The MC5 (music group)
The MC5, or Motor City Five, was an influential American punk rock band formed in 1964 in Lincoln Park, Michigan. Known for their politically charged lyrics and vigorous sound, the band gained prominence in the late 1960s, particularly with their debut live album "Kick Out the Jams." The group's early lineup included notable members such as Rob Tyner on vocals, guitarists Fred "Sonic" Smith and Wayne Kramer, bassist Michael Davis, and drummer Dennis Thompson. They were closely associated with the counterculture movement and often incorporated political themes into their performances, famously wrapping themselves in the American flag and calling for revolution.
Despite their initial success, the MC5 faced challenges in the 1970s, including a decline in popularity and internal conflicts, which ultimately led to their breakup in 1972. After disbanding, the members pursued varied solo careers, with limited success. Although they reunited for brief projects in later years, including the DKT/MC5 ensemble, the band's legacy as pioneers of punk rock and their impact on the music scene endures. The surviving members and the band's history continue to be commemorated in cultural exhibitions and events.
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The MC5 (music group)
The Motor City Five, better known as the MC5, was an American punk rock band from Lincoln Park, Michigan. The band enjoyed some success in the late 1960s with its politically driven lyrics and loud, energetic, hard punk sound. By the 1970s, however, the band saw a decline. The MC5 never fully recovered its former glory after this time, and by the end of 1972, the band had broken up. Its members went their separate ways, but none of them saw much success.
Origins
Five high school friends formed the MC5 in 1964 in Lincoln Park, Michigan. The band members included Rob Tyner on vocals, Fred "Sonic" Smith and Wayne Kramer as guitarists, bassist Pat Burrows, and drummer Bob Gaspar. In the early years, the band members wore matching outfits and played at parties and other gatherings. Smith and Kramer got involved in a different kind of sound and began incorporating feedback and distortion into the band's music. Burrows and Gaspar did not agree with the new sound or direction of the band and left the MC5 in 1965.
The following year, bassist Michael Davis and drummer Dennis Thompson joined the MC5. Around this time, the band received regular work at the famed Grande Ballroom in Detroit. John Sinclair, who taught English by day and was known as the city's "King of the Hippies" and leader of the White Panther Party by night, took an interest in the MC5. By 1967, Sinclair had much influence over the band and served as its manager.
The MC5 released its first single, "I Can Only Give You Everything," in 1967. Influenced by Sinclair's political organization, the band began incorporating political undertones in its music. During performances, band members wrapped themselves in the American flag, screamed profanities, and called on fans to start a revolution. The MC5 band members had a few incidents with the Detroit police during this time and relocated to Ann Arbor in 1968.
In the summer of 1968, the band performed at the Yippie (Youth International Party) Festival of Life in Chicago. The rally was organized to oppose the Democratic National Convention. Elektra Records executive Danny Fields, who was in the show's audience, was impressed with the MC5 and signed the band. The MC5 recorded its debut live album, Kick Out the Jams, at the Grande over two days in October 1968. The album was released the following year. Some retailers, however, refused to sell the album because of its graphic content. In response, the band took out advertisements in which it bashed the retailers that refused to carry its music. Elektra responded by issuing a clean version of the album, even though the band was not happy with the decision.
Decline
Soon after, Elektra dropped the MC5, and Sinclair was sentenced to prison on drug charges. Atlantic picked up the band and hired producer Jon Landau to help it work on its second album. In 1970, the MC5 released Back in the USA. The album did not contain any political undertones in its lyrics, but it did have a harsh punk sound that drove a wedge between the band and both fans and critics. Despite much promotion, the album failed to sell. The band subsequently released High Time in 1971. Despite upbeat reviews, it sold very poorly, and Atlantic cancelled the band's contract.
The band then went to England but was soon out of money and filed for bankruptcy. In addition, a few members got involved in drugs, leading to Davis's dismissal from the band in 1972. Steve Moorhouse replaced the bassist, but the band was plagued with more bad news when Tyner and Thompson announced they were retiring from touring. This lineup played its last show together at the Grande Ballroom on December 31, 1972.
Aftermath
Most of the MC5 band members did not enjoy much success after the band's breakup. Tyner concentrated on a solo music career and spent time working as a photographer and songwriter. He released a few albums before dying from a heart attack in 1991. Smith teamed with Scott Morgan to form Sonic's Rendezvous Band and released the song "City Slang" in 1977. The band toured Europe with Iggy Pop, but the union did not last, and Smith left the group. He died of heart failure in 1994.
Thompson also concentrated on a solo career but was mostly unsuccessful. Davis played with Ron Asheton of the Stooges and formed the band Destroy All Monsters but was not very successful.
Kramer spent the rest of the 1970s and much of the 1980s battling drugs. He spent some time in prison for drug-related crimes; while in prison, he teamed with jazz trumpeter Red Rodney. In 1995, Kramer cleaned up and released the solo album The Hard Stuff under the Epitaph label. He formed MuscleTone Records in 2001 and sometimes performed with the band the Racketeers.
In 2003, remaining MC5 members (Davis, Kramer, and Thompson) reteamed with several guest musicians, including vocalist David Vanian of the Damned and bassist Nicke Andersson of the Hellacopters, to form DKT/MC5. The band worked together and toured until 2005.
Davis died of liver failure in 2012. An exhibit to celebrate the band was held at the Lincoln Park Historical Museum in 2015. Thompson attended the opening along with members of the families of Tyner, Smith, Davis, and Kramer. As of 2016, Thompson and Kramer were the only surviving members of the MC5.
Bibliography
"MC5." Rolling Stone. Rolling Stone. Web. 14 Feb. 2016. http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/mc5
"MC5." AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Web. 14 Feb. 2016. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/mc5-mn0000182598
Strachan, Jessica. "Legendary Rock Band MC5 Draws Hundreds of Fans, Music History Icons to 50th Anniversary Reception." News-Herald (Southgate, Michigan). Digital First Media. 14 July 2015. Web. 14 Feb. 2016. http://www.thenewsherald.com/articles/2015/07/14/news/doc55a594b95f96f638593191.txt