MC5
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The MC5 was a rock music band that came out of Detroit, USA in 1966, and was an important precursor of and influence on punk rock (see protopunk).
Their first album was Kick Out The Jams, recorded live on October 30 and 31, 1968. The album caused some controversy due to the title track's rallying cry of "kick out the jams, motherfuckers," and John Sinclair's inflammatory liner notes. The album concluded with "Starship," a cover of a Sun Ra song.
When Hudson's, a Detroit based department store, refused to stock the LP the MC5 responded with a full page advertisement in the Fifth Estate saying "Fuck Hudson's!" Hudsons pulled all records on Elektra, the MC5's label, and Jac Holzman, the head of Elektra, dropped the band.
Their second album Back In The USA virtually provided a prototype for punk rock with its short, fast, hard-edged angry guitar rock. Their third album High Time would also prove influential on 1970s hard rock bands like Aerosmith and Kiss. The band broke up amidst drug-related problems in 1972. John Sinclair, the band's manager, was politically active with the White Panthers and Fifth estate.
Singer Robin Tyner died in 1991, as did guitarist Fred "Sonic" Smith in 1994. Guitarist Wayne Kramer is still active, and has released several solo albums.
2003 saw the three surviving members of the MC5 - Kramer, bassist Michael Davis, and drummer Dennis Thompson - performing as the MC5 at the 100 Club in London with Fred 'Sonic' Smith's place being taken by Nicke Andersson, vocal chores being filled by Dave Vanian of The Damned, Lemmy Kilmister of Motörhead, Ian Astbury of The Cult, and singer Kate O'Brien, as well as seeing Charles Moore and Buzzy Jones reprise their roles in the brass section from the "High Time" album.
In 2004, the band set out on an extensive world tour using the name DKT-MC5. As with the 100 Club concert, a host of special guests joined them on tour such as Mark Arm of Mudhoney, Nicke Royale of the Hellacopters and others.
Discography
Albums
- Kick Out The Jams, 1969
- Back In The USA, 1970
- High Time, 1971
Singles
- One Of The Guys, 1967
- Looking At You, 1968
- Kick Out The Jams, 1969
- Shaking Street, 1970
- Over And Over, 1971
MC5 Films
- MC5–A True Testimonial – 2003