On August 1, 2024, the second track from the new MC5 album "Heavy Lifting" titled "Can’t Be Found" was released.
You can listen to the track here: https://youtu.be/hzCjHwl1w1I
MC5 founding member Wayne Kramer, original MC5 drummer Dennis Thompson, and Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid deliver a distinctive rock 'n' roll anthem that paves the way for one of the most exciting rock albums of 2024.
Under the leadership of founding member Wayne Kramer and produced with the icon Bob Ezrin (Lou Reed, Alice Cooper, Kiss), the new album features original MC5 drummer Dennis 'Machine Gun' Thompson on two tracks, as well as guests like Slash, Tom Morello, William DuVall (Alice in Chains), Vernon Reid (Living Colour), Don Was, and Tim McIlrath (Rise Against).
Emerging from the rough streets of Detroit in the mid-60s, MC5 revolutionized rock 'n' roll with their fiery blend of garage rock, blues, soul, free jazz, and proto-punk. Notorious for their rebellious live performances and a radical leftist stance, their status as pioneers of punk and protest rock has inspired many musicians like the Ramones, The Clash, Rage Against The Machine, The White Stripes, Slash, and countless others, continuing to shape the sound of punk and alternative rock for future generations.
earMUSIC will release the first new music from MC5 in over 50 years (after "High Time" from 1971) with the album HEAVY LIFTING on October 18 – one day before the band's induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2024, where they will receive the "Musical Excellence Award." HEAVY LIFTING features guitar sounds and vocals from MC5 founding member Wayne Kramer, who, along with singer and songwriter Brad Brooks from Oakland, wrote 12 of the 13 songs on the album. Productive for five decades, Kramer was the last active member of MC5. He passed away unexpectedly in February, followed by the death of drummer Dennis 'Machine Gun' Thompson in May.
In an interview with UNCUT in November 2023, Kramer spoke about the album, stating: "Live long and stay creative. That’s my attitude. And this album picks up where the last MC5 album 'High Time' left off. I think it’s an artist’s responsibility to reflect the times they live through. And I believe we’ve made an album that resonates with today’s times and the challenges we face, conveying a positive message."
HEAVY LIFTING was recorded with iconic producer Bob Ezrin (Lou Reed, Alice Cooper, KISS) and features an all-star lineup of Kramer’s friends and musical colleagues, including Slash, Tom Morello, William DuVall (Alice in Chains), Vernon Reid (Living Colour), Don Was, and Tim McIlrath (Rise Against). This bridges the gap between generations of musicians inspired by MC5’s fearless approach to music and activism. The range of MC5’s influence can be heard from all the musicians on the album, including Vicki Randle (Aretha Franklin), Stevie Salas (Parliament Funkadelic, Rod Stewart), Abe Laboriel Jr. (Paul McCartney), Winston Watson Jr. (Bob Dylan), and Joe Berry (M83). Much more than just a trip down memory lane, HEAVY LIFTING is a testament that the spirit of punk lives on.
"It’s very heavy," Ezrin reports about HEAVY LIFTING. "It has a revolutionary message, but also a good sense of humor. There’s a bit of heavy metal. There’s quite a bit of funk. It’s a guitar album, left, right, and center. Most of the time, it’s just a wall of guitars, and mostly driven by Wayne and his ethos. It’s a snapshot of a ‘guitar man’ at the height of his powers. We all feel responsible for making sure his work is heard and celebrated. We poured our hearts into this project."
In addition to the 13-track album, a bonus disc with 2 CDs / 2 LPs will be released, featuring previously unreleased live recordings from the MC50 tour in 2018, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of MC5’s acclaimed debut album from 1969, Kick Out the Jams, which includes punk anthems like "Kick Out the Jams" and "Ramblin' Rose." Alongside Kramer, the MC50 live band features Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil, Fugazi drummer Brendan Canty, Faith No More bassist Billy Gould, and frontman Marcus Durant (Zen Guerrilla), with a guest appearance by Mark Arm (Mudhoney).
HEAVY LIFTING is available for pre-order on CD, vinyl, and digital download, in addition to the bonus 2CD and bonus 2LP.
MC5 - HEAVY LIFTING CD/Vinyl Track List:
Heavy Lifting (feat. Tom Morello)
Barbarians At The Gate
Change, No Change
The Edge Of The Switchblade (feat. William Duvall & Slash)
Black Boots (feat. Tim McIIrath)
I Am The Fun (The Phoney)
Twenty-Five Miles
Because Of Your Car
Boys Who Play With Matches
Blind Eye (feat. Dennis Thompson)
Can’t Be Found (feat. Vernon Reid & Dennis Thompson)
Blessed Release
Hit It Hard (feat. Joe Berry)
MC5 - HEAVY LIFTING Bonus CD/Vinyl Track List:
1. Ramblin' Rose
2. Kick Out The Jams
3. Come Together
4. Motor City Is Burning
5. Borderline
6. Gotta Keep Movin'
7. Future/Now
8. Poison
9. Shakin' Street
10. Sister Anne
