I'm back, didja miss me?

I had an excellent time in the Motor City. I started off my weekend at The Magic Bag with some old friends...the Yardbirds. Here's what they looked like shortly before their breakup back in the early '70s. Whoa, pass the bong, dude!

I worshipped the 'Birds in my youth for their socially conscious lyrics, blues-pop song structures, and blazing lead guitar solos, courtesy of Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page, none of whom are touring with the current incarnation, led by drummer Jim McCarty and Chris Dreja (bassist Paul Samwell-Smith retired back in the 80s). I also sang Yardbirds covers in an LA punk band.

The new members include harp player Alan Glen, bassist/lead vocalist John Idan who's a dead ringer for Jeff Beck and sings like Keith Relf. The best addition to the lineup is the phenomenal former lead guitarist of Dr. Feelgood, Gypie Mayo who looks like a waterbed salesman, but plays his axe like the mutant hellspawn of Jimmy Page.

I wasn't expecting much, but man, these guys blew my skullcap off! They may be geezers, but they played like they meant it. No nostalgia here, "Shapes of Things", "Over Under Sideways Down", and "I'm Not Talkin'" all sounded as fresh as they did 35 years ago. They even have a new album out called Birdland that features guest appearances by Jeff Beck, Slash, and Brian May, among many others.

But I'm still not gonna go see the Doors reunion.