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
Dance A-Thon
Electric Six Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That man you're with
He ain't no innocent man
He's a killer child
I seen him rip apart a young girl
With his bare hands
Now I know you think you know just what you're doin'
But be careful with your heart
'cause this things about to start
And its about to escalate into a war
25 contestants start the show
But only 1 will survive
It's not how you dance
It's who you know
Dance-A-Thon 2005
Dance-A-Thon 2005
Dance-A-Thon 2005
2005
It's too hot
Too far apart
To understand the game
But when this thing is over child
Everybody here gonna' remember your name
Now baby shoot out all the lights
And bring those crazy judges down to their knees
'Cause they're watchin' you all night child
A distinguished panel of celebrities
25 contestants start the show
But only 1 will survive
It's not how you dance
It's who you know
Dance-A-Thon 2005
Dance-A-Thon 2005
Dance-A-Thon 2005
Dance-A-Thon 2005
Dance-A-Thon 2005
Five!
And I want to reach into the fire of your heart
And I want to program all those beats right from the start
Have you ever been to New York City?
New York City.....
The lyrics of the song "Dance-A-Thon 2005" by Electric Six appear to convey a warning to a woman, who is with a man that is perceived to be dangerous. The opening lines of the song "Baby get up off the floor, That man you're with, He ain't no innocent man, He's a killer child" indicate the man's predatory nature. The singer claims to have witnessed the man commit murder: "I seen him rip apart a young girl, With his bare hands." The woman is warned to be careful with her heart because things are about to escalate into a war. The song then shifts into the context of the Dance-A-Thon competition, in which 25 contestants will be whittled down to one winner. The lyrics suggest that the outcome of the contest is not solely based on dancing abilities, but rather, who you know. The stakes are high, as everybody present will remember the winner's name after the competition.
The lyrics of the song develop a sense of urgency, as the singer tries to persuade the woman to leave the man's side. The lyrics convey a sense of danger, suggesting that the man is capable of extreme violence. The parallels between the Dance-A-Thon competition and the inner turmoil of the woman's life create an interesting juxtaposition that leaves the listener wondering what exactly is at stake for the woman if she leaves the man or enters the dance competition. Ultimately, the song appears to be a warning against the allure of danger and an urging to make wise choices.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby get up off the floor
Encouraging someone to stand up and move on from a bad situation.
That man you're with
Addressing a person's partner and warning them about their true nature.
He ain't no innocent man
Asserting that person's partner is guilty of something malicious.
He’s a killer child
Describing someone's partner as a dangerous person who harms others.
I seen him rip apart a young girl
Providing evidence of the partner's malice and violent nature.
Now I know you think you know just what you're doin'
Acknowledging the person's ability to make their own decisions despite the warning.
You've been here time and time again before
Implying that the person has been in similar situations before and should be more cautious.
But be careful with your heart
Advising the person to guard their emotions and not get too invested.
'cause this things about to start
Hinting at the possibility of danger and anticipation of intense activity.
And its about to escalate into a war
Suggesting that the situation will intensify and become a conflict.
25 contestants start the show
Announcing the beginning of a competition with multiple participants.
But only 1 will survive
Highlighting the high stakes of the competition and the competitive atmosphere.
It's not how you dance
Stressing that the competition is not solely based on dancing skills.
It's who you know
Implying that the outcome of the competition may be influenced by connections and relationships.
Dance-A-Thon 2005
Identifying the name and year of the competition.
It's too hot
Suggesting that the competition is intense and overwhelming.
Too far apart
Acknowledging the distance between the participants and the challenge of the competition.
To understand the game
Admitting that the competition may be confusing or complicated.
But when this thing is over child
Suggesting that the competition will have a significant impact on the participants' lives.
Everybody here gonna' remember your name
Predicting that the winner of the competition will become famous or well-known.
Now baby shoot out all the lights
Encouraging the person to make a bold move and perform their best.
And bring those crazy judges down to their knees
Suggesting that the person should impress the judges with their performance.
'Cause they're watchin' you all night child
Reminding the person of the judges' constant presence and attention.
A distinguished panel of celebrities
Describing the importance and prominence of the competition's judges.
2005
Reiterating the year of the competition.
And I want to reach into the fire of your heart
Expressing interest in the person and their passion.
And I want to program all those beats right from the start
Aspiring to create music and dance moves that capture the person's energy and style.
Have you ever been to New York City?
Asking the person if they have visited the famous city.
New York City.....
Ending the song with a reference to the iconic city.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Conflagration Destination
Damn this song just pushed all the right buttons. Electric Six pls never die.
Matt Knoblock
Insanely underrated and it’s about to escalate into a war! Please make a dance-a-thon 2025!
ihreee
it doesnt matter how you dance but who you know! damn electric 6 is good!!!
Decky
This was the first non fire electric six song I heard and it blew me away.
paaluis
could we get this album on spotify please and thank you :)
frank riccardi
@Ob Fuscated can you upload some more of their full albums in single file, please, fren?
Because, saying...'fuck Spotify in its unwiped ass'
for a fren
Ob Fuscated
I download them off Youtube. Google is your friend as the methods change frequently....
Tom B
Can't wait to E6 again, fantastic live show
AWSOMEPOSSUM16
Can't stop listening.
Nash Knight
Why isn't this album on Spotify??