The Sirens

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At a late-night Elbow Room gig last year, I goggled at the Sirens in their gold lamé and black satin costumes. One guitarist was in a short-short bodysuit, another wore a miniskirt and tiara, and the lead singer towered above the stage in bell-bottoms and a cape. Everything was tight, low-cut, and accented by black, knee-high, seriously platform boots.

You have to admire their audacity, especially if you check out photos on their website (thesirensdetroit.com) showing previous costumes inspired by Native Americans, bicyclists, birthday cakes, and mud flaps (think of Yosemite Sam saying "Back off!" on a flap over the crotch).

Singer Muffy Kroha, a fashion retailer by day, is responsible for the Sirens' apparel by night. She's also responsible for strong, angry lead vocals and a stage persona that mixes Morticia Addams and Cher with Alice Cooper. Bugged-out eyes and long, bewitching fingers accent the belting out of Gary Glitter's "I Didn't Know I Loved You (Till I Saw You Rock 'n' Roll)" and Slade's "Gudbuy t'Jane." She even mimics the vocals of obvious influence David Bowie/Ziggy Stardust in "Chez Maximes."