Detroit funk-rock to set the disco on fire.

You know that song? The one that screams, “Danger, danger! High Voltage!” over funky bass and sweaty guitars, which then turns into a satisfyingly chaotic metal/disco car crash? Well Electric Six are the band that somehow created it. Previously called The Wildbunch, the six-piece from Detroit were brought to wider attention when the song was spliced on Soulwax's 2002 cut-up album 2 Many DJs.

After months of club play and airtime on discerning radio stations, the tune is finally getting the release it deserves. It’s sure to be a hit, and gravel-voiced guitarist Surge Joebot is keen to point out that there's more where that came from. “High Voltage! was just a throwaway thing that had been kicking around for years. I’m pretty confident about the quality of the follow-up stuff that we’ve got, too. But whatever happens after this, I'm fine with it.”

Such assured words are probably the result of the band enjoying a reasonably solid, loyal fan base back in Detroit for over three years. The sudden flurry of attention from this side of the pond has caught them more than a little unawares. “It’s bizarre because we couldn’t be any more removed from all that. We’re in Detroit, our lives are fairly removed from all the attention until we’re over there. We were in England at the end of October and it was great. The crowds were great.”

Single aside, E6's brand of energetic, brash rock disco should go down well with those who like a little humour and (whisper it) brass instrumentation with their funky punk. High Voltage! may well be the only song you hear this year that successfully pulls off a saxophone solo. “We just put in the sax to make the track more urban,” explains Surge. “It's like when you watch TV, as soon as you hear the sax and you see the streets then you know, ok, we’re in the city now. Like Taxi Driver.”

Listen closely to High Voltage! and you should also be able to hear the dulcet screaming of hometown buddy Jack White from the White Stripes, who is credited as John S O'Leary by the band. While there are no plans for Leary to join the band onstage at their forthcoming gigs, it’s clear that E6 are going to blow the roof off regardless. It’s time to plug in. Nadia Shireen 02 January 03

Danger! High Voltage the single, released 06 January 03.

useful link: www.electricsix.com