Father of Shock Rock is back with a Detroit inspired EP

Hollywood vampire and famously-named father of shock rock Alice Cooper is back with a new six-song EP, Breadcrumbs. Cooper is joined by famous Detroit rock artists like guitarists Wayne Kramer (MC5), Mick Collins (The Dirtbombs) and Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad), singer Mitch Ryder and drummer Johnny “Bee” Badanjek (The Detroit Wheels). According to alicecooper.com, Cooper states that this EP serves as “a tribute to some of the Garage Rock Heroes from his hometown Detroit.” He also mentions that Breadcrumbs is a peek into his 2020 album release, which will incorporate classic Detroit garage rock, Motown and soul flavor from the late ’60s and early ’70s. Cooper, inspired by artists like the Rolling Stones and the Beatles, gives us a few breadcrumbs of what is to come.

Cooper and fellow Detroit musicians immediately establish the EP’s mood with the heart-stomping “Detroit 2020.” Singing, “Play it loud and fast, make that guitar blast” Cooper foreshadows his 22 minute “short and fast” EP.  This track l makes you want to make your way to Mo’ town and get freaky in “Detroit city”. With Kramer and Farner trading guitar licks over the last minute and a half, the opener is a great tribute to the new and old Detroit sound.

“Go man Go,” an Alice Cooper original, exemplifies the shock rock quality that his fans adore. The track features a darker, punk vibe and emotive electric that will excite listeners. Badanjek starts the third track, Bob Seger’s “East Side Story,” with high-quality drumming. The song reveals the sources of Cooper’s inspiration, original Detroit sounds and shock rock culture. Cooper follows with another cover, Detroit’s Suzi Quatro’s “Your Mama Won’t Like Me.” He boasts, “I wear my jeans too tight, I stay out all night, and when you turn me on you’ll see how I can bite.” The Hollywood vampire incorporates trumpets, throbbing background beats and a stellar guitar solo, courtesy of his Detroit roots. It is the wildest number of the set.

Ryder’s hit “Devil With a Blue Dress On” gets a remake as well. The tune starts with a soulful flare that quickly morphs into The Dirtbombs’s “Chains of Love.” Drawing from the Motown sounds of R&B, soul and funk, Cooper closes the EP with his take on the MC5’s “Sister Anne.” A son of a preacher himself, he brings all of his rock and roll, life experience to the song, ending Breadcrumbs on a high note and providing a glimpse of what is to come.

With help from some of Detroit’s rock royalty, Cooper creates a unique EP, highlighting the city’s rich musical tradition. Melding R&B, shock rock, Motown funk and soul, with a lot of rock and roll, Breadcrumbs is in some ways a tribute to the city. Each song is either about Detroit or written by Detroit musicians who are also featured on the EP. Reflecting on the past, but with an original Alice Cooper sound, the rock star sets the stage for 2020 and beyond.