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
There''s Something Very Wrong With Us So Let's Go Out Tonight
Electric Six Lyrics
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I see everything the policeman sees
City's on fire, it's a billion degrees
Oh oh
The policeman he waves me through
That's the difference between me and you
We're watching hot tits on ice 'til we freeze
White DJ in Detroit
Black MC in Tokyo
White girl in a black Blockbuster Video
Oh oh
Aaaaaaaaaah!
(Something wrong with us)
There's something very wrong with us tonight
Aaaaaaaaaah!
(Something wrong with us)
There's something very wrong with us tonight
So let's go out tonight
Subway passenger
I see everything that the passenger sees
One hundred buildings for every five trees
Oh oh
And I will ride 'til the ride is through
That's what the passenger's expected to do
Looking to pick up a Japanese
Venereal disease
Dutch hip-hop in Atlanta
Tight new R&B in Estonia
Just another sick American at Yoshinoya
Oh oh
Aaaaaaaaaah!
(Something wrong with us)
There's something very wrong with us tonight
Aaaaaaaaaah!
(Something wrong with us)
There's something very wrong with us tonight
So let's go out tonight
The lyrics to Electric Six's song "There's Something Very Wrong With Us So Let's Go Out Tonight" are a satirical commentary on modern society's obsession with pleasure-seeking, superficiality, and self-indulgence. The song opens with the singer noting that they can see everything that the policeman sees, suggesting that they are complicit in the criminal activities that the police are meant to deter. The next lines suggest that the city is burning and that the temperature is raised to a billion degrees, perhaps a metaphor for the destructive and dangerous consequences of our actions. However, despite this, the singer and their companions are waved through, indicating that they are immune to the consequences of their actions.
The next verse continues with this theme, with the singer noting that they can see everything the subway passenger sees, including the lack of green spaces and the overwhelming presence of buildings. The line "looking to pick up a Japanese venereal disease" is a crude reference to the singer's desire for exotic and adventurous experiences, regardless of the risks involved. The final verse describes various cultural mashups, such as Dutch hip-hop in Atlanta and tight new R&B in Estonia, highlighting the global influence of consumer culture and our desire for novelty and excitement. The refrain, "There's something very wrong with us tonight, so let's go out tonight," suggests that despite our awareness of the destructive consequences of our actions, we are still driven to indulge and seek pleasure.
Line by Line Meaning
Policeman watching you
I can see everything from the perspective of a policeman watching you
I see everything the policeman sees
I have a heightened sense of awareness and can see everything that the policeman sees
City's on fire, it's a billion degrees
The city is in chaos and it feels like it's a billion degrees outside
The policeman he waves me through
The policeman is allowing me to pass through without any issues
That's the difference between me and you
This is what sets me apart from you
We're watching hot tits on ice 'til we freeze
We're living life on the edge and enjoying every moment of it
White DJ in Detroit
A white DJ is playing music in Detroit
Black MC in Tokyo
A black MC is performing in Tokyo
White girl in a black Blockbuster Video
A white girl is browsing movies in a black Blockbuster Video store
Subway passenger
I am a passenger on the subway
One hundred buildings for every five trees
The city is overrun with buildings and there are very few trees around
And I will ride 'til the ride is through
I will continue riding on the subway until I reach my destination
That's what the passenger's expected to do
It's expected of me to simply ride on the subway without causing any issues
Looking to pick up a Japanese
Venereal disease
I am actively seeking out a Japanese venereal disease, which is both dangerous and irresponsible
Dutch hip-hop in Atlanta
People are listening to Dutch hip-hop music in Atlanta
Tight new R&B in Estonia
People are enjoying new, tight R&B music in Estonia
Just another sick American at Yoshinoya
I am just another sick American eating at Yoshinoya
There's something very wrong with us tonight
We are indulging in reckless behavior and there is something very wrong with our actions tonight
So let's go out tonight
Let's continue with our reckless behavior and go out tonight
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eva Denisova
This band is criminally underrated
boutrosboutrosboutros
seem them twice amazing live
Jonathan Boetto
I am deeply ashamed to admit that, after seventeen years of listening to this album religiously, I am just now discovering that they made a music video for this masterpiece!
Red Hunteur
One of the greatest bands which almost nobody knows of. Sad. These guys deserve to be HUUUUUGE!
Huh What
It's because they are too clever, if they were stupider they'd be HUUUUUGE!
Bikewithlove
@Huh What My thoughts exactly. Our society lacks the kind of sophistication it takes to become the true self & shed preconceptions in order to get to the fire at the heart of the Taco Bell.
Trucker gunner
Think they prefer to tour and promote their music that way, rather then be commercial
Rusty Shackleford
Man I love these guys so much… Dick Valentines voice is just perfect. They deserve all the fans & attention
Aknatsu67
This song is quite amazing. It manages to capture Electric Six's signature not-giving-a-fuck attitude while creating a really tragic atmosphere. It's a surprisingly deep song.
Dennis Nissen
This video is amazing. Genius idea of the grim reaper. Electric six should really be appreciated much more.