Electric Eels

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The Electric Eels (German eels , literally Electric eels ) were a proto-punk band from Cleveland , Ohio , which was from 1972 to 1975.

history

John D Morton (guitar) formed the Electric Eels with Dave E McManus (vocals, clarinet) and Brian McMahon (guitar) after attending a performance by Captain Beefheart . They found the opening act “Left End” so bad that they thought they could do better. The band did not have a bass player and the drummers changed frequently. Paul Marotta (guitar, keyboard) replaced McMahon from late 1973 to early 1975. Marotta also took care of the group's recordings.

The Electric Eels made five appearances (Allmusic speaks of six); all of them were marked by outbreaks of violence between the musicians or against the audience and some led to police operations. Morton broke his handcuffed hand in a fight with the police, whereupon he played the guitar with a wrench tied to its rail the next time he performed. Their clothes were decorated with rat traps and safety pins.

The music was simple and loud, at concerts supported by the noise of lawn mowers or a boulder that Morton used to hit tin plates. The existing recordings were made during the practice sessions and were only released after the band had ended.

Discography

Albums
  • 1989: Having a Philosophical Investigation with the Electric Eels (LP, Tinnitus 191304)
  • 1991: God Says Fuck You (CD, Homestead HMS173)
  • 1998: Those Were Different Times (CD, Scat 45) - compilation with various bands
  • 1998: The Beast 999 Presents the Electric Eels in Their Organic Majesty's Request (CD, Overground)
  • 2001: the eyeball of hell (double LP / CD, Scat)
Singles
  • 1978: Cyclotron / Agitated (Rough Trade RT008)
  • 1981: Spin Age Blasters / Bunnies (Mustard 107)

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. a b c History of the Electric Eels on Scatrecords.com (English)
  2. a b Allmusic, see web links
  3. Discography of the Electric Eels on Scatrecords.com (English)