This past February marks 53 years since the release of the revolutionary debut album Kick Out The Jams by founding fathers of proto-punk, MC5. As someone who loathes the censorship of free speech and finds great value in authenticity & cherishing the foundations of emerging music scenes, I cannot recommend MC5 enough. This album is a must-listen for those seeking a better understanding of the hard rock-to-punk transition of the late 1960s and early 1970s, as well as those simply searching to ignite a revolution against our socially unjust society.
Lead guitarist and backup vocalist for the band, Wayne Kramer, describes the lasting impact of the album to listeners–and himself–claiming “the fact that this album has meant so much to so many over these decades and continents matters a great deal to me” (MC50th.com). Formed in the modest town of Lincoln Park, Maryland, in 1963, MC5 exploded their way into the hard rock and proto-punk scenes. The pioneering lineup consisted of vocalist Rob Tyner, guitarist Fred “Sonic” Smith (famously wed to fellow rock musician and poet Patti Smith), bassist Michael Davis, drummer Dennis Thompson, and the aforementioned Wayne Kramer.
With a roster full of young multi-instrumentalists and fiery passions for anti-establishment fueling them, the band appeared to have a successful and impactful future ahead of them. In fact, this promising future landed MC5 a January 1969 cover appearance in Rolling Stone Magazine, featuring a story written by Eric Ehrmann, just one month before their debut album was released. Bursting with hits like “Ramblin’ Rose,” “Come Together,” and title track “Kick Out The Jams,” the record caught the attention of many listeners who appreciated their intransigent lyrics and deafeningly loud sound.
While the angsty youth of the late 60s heavily related to the forceful words and aggressive sound, the music industry and its infamous critics had other takes on this powerhouse of an album. “America’s greatest rock critic”, Lester Bangs hailed the album “ridiculous, overbearing, [and] pretentious,” in his 1969 Rolling Stone Magazine album review. Bangs extended this statement, adding that “maybe that’s the idea, isn’t it?” (Rolling Stone).
Notoriously, Bangs wasn’t looking to sugarcoat the album; however, neither was Elektra Records. Vocalist Rob Tyner’s opening shouts of “And right now… right now… right now it’s time to… kick out the jams, motherfuckers!” profusely offended Elektra executives, who attempted to replace the cuss word with “brothers and sisters.” Completely opposed to the idea, MC5’s manager, John Sinclair, shut it down immediately. Kick Out The Jams sparked various controversies regarding the censorship of media and free speech–a monster we frequently battle with today.
Many record stores pulled the album, soon after the original pressings were released–cuss words and all. Instead, they put forward a fixed (censored) album cover, with uncensored audio. Popular Detroit department store, Hudson’s, refused to carry the album altogether, prompting tensions between the band and said retail carrier.
In response to these agitations, the band purchased a full-page ad, which pictured MC5 vocalist Rob Tyner, alongside the Elektra Records logo, and the phrase “Fuck Hudson’s”. MC5 fearlessly embraced their authenticity, albeit damaging to their careers. A true testament to punk, MC5’s advertising stunt successfully pissed people off. So many people, in fact, that Elektra ended up dropping them from their label. In the end, Kick Out The Jams executed what the band precisely intended.
The record is profane, controversial, and debriefs the music industry again and again. Statistically, Kick Out The Jams peaked at number 30 on the Billboard albums chart, while reaching number 37 in Canada. In 2020, the album even sat at number 349 in Rolling Stone’s famous “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” list (Rolling Stone).
Once again, shoved in the face of rock’s biggest & baddest critic, MC5 got through to Lester Bangs' thick skull. In his essay highlighting English garage-rock band, The Troggs, Bangs noted that “Kick Out the Jams has been my favorite album or at least one of the two or three most played for about three months now” (The Sheila Variations).
If you possess even the slightest appreciation for the foundation of punk music, or you want to shove it to the patriarchy as much as I do, you must listen to this album. Whether you’re spinning a record or streaming on Spotify, just turn it ON, turn it UP, and kick out the jams, MOTHERFUCKER!
Peace,
Clare 🧿
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