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
It Ain
Electric Six Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It ain't puck rock 'til the punk rockers say it's punk rock.
Don't waste your time examining the mind of a stripper
You're gonna get gripped in the grip of the gripper.
It ain't puck rock 'til the punk rockers say it's punk
Rock!
Rock!
Rock!
Number eighty-eight, number eighty-eight, number eighty-eight
Number eighty-eight, number eighty-eight, number eighty-eight
Why are all the white people filled with hate? (filled with hate)
Why do archeologists excavate? (excavate)
Number eighty-eight, number eighty-eight, number eighty-eight
Number eighty-eight,
Number eighty-eight,
Number eighty-eight
Loads can be made
We should wrap this debate
So decide under the covers where the good times await
Every life needs a fate
Every lad needs a mate
Every seller needs a buyer
Every oven needs a fire
And if you're on fire, you're gonna need some water
And if you're underwater, you're gonna need some air
And if you're in the air, you're gonna need a place to land
And if you're on land, you can come and see my piece of shit band!
It ain't puck rock 'til the punk rockers say it's punk rock.
Number eighty-eight, Number eighty-eight
It ain't puck rock 'til the punk rockers say it's punk rock.
Number eighty-eight, Number eighty-eight
Is this really happening?
Yes it is! (Yes it is!)
Are we always doing this?
Yes it is! (Yes it is!)
I'm gonna be a sweet billionaire, lover.
The lyrics of Electric Six's song, "It Ain't Punk Rock (Until The Punk Rockers Say It Is)", reflect the idea that a particular genre or a certain type of music can only be defined by the people who partake in it. The lyrics repeat the phrase "It ain't punk rock till the punk rockers say it's punk rock", emphasizing the idea that the culture of punk music is kept alive by the people who identify with it. The lyrics question why people waste their time trying to understand the likes of strippers instead of focusing on the things that define them.
The song also touches on other topics ranging from racial hate and archeological excavation to the idea that every individual needs someone or something. The repetition of the phrase "Number eighty-eight" seems like a reference to the Neo-Nazi group, known as the Hammerskins, which uses the number 88 as a symbol of their cause (the letter H being the eighth letter in the alphabet). The lyrics reflect the idea that crime and hate are present in society, and we need to focus on the good things in life while being aware of the bad.
In conclusion, "It Ain't Punk Rock (Until The Punk Rockers Say It Is)" is a song that reflects the culture of punk rock and the notion that people's thoughts and beliefs are what define a genre of music. It encourages people to focus on the good things in life while also acknowledging the bad.
Line by Line Meaning
It ain't puck rock 'til the punk rockers say it's punk rock.
The genre of punk rock cannot be defined until the punk rock community agrees on what it entails.
Don't waste your time examining the mind of a stripper
It is pointless to try to understand the motivations of someone who works in the adult entertainment industry.
You're gonna get gripped in the grip of the gripper.
If you engage with the stripper, you may become embroiled in a situation from which it is difficult to escape.
Why are all the white people filled with hate? (filled with hate)
The singer is pointing out the phenomenon of racism among white people and questioning why it exists.
Why do archaeologists excavate? (excavate)
The singer is questioning the motivations behind the process of archaeological excavation.
Loads can be made
There are many opportunities to make money in life.
We should wrap this debate
The discussion should come to a close.
So decide under the covers where the good times await
Make a decision about what you want to do in a private or intimate setting.
Every life needs a fate
The idea that each person has a predetermined destiny.
Every lad needs a mate
Every young man needs a companion or partner.
Every seller needs a buyer
In order for a business transaction to occur, there must be both a seller and a buyer.
Every oven needs a fire
In order for an oven to function, there must be a source of heat to power it.
And if you're on fire, you're gonna need some water
In the case of an emergency such as being on fire, you will require water to put out the flames.
And if you're underwater, you're gonna need some air
When underwater, it is necessary to have a supply of breathable air.
And if you're in the air, you're gonna need a place to land
When flying, it is important to have a suitable location to land, such as an airport or runway.
And if you're on land, you can come and see my piece of shit band!
On the topic of having somewhere to be, the singer is inviting people to see his band perform, despite acknowledging that they may not be very good (a 'piece of shit').
Is this really happening?
The singer is questioning whether something is actually occurring or if it is just a figment of their imagination.
Yes it is! (Yes it is!)
Confirming that something is indeed happening.
Are we always doing this?
Asking if a certain action is a regular occurrence.
I'm gonna be a sweet billionaire, lover.
An expression of the singer's aspirations to become wealthy and successful, as well as a term of endearment towards the intended listener.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@erjo8199
Man! This song is way better than I remembered it
@leatherwolf73
I love electric six!
@Aetrion
If you're on fire, you're gonna need some water and if you're under water, you're gonna need some air and if you're in the air, you're gonna need a place to land and if you're on land ... you can come and see my piece of shit band!!!
@empath69
I know it's getting late , we should wrap this debate
So let's dive under the covers , where the good times await
Every life needs a fate , every lad needs a mate
Every seller needs a buyer , every oven needs a fire
And...