I think Dennis Thompson started school at Wayne State to major in Physics, hence the propulsion analogy. I have a VIP Pass for 68 DNC Convention on night of MC5 concert. I went to a auction in 90 at a house on Pine Lake in Oakland County. bid and won on baseboard heaters, boiler and some plumbing fixtures. In one of baseboards was that pass, and a pamphlet from Watergate. It was a Federal Judges house that his Ex-Wife lived in, and apparently some of the things had fallen into items I bought at auction. Flash forward to 2019, I bought a MC5 record of net. Received broken because of Shipper. Contacted seller and it was Wayne Kramer, it was un-released songs published decades ago, and was last copy. Instead of telling me to go fuck myself, Wayne Kramer sent me a autographed copy of his book "The Hard Stuff", wich is a Excellent read, and a shitload of MC5 & Wayne Kramer stuff. I am a native Detroiter, retired almost a decade ago from the City of Detroit, so this shit is is in my DNA. The MC5 Was the Greatest Band Alive.
The energy of MC5 playing live was everything that made this band memorable. It was amazing; it was incredible. Their studio albums just were not the same, and I've seen/heard surviving band members speak about this.
Martin: you are accurate about the sound. At and post the Grande Ballroom Elektra gig, their sound changed big time. Dennis acknowledges that/btw. The recordings I made at multiple gigs were when the five were at their musical best. When you hear these recording made live, when they were on stage, and the audience was pulsing, it is clear why these concerts must be public for all to enjoy. These 5 guys followed their passion and changed the world with their musical synergy. Look for the MC5 LIVE playing, "Ice Pick Slim," when UEF releases it; just incredible!
I never saw them live Im too young. But I think High Time sounds pretty decent production wise. I also love the extreme rawness of their 1968 Looking at You single it easily matches that of The Stooges most noise drenched output. Possibly one of the most extreme and exhilarating records anyone has ever made.
@Bryterlater I've got every album that was available in the 70s. All... 3! Or maybe 4. What I was talking about wasn't production quality but the raw energy in their live performances and recordings. I haven't heard that '68 Looking at You single. Sounds like it's worth a listen.
UEF is releasing MC5 LIVE recordings I made with the band's permission pre the Grande Elektra recording. Plus it will contain a recording of the first time the MC5 played "Kick Out the Jams" live before an audience. This recording is prior to the M.F. opening being added. + More MC5 Secrets with Dennis Thompson video this year. Dennis talks about how the white panthers started. -- Plus a digital remaster of "Kick Out the Jams," per Dennis's request, that sounds more like band did live versus the Elektra mix. May the Jams be with us All! Cheers!
As one who experienced similar live energy through the 80's and 90's punk scene, I know seeing the MC5 live would have been incredible, legendary. Hoping the MC50 at least will do another tour soon. Hard not to respect the "Godfathers of Punk."
I'm happy they didn't get what they wanted with the first album. That one is truly one of a kind, and it's what got me hooked. I wouldn't change anything about it. That album captured the energy of the band and of the crowd in a spectacular way that still gives me goosebumps to this day any time I listen to it. I don't know of any other live recording that can touch it.
When you think about when they wrote this song 67’ 68’ recorded live in 68’ released in 69’ it’s mind blowing. They don’t get the credit they deserve. Easily the heaviest song of the day
The MC5 is the best two-guitar band of all time. The magnificently creative five gave us the greatest live album ever recorded and one of the greatest studio albums with "High Time". "Back In The USA" is also thoroughly enjoyable, no thanks to the fellow who wore the "producer" hat in the studio. Rest in peace Rob, Fred, Michael, Wayne and Dennis.
Man Looking good!; Excellent! just told someone the other day I met you at Macdonald's (When you with our mutual friend Greg) he was amazed.Great to hear the TRUTH RIGHT FROM GROUND ZERO..I had no clue about The MC5. you showed me some of your treasures on utube .My friend Jim Love him.(but really clueless) got bent over it. So I told him he's a drummer what the hell else would he shown me and what the hell else would I want to see Thanks!!!! Was
I played with Dennis at the old music store called Music Town on Biddle and the drummer he replaced was Bob Gasper(may have spelled the last name wrong, it's been a long 46 years .) But Dennis was putting a new band together and anyway they scouted me out and he was the best drummer I ever played with, but he was quick to tell that Bob Gasper was a boy wonder. I knew Bob , he took me to buy my first real amp, a Fender Twin and I'll text more cause this is getting long. But between Bob and Dennis stories I learned a lot.
I had just finished the eighth grade when I read an article about the band in Time magazine, I believe. It sounded pretty exciting so I bought “Kick Out the Jams.” I tried to convince myself that it was great, but I was disappointed with how ragged everything sounded. And the album cover photos and layout were tacky. But later on I bought “Back in the USA.” I couldn’t believe how squeaky clean it was! But some of the original songs were great. And I thought the guitar solos were excellent (I played guitar). For some reason it wasn’t until many years later that I bought the third album (on CD). It’s funny that he says he’s sticking to an R-rating by not saying the MF word. For many years you’ve been able to hear it in any PG-13 movie. I was supposed to see MC5 at Boston College in 1970 on the same bill with Led Zeppelin and Johnny Winter, but it got canceled. I still have a couple of the tickets. Apparently it got moved to Boston Garden, but I don’t mind too much that I missed it. The acoustics in the Garden, even for loud rock acts, were pretty terrible.
Hi Dennis, i would love to just contact you and say hello and Thank You. is there a site? or can i email you ? i love your work and especially on "Tonight" from that Beat Club video, its the BEST Rock n Roll i ever saw..
hi im a hue younger mc5 fan i got to jam with wayne and even got him to sign my pic gaurd would be a honor to meet dennis any way i could ask how to best get ahold of him
I bought KICK OUT THE JAMS when i was 15, i hated it. I was into EXPLOITED and GBH. It took years to respect this band in the right way. Somehow, it was easyer with THE STOOGES, that makes MC5 a better treat
So the way I understand it, although they have radical political beliefs, they are likewise careful about the products they sell, they are also very careful about their musicianship. This changes my opinion about the band.
Too strange about the ....not letting them.... rerecord the Grande. But Rob Tyner...is captured on that record. And like , Wayne never mentions Tyner. I saw one snippet of Rob being interviewed.....( Fucking Amazing ...) There's none ? He's the correct spokesman for the MC 5
Grew up in the Detroit are in the golden era of R&R, saw these punks in 1969 , live in concert; an opening group . God, they SUCKED !! Simply a bunch of garage band HACKS . What is all the fuss about this group now ? My Cuz just wrote a book about them and I am NOT amused....
