Aside from being a piece of both rock ‘n’ roll and socialhistory, MC5 was a pretty good band. And this, more than anything,the most important part of their legend, is what will be celebratedat this Friday’s star-studded extravaganza at the Roseland. Asidefrom having original members Wayne Kramer, Michael Davis, andDennis Thompson, luminaries such as Mark Arm and the washed-up EvanDando will be shouldering vocal duties at the show. The proto-punklegends and social activists have not played together since late1972 when internal conflict caused the five to split. Since thattime, however, their raw, crude sound � la Blue Cheer, TheSeeds and other fuzz-frenzied ’60s garage legends mixed with thespirit of total youth revolution have made a lasting mark on rockmusic. Although they’re definitely not The Stooges, and sometimescan deliver more misses than hits, MC5 can kick out the jams wellenough to justify their legend and chances are they’ve picked up afew tricks since they parted ways so long ago. So, while Iggy mayundisputedly occupy the throne of Detroit proto-punk raw power, MC5embodied a spirit of revolution ‘n’ rock freedom that can’t bediscounted. Go see them. It’s a chance you’ll regret passingup.
Old and improved! Portland meet the MC5
