The Electric Six Experience

It was the type of concert that leaves you drunk with energy, flushed with excitement, and just happy to be alive. Standing on the upper balcony aboard The Temptress for the Rocks Off Concert Cruise, floating down the Hudson River, sweating like a pig but dancing anyway with fellow shipmates, you couldn’t help but have a smile on your face all throughout Electric Six’s performance, both from watching the band’s antics and from the equally amusing behavior of various audience members.

There was no end to the fist-pumping, crowd surfing, and moshing from the interesting mix of listeners, and a feeling of camaraderie was apparent as everyone let the music take them where it would. The rowdy frat boys at the front of the room screamed along to the lyrics from “Gay Bar” the tattooed girls wearing heavy mascara gyrated their hips while sipping their drinks to “Dance Epidemic”; a hippie-ish looking girl wearing a long red scarf around her head swayed to and fro as her male friend repeatedly looked up at the ceiling, closing his eyes and mouthing the words to every song as if he were praying. Everyone danced as if no one was watching. The energy was palpable.

Undoubtedly, one of Electric Six’s unique characteristics is the voice of the lead singer, Dick Valentine certain songs feature his deep, gravelly tones, while at other times, he produces a high falsetto. “Down at McDonnelzzz,” which the band played to the thrill of the crowd, incorporates both versions.  Although Dick stood center stage, all members of the band were truly essential to creating the explosive atmosphere on the ship that night. The synths, played by Tait Nucleus? (the question mark is part of his name), lent an interesting complexity of sound to the songs, while The Colonel and Johnny Na$hinal’s intense performances on their guitars had the audience cheering madly. Percussion World played the drums so hard his face was slightly bloodied after the set was over, and Smorgasbord rocked out on the bass.

Bottom line: If Electric Six comes to a town near you, particularly if they are on a boat, go and see them. A musical experience like the one you’ll have at their show is a rare one, indeed.