty, simple, grungy, and sweaty! The band (Tino Gross – vocals, Johnny Evans – sax/harp, Mo Hollis – bass, Mike Smith – guitar, and Shannon Boone – drums) really seems to be giving every ounce of passion and ability they can muster. Finally the real deal, this should appease fans on both side of the spectrum. Great stuff! – Urotsukidoji Pad - Urotsukidoji Pad