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
Broken Machine
Electric Six Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wants to know a little bit about my history
It wants to know why I write these ridiculous songs
It wants to know everything that turns me on
And what turns me on is you
So now that's what turns it on too
Its methods are filling me with doubt
It doesn't do anything, it just sits there
It doesn't do anything, it just sits there
And looks at me
M-m-mechanical meltdown
It should be thrown away
It should be scrapped by sundown
But broken machine is here to stay
Yeah broken machine thinks it's fair to me
But it only sees what it wants to see
It looks into me to see what I'm made of
It's trying so hard to understand our love
And it sees that I love you
And so you're the one that it loves, too
It wants to understand the workings of our heart
It doesn't care if it tears us apart
It doesn't do anything, it just sits there
It doesn't do anything, it just sits there
And looks at me
M-m-mechanical meltdown
it should be thrown away
sa-sa-satanic shutdown
but broken machine is here to stay
You know what, machine? My mind's not big enough for the both of us. But they tell me you're here to stay. I guess that's what I get for surrounding myself with technology!
M-m-mechanical meltdown
you should be thrown away
you should be scrapped by sundown
but broken machine is here to stay
Broken machine is here to stay
Broken machine is here to stay
Broken machine is here to stay
Broken machine is here to stay
The lyrics of Electric Six's song Broken Machine seem to describe a conversation with an inanimate object, a broken machine, that is questioning the singer's thoughts and emotions. The machine seems to be asking questions about the reason behind creating music and what inspires the writer. The singer responds by saying that the source of inspiration is their lover, and that love is what turns them on. However, the machine is trying to understand that love and does not care about any possible damage it may cause to the relationship. The singer starts to become disturbed by this machine and its persistent questions, so much so that they want it to be thrown away, but it still remains with them.
The machine represents an intrusive presence that is somewhat unsettling to the singer. Its constant questioning and desire to understand the workings of the heart reveal a level of psychological depth. The singer seems to be afraid that the machinery is capable of causing a mechanical meltdown or even tearing apart the relationship. The 'mechanical meltdown' and 'satanic shutdown' may be references to the machine's insidious influence, indicating that the singer views the machine as possessing a sinister force beyond their control.
Line by Line Meaning
Your broken machine has some questions for me
The singer is referring to someone who sees the singer as a broken machine and wants to understand more about them.
Wants to know a little bit about my history
The other wants to know more about the singer's past, where they've come from and what has led them to where they are now.
It wants to know why I write these ridiculous songs
The other is questioning the singer about their creative process and labour, questioning a seeming lack of point or purpose in their art.
It wants to know everything that turns me on
The other wants to know the little things and moments that drive the artist and inspire them.
And what turns me on is you
The artist is saying that the thing they are inspired by is the person they love.
So now that's what turns it on too
The other is now driven by the person and love that drives the singer, sharing the inspiration.
Its methods are filling me with doubt
The other's strange ways of asking questions and seeking understanding are causing the singer to question the situation.
This experience is starting to creep me out
The artist is beginning to feel unsettled by the experience and what is happening.
It doesn't do anything, it just sits there
The other is, physically, not doing much but asking questions.
And looks at me
The other is studying or examining the artist in some way.
M-m-mechanical meltdown
The singer is making an onomatopoeic representation of the other's breakdown or breakdown in communication.
It should be thrown away
The artist feels that the other should leave them alone and not pursue this avenue of understanding.
It should be scrapped by sundown
The singer is emphasising that the other should leave soon and not overstay their welcome.
But broken machine is here to stay
Despite the singer's thoughts, the other seems to be sticking around anyway.
Yeah broken machine thinks it's fair to me
The other thinks that it is not making unreasonable or strange requests of the singer.
But it only sees what it wants to see
Despite its efforts to understand the artist, the other is only understanding what is easy or convenient for it.
It looks into me to see what I'm made of
The other is putting effort into trying to understand the artist and their foundation or building blocks.
It's trying so hard to understand our love
The other is trying to understand the complex, intimate nature of the singer's love for another person.
And it sees that I love you
The other has (correctly) identified the person that the singer loves.
And so you're the one that it loves, too
The other is following the artist's lead and also loving the person that they do.
It wants to understand the workings of our heart
The other is trying to understand how the artist's love works in a literal, biological sense.
It doesn't care if it tears us apart
The other is so focused on understanding that it may bring harm to the artist and their loved one along the way.
M-m-mechanical meltdown
The singer is again commenting on a breakdown in the situation or communication of some kind.
it should be thrown away
The artist reiterates that the other should be removed from the situation and leave them alone.
sa-sa-satanic shutdown
The other's persistence in the singer's life is being depicted as malevolent and dark.
but broken machine is here to stay
The other is refusing to leave and the singer is once again commenting on this.
You know what, machine? My mind's not big enough for the both of us. But they tell me you're here to stay. I guess that's what I get for surrounding myself with technology!
A direct message to the other, emphasising that the singer doesn't want or need its presence but recognises that it is not leaving.
you should be scrapped by sundown
The artist once again expresses their desire for the other to leave.
Broken machine is here to stay
The other is not leaving and the artist is commenting yet again on this fact.
Contributed by Charlie K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Milkman Dan
You're broken machine has questions for me
Wants to know a little bit about my history
Wants to know why I write these ridiculous songs
Wants to know everything that turns me on
And what turns me on is you
So now that's what turns it on too
It's methods are filling me up with doubt
This experience is starting to creep me out
It doesn't do anything
It just sits there
It doesn't do anything
It just sits there and looks at me
M-m-mechanical meltdown
It should be blown away
It should be scrapped by sundown
But broken machine is here to stay
Broken machine thinks it's fair to me
But it only sees what it wants to see
Looks into me to see what I'm made of
It's trying so hard to understand our love
And it sees that I love you
And so you're the one that it loves too
It wants to understand the workings of our heart
It doesn't care if it tears ours apart
It doesn't do anything
It just sits there
It doesn't do anything
It just sits there and looks at me
M-m-mechanical meltdown
It should be thown away
S-s-satanica shutdown
But broken machine is here to stay
You know what machine
My mind's not big enough for the both of us
But you tell me you're here to stay
I guess that's what I get for surrounding myself
With technology
M-m-mechanical meltdown
It should be thown away
You should be scrapped by sundown
But broken machine is here to stay
Broken machine is here to stay
Broken machine is here to stay
Broken machine is here to stay
Broken machine is here to stay
Milkman Dan
You're broken machine has questions for me
Wants to know a little bit about my history
Wants to know why I write these ridiculous songs
Wants to know everything that turns me on
And what turns me on is you
So now that's what turns it on too
It's methods are filling me up with doubt
This experience is starting to creep me out
It doesn't do anything
It just sits there
It doesn't do anything
It just sits there and looks at me
M-m-mechanical meltdown
It should be blown away
It should be scrapped by sundown
But broken machine is here to stay
Broken machine thinks it's fair to me
But it only sees what it wants to see
Looks into me to see what I'm made of
It's trying so hard to understand our love
And it sees that I love you
And so you're the one that it loves too
It wants to understand the workings of our heart
It doesn't care if it tears ours apart
It doesn't do anything
It just sits there
It doesn't do anything
It just sits there and looks at me
M-m-mechanical meltdown
It should be thown away
S-s-satanica shutdown
But broken machine is here to stay
You know what machine
My mind's not big enough for the both of us
But you tell me you're here to stay
I guess that's what I get for surrounding myself
With technology
M-m-mechanical meltdown
It should be thown away
You should be scrapped by sundown
But broken machine is here to stay
Broken machine is here to stay
Broken machine is here to stay
Broken machine is here to stay
Broken machine is here to stay
Alyx33
The broken machine is here to slay! :D
DMG Roberts
Thus begins every story of machines destroying humanity...born out of frustration from failing to understand our irrational emotions!
Katharsis
Damn, this is one hell of a machine...
Scott's Precious Little Account
Almost Jodorowsky-esque, one could say
afaultytoaster
it is a metaphor for my broken heart
Jones Crimson
When a man is retiring or otherwise unfit to work, people treat him like a monstrous broken machine. I think, maybe.
Hugo Dunsany
That time Dick Valentine and Bender Rodriguez burned down a topless bar...
Aidrian Hence
Dick Valentine, you fuckin' lyrical genius. xD
Ob Fuscated
Valentine did say most of his songs are about nothing. Enjoy them, don't try to read shit into them that's not there. They are meaningless and aurally arresting!