June 05 2009
Lost Rock — MC5
posted by Nick Sampson at 1:31 pm
Detroit’s legendary MC5
Lost Rock with Nick Sampson
The absolutely legendary MC5 (abbreviated from their original name The Motor City Five) formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1964 and were together until 1972. They played a hard, loud blend of blues-rock, psychedelia and garage rock. Revered as “crystallizing the counterculture movement at its most volatile and threatening”, their far left political ties, anti-establishment lyrics and music would serve as a prototype for punk. The band consisted of Wayne Kramer and Fred “Sonic” Smith (guitars), Michael Davis (bass), Rob Tyner (vocals), and Dennis Thompson (drums).
The MC5 developed a reputation for wild live performances, one of which was recorded and released as the critically acclaimed Kick Out The Jams. The band is still cited as one of the most important American groups of the era and their three albums are regarded as classics. An MC5 lineup featuring Kramer, Davis and Thompson (along with an array of famous stand-ins) is back together and played Auckland in 2004.
Nick Sampson is a founding member of Netherworld Dancing Toys. He now plays in Auckland rock band Rata & Sons
Video: The MC5 – “Kick Out The Jams”
June 7th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
Thanks for the nice post on the 5.
My blog has the backstory to the 5 and my other gigs as well. Stop by and leave a comment!
MGT