MC5

The MC5 (Motor City Five) is an American hard rock band formed in Lincoln Park, Michigan in 1964 and was active until 1972. They then reformed in 2003 and occasionally perform live. Their music also includes blues-rock, psychedelic rock, rock and roll and garage rock. "Crystallizing the counterculture movement at its most volatile and threatening," their far left political ties and anti-establishment lyrics and music would serve as a prototype for later punk rock musicians.

The band consisted of Wayne Kramer and Fred "Sonic" Smith (guitars) Michael Davis (bass), Rob Tyner (vocals), and Dennis Thompson (drums).

The MC5 had a promising beginning which earned them a cover appearance on Rolling Stone magazine in 1968 even before their debut album was recorded. They developed a reputation for energetic live performances, one of which was recorded as the critically acclaimed Kick Out The Jams. Their career was ultimately short-lived, though within just a few years of their dissolution, the MC5 were often cited as one of the most important American hard rock groups of their era: their three albums are regarded as classics. Their song "Kick Out the Jams" is widely covered.

MC5
Formed: 1963, Detroit, MI, United States
Disbanded: 1972
Members: Wayne Kramer (guitar), Michael Davis (bass), Rob Tyner (vocals), Dennis Thompson (drums), Fred "Sonic" Smith (guitar)
Related Artists: Ascension, Dodge Main, Gang War, Mad for the Racket, New Race, Patti Smith, Sonic's Rendezvous Band, Was (Not Was)
Also Known As: The Motor City 5
Genres: Proto-Punk, Garage Rock, Hard Rock, Rock

Album:
1969 Kick Out the Jams [Gatefold], [Live] Vinyl LP Elektra EKS 74042
1970 Back in the USA Vinyl LP Atlantic SD 8247
1971 High Time Vinyl LP Atlantic SD 8285
2004 A Tribute to Jet CD
2007 Live at the Grande Ballroom 1968 CD Get Back GET139
2007 Live at the Saginaw Civic Centre 1st Jan 1970 CD Get Back GET140
2007 I Can Only Give You Everything [Archival], [CD Sized Album Replica] CD Get Back GET161
EP:
1995 Ice Pick Slim 10" Vinyl
1995 Looking at You / Borderline [Bonus Tracks], [Reissue] 10" Vinyl NER3005/10
1995 The American Ruse 10" Vinyl
Power Trip [33 rpm] 10" Vinyl Alive Alive 0005/10
Single:
1966 I Can Only Give You Everything / I Just Don't Know 7" Vinyl AMG AMG 1001
1968 Looking at You / Borderline
1969 Looking at You / Tonight
1977 Borderline / Looking at You 7" Vinyl Skydog M 0011998
Looking at You / Borderline 7" Vinyl NER 3012
1969 Tonight / Looking at You 7" Vinyl Atlantic ATL 70.407
1969 Kick Out the Jams / Motor City Is Burning 7" Vinyl Elektra EKSN 45056
1969 Kick Out the Jams / Motor City Is Burning 7" Vinyl Elektra INT.80175
1969 Kick Out the Jams / Motor City Is Burning 7" Vinyl Vedette VRN 34103
1969 Kick Out the Jams / Motor City Is Burning 7" Vinyl Metronome J 27019
1969 Kick Out the Jams / Motor City Is Burning 7" Vinyl Elektra 45648
2009 Kick Out the Jams / Motor City Is Burning [45 rpm], [Exclusive], [Limited Edition], [Reissue], [Remastered] 7" Vinyl Elektra EK7 45648
1970 Shakin' Street / The American Ruse