Electric Six interview
by Amber Hartman – 2008
Your album just came out this week, are there any reviews out? What have they been like?
There have been some reviews. Most of them seem positive. Every now and then you get the old, “Electric Six are back with the same tired joke that got tired 4 albums ago.” They don’t seem to realize that particular review approach also got tired. If you are going to use a tired review to call us old and tired, I have no sympathy for you.
What’s “Flashy” about your new album?
Definitely the album cover. And the use of live horns.
What sets it apart from the previous albums?
The album cover. And the use of live horns.
What’s the story behind your band name??
We used to be called the Wildbunch. When we got our first record deal, we were informed that someone else had the rights to that name, so we had to change our name. Electric Six was the first name we got to, after a whole lot of other ideas, where no one threatened to quit if that was the name. For instance, I wanted the band to be called Black Guy. A few people threatened to quit if we changed the name to Black Guy.
What’s the reasoning and/or story behind your pseudo names?
We were much younger when we came up with that idea. I think we thought it was cool to have stage names. We were wrong.
What has been the greatest struggle for you as a band?
Winning over the NASCAR segment of the population.
Do you really feel that show business is the “last frontier of communism”?
No, I think communism is on its way back. At least that’s what I hear on FOX News.
Who does the writing for the band?
We all write the music. I [Dick Valentine] write the lyrics.
Who or what have also influenced your music?
We are influenced heavily by television, both the band and the thing.
Who has been your favorite band to tour with?
Aberdeen City.
What makes your live performance unique?
We lack self-esteem. Most bands have confidence and feel they are up there on the stage for a reason. We have zero confidence and we always feel like they will pull the plug at any moment. Therefore, you the audience member, gets a unique show.
Is there anything that sets you apart from other bands and musicians?
We don’t live with our parents.
Well thanks very much for your time.
Thanks a lot.
On your official website, you each have a profile and one of the questions is, “if time travel were possible where would you go,” what is the significance of your answers? Brentwood, 1994. Manchester 1985?
Brentwood, 1994 is to see if OJ really did it or not. I still don’t know for sure and I would love to go and see with my own eyes. Manchester 1985 is for our keyboard player Tait Nucleus. He would loved to have set foot in the Hacienda before it was a condominium.
