Mixed Feelings
I heard on the wireless yesterday that legendary Detroit band The MC5 are going to grace our shores with their presence. I can't say that I greeted this news with unalloyed pleasure. After all, they are well past their prime and may be something of a sad spectacle.
For those kiddies who don't know what I'm on about, I'll give you a bit of insight. Way, way back in 1967, when all the middle class rebel hippies were hanging out in Haight-Asbury, sponging off their parents back East as the twentieth century equivalent of remittance men, the real revolution was taking place in working class Detroit, home of the sixties hardest working rock band The Motor City Five, (MC5). While all the hippies dropped acid and recited Ginsberg to each other, the underclasses would get drunk and Kick Out The Jams. The story goes that Iggy and the Stooges (also from Detroit, I think) were heavily influenced by The MC5, and the Stooges Raw Power is said to mark the birth of the US alternative scene. Bands influenced by the Stooges include The Ramones and The Pixies, who, in turn, (is that too many commas?) influenced Nirvana who, of course, influenced every zit-faced teenaged fuckwit who thought Cobain was onto something new.
But that was way back in '67. I'm scared that these days watching The MC5 will be like watching Ozzy Osbourne trying to relive'72, when Sabbath Bloody Sabbath could still do more than give old ladies a bit of a thrill. Even worse than watching that masterpiece of animatronics, Keith Richards wander around in the background as that aging, middle class social climber Jagger poonces around in a pathetic echo of his former glory (?).
Still, I may go and have a Bo-peep. It's a bit like visiting someone at the Peter McCallum Clinic - unpleasant, but you do it anyway, in memory of past joys.
For those kiddies who don't know what I'm on about, I'll give you a bit of insight. Way, way back in 1967, when all the middle class rebel hippies were hanging out in Haight-Asbury, sponging off their parents back East as the twentieth century equivalent of remittance men, the real revolution was taking place in working class Detroit, home of the sixties hardest working rock band The Motor City Five, (MC5). While all the hippies dropped acid and recited Ginsberg to each other, the underclasses would get drunk and Kick Out The Jams. The story goes that Iggy and the Stooges (also from Detroit, I think) were heavily influenced by The MC5, and the Stooges Raw Power is said to mark the birth of the US alternative scene. Bands influenced by the Stooges include The Ramones and The Pixies, who, in turn, (is that too many commas?) influenced Nirvana who, of course, influenced every zit-faced teenaged fuckwit who thought Cobain was onto something new.
But that was way back in '67. I'm scared that these days watching The MC5 will be like watching Ozzy Osbourne trying to relive'72, when Sabbath Bloody Sabbath could still do more than give old ladies a bit of a thrill. Even worse than watching that masterpiece of animatronics, Keith Richards wander around in the background as that aging, middle class social climber Jagger poonces around in a pathetic echo of his former glory (?).
Still, I may go and have a Bo-peep. It's a bit like visiting someone at the Peter McCallum Clinic - unpleasant, but you do it anyway, in memory of past joys.
posted by Dirk at 3:08 pm
5 Comments:
Yeah but, who influenced MC5..?
Nobody, they burst forth from the womb fully formed, with guitar in one hand and beer in the other.
The Stooges are definitely from Detroit. A rockin' city.
The Amboy Dukes - The Nuge has a great site.
Brownsville Station - Famous mainly for Smokin' in the Boys Room.
Commander Cody - Billy Kirchen has a fantastic cover of Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues.
Grand Funk Railroad - Famous but never liked them.
Parliament/Funkadelic - Well, that's where Clinton teamed up with Bootsy amd Catfish.
Bob Seger - Terrific albums Back in '72 and Smokin' OP's.
As are the Von Bondies, Dirtbombs, The Singles, The Gore Gore Girls and of course, The White Stripes.
Great music city.
You're right about Jagger and Keef. Saw the Stones last year, very disappointing. I'm also seeing the Who later this month. Hope they're better.
The MC5 might go the same way what with Smith and Tyner dead a long time, they might also lack the "necessaries". Never liked Evan Dando or The Lemonheads either.
Didn't have any Amboy Dukes. I did have four or five Nugent albums, though - Weekend Warriors, Double Live Gonzo etc. The man was (is?) a genius, don't know why I stopped buying his stuff. Seem to recall he was a fair hand with a bow, too. The story among my mates was that he wouldn't eat meat that he hadn't hunted. Smokin' In The Boys' Room must be in the top twenty songs of all time. Are we taliking Commander Cody and The Lost Planet Airmen? If so, I had an album of theirs, don't remember the title, but it had a song called 'Hot Rod Lincoln' - not the best song on the album, I seem to remember. GFR? - pffft. Parliament still get my feet moving - not a pretty sight. Had Seger's Smokin' OP's and Nightmoves, guess which one stood the test of time better? The Von Blondies I've heard on the wireless a few times - two thumbs up. Ditto, Dirtbombs. Don't know The Singles or The Gore Gore Girls. The White Stripes are in the same boat as The Vines as far as I'm concerned - if I hadn't been subjected to the hype, I'd probably think that they were o.k.
Actually, I do like Seven Nation Army and Hotel Yorba (sp.?), but gees, its hard not to feel manipulated.
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