Electric Six @ Birmingham Academy 2, 29th November 2011
The six-piece metro Detroit-based band were back again with their brand of rock music merged with “garage, disco, punk, new wave and metal.” They were “only” upstairs in the Academy 2 and Dick was having none of it, “there is something fundamentally wrong with your society.” The BBC were downstairs of course for the 1xtra extravaganza where only the biggest current names in the music business could perform, which is why it’s so bemusing for a novelty act as The Electric Six who have completely overused their novelty yet keep on writing album after album to come out with. When will this novelty wear off? Not for a while it seems as they were promoting yet another album with mixed genre songs that don’t really live up to “Gay bar.”
The band met recognition in 2003 with the singles “Danger! High Voltage” and “Gay Bar” and subsequently recorded eight full length albums, with “Heartbeats and Brainwaves” being the newest. Although the hits lie in 2003 the new album did seem to have some worthy attempts on. It does seem however that Electric Six are just writing new songs to play to the fans, they are at their peak when on stage and for 7 solid years have been everywhere. Dick Valentine is a charismatic character and his vocal input spruced up the night. He is a mixture of Jack Black and Chad Kroeger, if only he could write some decent songs he would be playing downstairs on the main stage, Valentine certainly has the talent when it comes to vocally but maybe it’s the mass of Electric Six songs that have ruined their reputation.
There was no point in the gig where the sound lost quality but it did get repetitive come 7th/8th song. Nevertheless Valentine did keep the show going with his banter between songs and his humorous shenanigans. All of Dick’s attributes are the reason why the gigs aren’t predictable and are why he and his group are still touring. “Hello! I See You” and “Synthesiser” were definite party starters and received a great reception, but still with all these albums and years behind them only two real hits. “The Ecstasy Of Accepting Satan As Your Master” was entertaining but you could really hear the gravelly vocals. Electric Six know that their novelty is running thin “We’ll be back in one of the rooms if you’ll have us, and we are going to try and play at the Bull Ring if you sign a petition and send it to Nick Clegg.” But it’s not going to stop them. I hope they do write a good song soon as the talent in the six-piece group is very high.
The Electric Six need to do more of what they have just done and cover Christmas classics as “You’re a mean one Mr Grinch” is fantastic. Alas, if Valentine were only available in 1966, he would’ve done an admirable job. The group have the big Detroit sound but are influenced by too many genres, the novelty wouldn’t be there but it was the novelty that got the group noticed so I suppose the electric six don’t have a choice as that’s what their fans want to hear.
The Electric Six left the stage with their optimistic parting message “Everyone here is going to die someday, but with the Electric Six, you don’t have to feel it.”
Review – John Kirby
Photos – Helen Moss