#349 MC5, 'Kick Out the Jams' (1969)

Previously #294

This album is an incredibly important album in rock music. It played as a forebear to punk rock; from the sound to the attitude. ‘Kick Out The Jams’ is MC5’s debut album. Incidentally, MC5 stands for Motor City Five. The Motor City, aka Detroit, also lent its nickname to Motown Records. The sound of Motown vs the sound of MC5 really is a tale of two cities. Back to this album – it was recorded live at Grande Ballroom in Detroit over two nights on 30 and 31 October 1968. Originally, when introducing the title track, vocalist, Rob Tyner screeched "And right now... right now... right now it's time to... kick out the jams, motherfuckers!" Elektra Records freaked out and censored the track but “kick out the jams, motherfuckers!” was still printed on the inside cover. Now defunct department store, Hudson’s, refused to sell the album which led the band to take out a full page ad simply with a picture of Tyner, the words “Fuck Hudson’s” and the Elektra logo. Hudson’s refused to sell any albums by Elektra following this, so to placate them, MC5 were dropped. What an entrance! Punk before punk was a thing.

The album is loud and raw. Distorted guitars, huge energy from the crowd. The recording sounds a bit flat, but to be honest, it adds to aesthetic of the album. Anything too polished would be doing these recordings a disservice. ‘Kick Out The Jams’ has been covered by heaps of artists, most notably Rage Against The Machine on their covers album, ‘Renegades.’ The Presidents Of The United States Of America gave it a go too, and Jeff Buckley used to perform it live. Pearl Jam have performed it. To be honest, everyone who is anyone would have given it a go at some stage in their careers. The song was a blueprint for future rockers.

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