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 Model
Electric Six Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd like to take her home with me that's understood
She plays hard to get, she smiles from time to time
It only takes a camera to change her mind
She's going out tonight but drinking just champagne
And she has been checking nearly all the men
She's playing her game and you can hear them say
She's posing for consumer products now and then
For every camera she gives the best she can
I saw her on the cover of a magazine
Now she's a big success, I want to meet her again
Yes yes
The lyrics to Electric Six's song The Model are a commentary on the superficiality of the modeling industry. The singer of the song is a man who is attracted to a model and wants to take her home with him. However, he realizes that the model is more interested in her image and the attention she receives than in any particular person. The lyrics highlight how the model is constantly being objectified and judged by others on her appearance, as the men she checks may be evaluating her appearance for the purpose of appreciating her beauty or potentially offering her work. The singer is fascinated by her confidence and beauty, but realizes that it is likely that others feel the same way about her as well.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea that the model is not interested in forming real connections with people and is simply playing a game to keep up her image. She may smile from time to time, but it only takes a camera to change her mind, illustrating the idea that her desires are dependent on her image rather than her personality. Furthermore, the model is posing for consumer products frequently and meeting success, revealing the way that her image is being commoditized and sold in order to create an idealized standard of beauty.
Overall, Electric Six's The Model is a satirical critique of the modeling industry, revealing the negative effects it can have on individuals who are valued only for their physical appearance.
Line by Line Meaning
She's a model and she's looking good
The woman in question is a professional model who physically appears attractive.
I'd like to take her home with me that's understood
The singer finds this woman attractive and desires to engage in consensual sexual activity with her.
She plays hard to get, she smiles from time to time
The model is aware of her beauty and uses it to her advantage in social situations. She enjoys the attention and sometimes teases her admirers.
It only takes a camera to change her mind
The model's career involves posing for photographs and being filmed. She may appear uninterested initially, but the opportunity to be in front of a camera can change her willingness to participate.
She's going out tonight but drinking just champagne
The model is socializing and drinking an expensive beverage, implying a wealthy lifestyle and status.
And she has been checking nearly all the men
The model is observing and evaluating the men around her, likely for professional or personal interest.
She's playing her game and you can hear them say
The model is skilled at navigating social situations and manipulating those around her. Others are aware of this and recognize her power.
She is looking good, for beauty we will pay
The model's attractiveness is valuable in society and industry. People are willing to compensate her for her physical appearance.
She's posing for consumer products now and then
The model's career involves representing products for commercial purposes, often in advertisements or promotions.
For every camera she gives the best she can
The model works hard to present her best possible image in front of a camera, understanding the importance of her physical appearance in her career.
I saw her on the cover of a magazine
The singer recognizes the model's success and fame, likely through popular media.
Now she's a big success, I want to meet her again
The model's accomplishments have drawn the attention of the artist, who desires to engage with her further due to her perceived success and status.
Contributed by Kennedy B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@bengolious
Anyone who doesn't love the way he sings the first line needs to ask themself what they thought a Wildbunch (Electric Six) cover would, nay should, sound like.
@SarahSeabass
Thanks for this, this is the second stop on 'The Model' covers tour bus, first stop was Rammstien, next stop the Cardigans. Please do not feel the need to point out I have no life, I am already aware of the situation! All aboard!
@dangrel
I wasn't even aware that these guys had played this tune. Love both bands so this is a very cool thing to randomly stumble across.
@dcmartns
It is from 'The Wildbunch'!
@shaunyboychin1499
Haha class.
@campex
Rip Florian.
Top cover tho
@BeMizFit
i've been looking for years for the CD version of 'I Los Control, Of My Rock And Roll'
@cathalc08
really good
@jouruji
Valentine's is a drunk genius!
@SH0GUNwasR0BBED
Whateva!!!! I do what I want