From Detroit, Michigan, USA, Electric Six have performed under various names since their inception as the Wildbunch (a moniker the band still prefer) in 1996.
Formed by Jackson Pounder (vocals) and Martin M (drums), the Wildbunch made their recording debut on the Uchu Cult label with the 7-inch single "I Lost Control (Of My Rock & Roll)', a frenetic blend of garage rock and new wave styles that enjoyed instant acclaim on the resurgent Detroit rock scene. Adding Disco (bass), Mojo Frezzato (guitar), Rock & Roll Indian (guitar) and Blacklips Hoffman (keyboards) to the line-up, the Wildbunch relocated to the Flying Bomb label for 1997"s "The Ballade Of MC Sucka DJ", a witty send-up of fake white rappers.
Despite building up a fearsome live reputation on the local scene, the band remained quiet on the recording front for the next few years. They returned to the studio in 2001 employing a set of new pseudonyms, namely Dick Valentine (vocals), M. Cougar Mellencamp (drums), Rock & Roll Indian (guitar), Dr. Blacklip Hoffman (keyboards), Frank Lloyd Bonnaventure (bass), and Surge Joebot (guitar).
The band's new musical direction, a heady fusion of disco and rock, was beginning to attract a larger audience, and they enjoyed an underground hit in Europe when the hypnotic "Danger! High Voltage" was featured on Soulwax's excellent 2 Many DJ's mix album. Forced to adopt the Electric Six moniker for legal reasons, the band signed a new recording contract with the UK independent label XL Recordings.
"Danger! High Voltage" enjoyed great crossover success in Europe, and in January 2003 debuted at number 2 in the UK singles chart. "Gay Bar" followed its predecessor into the UK Top 10 and preceded the release of the band's debut album, Fire.
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