After the band’s hit album, Fire, which included their biggest hits, Gay Bar and Danger! High Voltage, Electric Six seemed to me to fizzle into obscurity in terms of the mainstream. It’s been a long 20 years, but over this time, with various lineup changes, they are still going strong. And with a fresh new group behind their only original member, frontman Dick Valentine, the band hit the road for a flurry of UK dates, including tonight at Chinnery’s in Southend, Essex.
Electric Six – Enjoyable Listens
Chinnery’s, Southend – 28 June 2023
Words and Photography: Lawrence Potter
Enjoyable Listens
Our evening opener, Enjoyable Listens, heads up to the stage to start the night. The band comprises vocalist Luke Duffett and Jamie Savage on bass duties. The duo’s music takes us right back to the ’80s, with a mellow backing track over the top of Duffett’s stunning vocals.
There is dark humour sprinkled throughout, whether it be pointing to individual members of the crowd every time he says “you” or how, before every song, he would say, “Jamie, play the track.” They were seemingly mocking the fact they had a backing track playing which I thought was comedy gold in itself.
As thoroughly enjoyable as the humour was, let that not take anything away from the sheer musical talent on board. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this act before the night started, but all I can say is it was indeed an enjoyable listen. Pun intended.
Electric Six
After the usual taking down of the previous band’s equipment and setup for the next, our headliner of the evening, Electric Six, hit the stage. The group start with the song Bride Of The Devil, which serves as a perfect opener as the crowd goes mad.
It’s an absolute blast from the past, and after all these years, it’s good to see this band back on the road and still making music.
Frontman Dick Valentine, even after all these years, sounds absolutely on point and doesn’t miss a step. Maybe he has slowed down a bit over time from that guy we remember running around and going absolutely nuts on stage, but nonetheless, the band still bring plenty of energy to the table and are a class act all round!
And what would an Electric Six show be without Gay Bar? Well, not only do they give us that, but also Gay Bar Part 2 straight after. Shortly after that, the indistinguishable intro to the song Danger! High Voltage plays and yet again were hit with what seems like an atom bomb of nostalgia.
It was a pleasure seeing a band that, honestly, I never thought I would get the chance to. But boy, am I glad I did. The evening ends with the song, Dance Commander, and that’s a wrap on this one.
