Electric Six @ The Basement Nov. 9th

by Dave Schaefer

Electric Six is coming to The Basement this coming Friday, Nov. 9th. In tow will be their unique brand of alt/pop dance tunes that you can’t help but move to. At the same time, you can enjoy the lyrical cynicism that injects each song with a sharp wit that makes it more than superficial neo-disco. These guys are clever with their music, but at the same time, clearly don’t take it too seriously.

The band is touring to support their latest release, “I Shall Exterminate Everything Around Me That Restricts Me From Being The Master.” The title is taken from a George Grosz drawing of the same name (shown at left). Grosz was a post-WWI German artist that excelled at criticizing -- and satirizing -- the new German republic with its upper-class capitalism and excess in the midst of a nation in desperate need. His decidedly leftist bent often depicted the upper class and those in power with bitter humor.

Although lead singer Dick Valentine states that it’s general excess that inspired the CD’s title, it’s tough to not see the larger intention of pulling the name from Grosz’s sketch. One of the standout tracks -- “Down at McDonaldz” -- depicts the intent of his drawing nearly perfectly.

And you can consider all this deep meaning as you dance wildly to their live show. “Danger! High Voltage,” “Gay Bar,” “Dance Commander,” “I Buy the Drugs” and “Randy’s Hot Tonight” will surely be in the mix. And if you’re really really nice to them, they may even throw in “Naked Pictures (of your mother).”

Now that's a song in need of deep contemplation.

Electric Six
w/ 1990s, We Are The Fury
Friday, November 9, 2007
The Basement