1. An alterna… Read Full Bio ↴There are two artists that have used the name Electric Six
1. An alternative rock band from the United States
2. A musical group from South Africa
1. Electric Six is a six-piece Detroit-based rock band consisting of Dick Valentine (vocals), Tait Nucleus? (synthesizers), Johhny Na$hinal (guitar), Da Ve (guitar), Percussion World (drums), and Smorgasboard (bass) who play a mix of rock, funk and disco.
The band's first notorious formation comprised Valentine, Rock and Roll Indian (guitar), Surge Joebot (guitar), Disco (bass, former member of Detroit Cobras), and M (drums). Dick Valentine (real name Tyler Spencer) has always been the primary songwriter (both music and lyrics) of Electric Six, currently and under their former incarnation, when they were known as the Wildbunch. During the band's temporary split at the end of the 1990s, Spencer formed his own band called The Dirty Shame and released one CD entitled Smog Cutter Love Story which featured, among other tracks, a first version of Fire track "Vengeance and Fashion". The band reformed by 2001 to record and release the first release of 'Danger! High Voltage' and record the track 'Dealin' With Death N' Stealin' In The Name Of The Lord' with Troy Gregory for his Sybil album.
Electric Six fuses rock and punk with the laid-back funky rhythms and falsetto vocals of disco, and a distinctly comic touch. However, they tend to reject such genre classifications as disco-metal and disco punk. They formed the band in 1996 and were initially known as The Wildbunch, eventually dropping that name due to pressure from the Bristol trip-hop collection of the same name. Throughout the latter half of the '90s, they played about once a month at the Magic Bag in Ferndale, Magic Stick, and the now-defunct Gold Dollar in Detroit, the center of a scene that produced breakout acts like the White Stripes.
Electric Six's 2002 breakout single "Danger! High Voltage" was an infectious dance-rock number, and Jack White from The White Stripes helped sing back up vocals to this track. White has denied this, though Spencer has confirmed it in several interviews. The single reached number 2 on the UK singles chart, and they enjoy icon status in that nation.
Their second single, "Gay Bar", released in 2003, became a hit as well in the UK, reaching #5 in the charts and further aided the group's growth. Curiously, in the American Radio Edit of this track, The words "Nuclear War" are censored with whip-crack sound effects. After fulfilling their recording duties (namely their debut album) three members left in June, leaving Dick Valentine, Tait Nucleus? (synthesizer), and M.
The Colonel (Zach Shipps, guitar, ex-member of Brendan Benson and Mood Elevator), John R Dequindre (guitar and whose stage name is a combination of two Detroit streets) and Frank Lloyd Bonaventure (bass) subsequently joined the group, though they had all been credited on the album and most had been associated with the group for some time. At that time, they were touring in the UK, and they managed to seamlessly replace the members without interrupting the gigs. In time, Johnny Na$hinal joined the group on guitar, Dequindre switched to bass, and Bonaventure switched to law school.
The band's sophomore album, Señor Smoke, was released in the UK on February 14, 2005. Percussion World replaced M on drums around the same time.
The first single from the album put the band at the center of controversy, especially with Queen fans following a cover of the Queen hit song "Radio Ga Ga". The controversial music video shows lead singer Dick Valentine as the ghost of Queen's flamboyant lead singer Freddie Mercury and a backing band of poodles. Queen drummer Roger Taylor, who wrote the song, said that he was "unimpressed" with the video; however, Queen guitarist Brian May reportedly liked it. Electric Six claims they were contractually obligated to commit the song to the album. Issues with Warner Brothers caused a switch to Metropolis Records, who released Señor Smoke in the US.
Switzerland was released in September 2006. A plethora of videos have also been released, and a fan contribution contest led to the video for the single "I Buy the Drugs."
I Shall Exterminate Everything Around Me That Restricts Me From Being the Master was released in October 2007. Their next album, titled Flashy, was released in October 2008. In October 2009, their sixth album, KILL, was released. The 7th album, Zodiac was released on September 28, 2010, with one tour-exclusive single ("Jam it in the Hole") and the 8th, Heartbeats and Brainwaves, on October 11th 2011.
A double live album is set for release in 2012.
2. Electric Six was a Soweto-based South African combo active in the 1960s and 1970s
American Cheese
Electric Six Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wish I didn't know what I know
And that's why you were hired, hired.
Don't do your job and you'll be fired, fired.
You can't get tired after hours, hours.
They building high in silver towers, towers
They congregate here afters hours, hours
They tellin' lies,
That's how rumors get started and destinies die
Tick-tock sex-o-clock where did the time go
You can't go blind blowing your load
And that's why God's a liar, liar
You're underage you need a buyer, buyer
We'll take you higher after hours, hours
They're getting nice on whiskey sours, sours
They're telling secrets after hours, hours
Destroying time,
That's how organs shut down and brain cells die.
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Here comes Spanish Mack
And the moon crashed up
He's gonna need a transfusion of blood
And all the ladies are like yes, yes
Another system under stress, stress
Forget about it lose that dress, dress
Aw give me a hug
This is how the young girls dress in my club
After hours, hours
Eternal life and Satan's powers, powers
You live forever after hours hours
Now you know why, the sun ain't the real reason Vampire's die
The lyrics to Electric Six's song "American Cheese" seem to be an ironic commentary on the excesses of American life - from drug use to drinking and partying to telling lies and spreading rumors. The opening lines introduce "cokey Joe," a drug dealer who is "looking to make it snow," referencing cocaine. The singer suggests that they wish they didn't know what they know, possibly referring to the darker side of the party lifestyle that surrounds them.
The second stanza provides insight into the high stakes of the nightlife in question. The singer implies that they must keep going "after hours" despite the fact that they "can't get tired." They also mention "silver towers," a possible reference to the urban wealth and excess of the city's elite. The chorus suggests that after hours is a time for secret-sharing and whiskey-sipping, but that these indulgences come at a cost.
Line by Line Meaning
Here comes cokey Joe looking to make it snow
Cokey Joe arrives looking to snort cocaine
I wish I didn't know what I know
The singer regrets having knowledge of Cokey Joe's drug use
And that's why you were hired, hired.
Cokey Joe was hired for his ability to provide cocaine
Don't do your job and you'll be fired, fired.
Failure to supply cocaine will result in being fired
You can't get tired after hours, hours.
Extended work hours are expected and fatigue is not an excuse
They building high in silver towers, towers
Buildings are being constructed in the area
They congregate here afters hours, hours
People gather at this location after regular work hours have ended
They tellin' lies,
People are spreading rumors
That's how rumors get started and destinies die
Spreading rumors can have negative consequences
Tick-tock sex-o-clock where did the time go
Time seems to pass quickly during sexual activity
You can't go blind blowing your load
Ejaculation cannot cause blindness
And that's why God's a liar, liar
The concept of going blind from ejaculation is a myth perpetuated by religious beliefs
You're underage you need a buyer, buyer
Underage individuals require someone to buy alcohol for them
We'll take you higher after hours, hours
After work hours, people can experience heightened experiences
They're getting nice on whiskey sours, sours
Some people are enjoying whiskey-based drinks
They're telling secrets after hours, hours
People are likely to divulge information during after-work socializing
Destroying time,
Wasting time has negative consequences
That's how organs shut down and brain cells die.
Wasting time can lead to physical and mental deterioration
Here comes Spanish Mack
Spanish Mack has arrived
And the moon crashed up
The moon has risen
He's gonna need a transfusion of blood
Spanish Mack may require a blood transfusion
And all the ladies are like yes, yes
The women are attracted to Spanish Mack
Another system under stress, stress
The people are experiencing a high level of strain
Forget about it lose that dress, dress
The artist suggests removing clothing
Aw give me a hug
The singer desires physical affection
This is how the young girls dress in my club
The attire of the women in the club is revealing
After hours, hours
The activities described are taking place after regular work hours have ended
Eternal life and Satan's powers, powers
The artist references the supernatural
You live forever after hours hours
The activities of the night are believed to give a sense of immortality
Now you know why, the sun ain't the real reason Vampire's die
The song suggests an alternative explanation for vampire legend
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Guts124
This band should be much bigger than what they are today. Great catchy songs and they don't they themselves too seriously which for any band is a good thing.
Andy Wolf
3:54 , the transition from electro to wailing guitar to the more primitive acoustic jam session is seamless and beautiful.
ScaryPoppins
Love it!
ScaryPoppins
How is there not more likes? This song is freaking amazing!
ScaryPoppins
This is my favorite song of theirs. ❤❤
Squatch ManApe
ScaryPoppins same here
Soulshifter666
That run-time reminded me to pack a bowl.
Docta Spock
underrated comment
:))
TonnsOfFun118
So glad I stumbled upon this, and not from stumble upon either.
SlowChildren1000
My theme song??? Prolly.