After stints recording background vocals with Bob Seger (notably, on “Katmandu”) and playing live with Teegarden & Van Winkle in the early 1970s, Rockee Re Marx (aka Rockee Berlin) started Flirt in 1976 at the urging of her then husband, Skid – who was also a member of The Seatbelts.

Flirt developed out of several different experiences the couple had in the Detroit music scene in the mid-1970s including the bands Medusa and The Kurbstone Beauteaze. The later act was known for sexually suggestive and theatrical shows in the vein of The Tubes. A former bandmate in The Kurbstone Beauteaze, De De Troit, went on to form the punk band U.X.A. in California in the late 1970s.

Given the economics of the time as a musician in Detroit, Berlin says she was concerned when Marx wanted to make Flirt an original band because a good cover band at that time was lucrative. She says she was also a member of the musicians union that made sure the bars paid each band a minimum. She says as the scene started to change from cover bands to original bands, many without union representation, got screwed over by bar owners.

Berlin wrote most of the lyrics and, at times, give them a very female centered point of view. For example, “De-Generator” takes aim at the “boys will be boys” attitudes when it comes to how young men treat women.

Flirt often played at the Second Chance opening for Ann Arbor bands such as Destroy All Monsters, Sonic’s Rendezvous Band, and The Cult Heroes as well as at Bookie’s, The Red Carpet, the West Side Six (aka Silver Bird Saloon) other area venues. Marx has always worked to open other venues to local bands before Bookie’s got going in earnest, such as the Red Grape.

Flirt attracted the ears of east coast listeners and played numerous times at Max’s Kansas City in New York City. Because the band often played in New York, they caught the ear of DEVO and opened for the group at the Masonic Temple when they came through Detroit in 1979. Flirt also received interest from record producer Jimmy Ienner – producer/manager for notable 1970s bands including The Raspberries, Grand Funk Railroad, and Three Dog Night. But, a deal failed to materialize. The band was also played by the BCC’s John Peel on his show in 1980.

Flirt self-released a 7-inch single in 1978 and a 10-inch EP in 1980.

Flirt ended in 1982 but did try a restart under the name Western Block a few years later. But, by the mid-1980s, the partnership between the couple was over musically and personally.

The band did a reunion show in 2004 at Kalamazoo’s Club Soda. Skid continues to play bass in various bands around Detroit including The Seatbelts.

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4 thoughts on “Flirt

  1. Very nice ..Great job..I wish success in your writing career . Thank you acknowledging this band ..Many great musicians..many great bands were born from Medusa.
    The Seger people found me and issued most needed and appreciated royalties..from Katmandu..(wow..that song was huge!!!! I had no idea. .) It’s nice to be remembered .take care..God Bless. Flirt was and will be among my favorite adventures.

  2. If this song [Stille Nacht] were on an album I would call it “A Very Punk Christmas”. I was introduced to Flirt’s music by my friend Dean Slater [Of Zooster fame]. Come to think of it I can’t remember anybody making a Punk Christmas Album. All I can say is — They (((ROCK)))

  3. Nice memories. As a student and club member myself and John Harrison helped organize and took video of the performance at Dearborn High in 1979 for the Pretentious Club / Russ Gibb. I am unsure what happened to the video, it was either left with the school, club or Russ Gibb. I do remember Russ yelling at us about the audio on the video.

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