For a long time, that was that. The surviving Torpedos played around town separately, keeping themselves busy with a variety of musical projects. Then, in '99, they decided to get back together for a show. That turned into an annual thing, and now they do it bi-annually. On vocals is Johnny's son, Mitchel Angelos, who both Gillespie and Serafino agree does a good job with such big family shoes to fill. 

So, with the band sounding good and playing relatively regularly, are the Torpedos finally putting out an album? "I'd have to say no, unfortunately," Serafino says. "Me personally, I would like to see that happen as this is a readymade band. I'm the kind of person who would like to do something like that. I'm not sure that will ever happen, but I'll try to. I'd like to see what this band sounds like in a studio with Mitchel. That would be remarkable."

Gillespie is even vaguer. "I don't know. Maybe I would. Actually, I would like to put out a DVD. I have this live show from Harpo's in '81 and it was right near the end. It's very good. We look great. Nowadays, with ProTools and everything, I'm sure we could make it look fantastic and sound great. I would be into a single or something. Actually, I've got some songs that he and I wrote that were never done. So who knows? Maybe in the future."

The Torpedos play Oct. 14, with the Seatbelts and Ray Gunn at the Motor City Music Factory, 6450 E. McNichols Rd., Detroit. See the club's Facebook page for more info. 

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