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
The Band In Hell
Electric Six Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Plays all night long
It's a sold out show
And there is only one song
There is no rhythm
And there is no rhyme
It goes on forever
And now the devil he plays guitar
And Hitler plays the drums
I'm the man on the microphone
This is what I've become
I'm sorry that
I'm sorry that I love you
I'm sorry I
I'm sorry I am what I am
Another coal on the fire
Now there was once a man
Who walked the Earth with no shoes
He went from town to town
Playing rhythm and blues
And there was love in every note that he played
And there was truth in every word that he sang
He offered those who believed his guarantee
But somehow he missed me
And I'm sorry that
I'm sorry that I love you
I'm sorry I
I'm sorry I am what I am
A damnation to you
I'm sorry
I'm sorry
The song "The Band In Hell" by Electric Six paints a vivid picture of a nightmare-ish world where a band plays a never-ending sold-out show in Hell. The entirety of the performance consists of playing one song, with no rhythm or rhyme, until the end of time. The lyrics highlight the hopelessness of the performers, who are seemingly trapped in this eternal performance. The lead singer seems to be lamenting his own condition as he sings, "And I'm sorry that I love you/ I'm sorry I am what I am/ Another coal on the fire." He is apologetic that his love has been turned into another thing that feeds the Hell-fire.
The song takes a bizarre turn towards the end as the devil starts playing guitar and Hitler plays the drums. It adds to the surreal, uncomfortable feeling of the song. The last verse brings in a glimmer of hope, as the singer talks about a man who traveled and played blues music. According to the song, he brought love and truth with every note he sang. He promises redemption to all who believe, but the singer feels that he has been left out.
Line by Line Meaning
The band in hell
A group of musicians playing in the underworld
Plays all night long
The band plays nonstop throughout the night
It's a sold out show
The concert is full, with no available tickets
And there is only one song
The band keeps playing the same song repeatedly
There is no rhythm
The band lacks a structured pattern or beat
And there is no rhyme
The lyrics lack a consistent rhyme scheme
It goes on forever
The constant repetition persists for an endless duration
Until the end of time
The repetitive performance is never-ending
And now the devil he plays guitar
Satan is featured as the guitarist for the band
And Hitler plays the drums
Even historical villains contribute to the band's music, with Hitler included on drums
I'm the man on the microphone
The singer is the primary vocalist, leading the performance
This is what I've become
The performer's role in this constant cycle has become their identity
I'm sorry that
Apology for one's actions
I'm sorry that I love you
The performer is remorseful for their feelings towards someone
I'm sorry I
More apologies for one's actions
I'm sorry I am what I am
The performer regrets their identity or personal traits
Another coal on the fire
The performer's contribution to the never-ending performance is insignificant or destructive
Now there was once a man
Introducing a prior figure
Who walked the Earth with no shoes
This man was characterized by his lack of material possessions and connection to the earth
He went from town to town
This man traveled frequently
Playing rhythm and blues
He performed a genre of music
And there was love in every note that he played
His music was filled with passion and emotion
And there was truth in every word that he sang
His lyrics were honest and sincere
He offered those who believed his guarantee
He provided listeners with a sense of security through his promises and music
But somehow he missed me
The performer was not reached by this musician's impact
A damnation to you
The performer believes they have let down others or brought them hardship
I'm sorry
Another apology for their actions
Contributed by Nolan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Xi0nIsBestGirlFightMeIrl
Now the devil he plays gutair
And Hitler plays the drums
My man Stalin plays the synth
Gandhi's got the bass
And then there's me
I'm the man on the microphone
this is what I've become
It could work........
Virtus Revenge
One of the most underrated and incredible live bands on the planet.
Tim Maggs
Their lyrics are fucking incredible!
Darchus08
I think what really makes this song awesome (aside from being E6) is how very Doors/Jim Morrison the sound is.
Daniel Edgecombe
I get a very Aerosmith/90s grunge vibe.
Morten Rollsen
From Wikipedia: "The album was released on September 12, 2006 in the United States and was followed by releases in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Scandinavia." Wait. This wasn't released in Switzerland? No wonder I'm just hearing this band for the first time. I love it!!!
Ydintuho 80
i think the singer has a great voice
pantheon777
I know what it's like to be in hell for loving someone I shouldn't or not being a good enough person to live up to someones expectations.
David Jatt
"I'm sorry that I love you"
awesome
Moseh Khayim
This sounds like it belongs in "From Dusk till Dawn".
gagaplex LPs
The blues man with no shoes is clearly modern-day Jesus.