MC5's Wayne Kramer. Photo by Jim Newberry.
Wayne Kramer has brought MC5 back from the dead several times since the seminal punk group first disbanded in 1972. In the aughts, it seemed they'd finally found a rhythm with "Handsome" Dick Manitoba — lead singer of fellow proto-punk outfit The Dictators — as their frontman, but that run ended with bassist Michael Davis' 2012 death. Still, Kramer reincarnated his lifelong project for a 2018 tour with an all-new lineup, and now, it's happening again. MC5 2022 will be fronted by Pollo Elastico singer Brad Brooks, with Jane's Addiction's Stephen Perkins on drums, Vicki Randle (of Mavis Staples' band) on bass, and ex-Bowie guitarist Stevie Salas backing up Kramer, who'll wield the lead axe yet again. This time, though, the performances come in advance of a new, yet-to-be-named studio album, MC5's first since their 1971 sophomore record, High Time, and their subsequent dissolution.
Along with the tour and album announcements, Kramer has shared two videos: One is a teaser for "Heavy Lifting," a high-octane barn-burner featuring Tom Morello, Don Was, Abe Laboriel Jr., and MC5's new frontman, Brad Brooks. The track will be the released as the record's lead single along with a B-side titled "Edge of the Switchblade." The second video finds Kramer sitting on an MC5 road case, scratching out a blues riff on a Fender Jaguar as he discusses details of the new project. "I've been thinking, it's been a long time since there's been any new MC5 music, and I've been busy writing and recording a new album produced by the great Bob Ezra," he says. "And we'll take it to the streets, 'cause I feel like we are all MC5."
Watch both clips and view MC5's May 2022 tour dates below.
MC5's "The Heavy Lifting Tour"
5/5 – Detroit, MI @ El Club
5/6 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Thunderbird
5/7 – Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts
5/8 – Brooklyn, NY @ Warsaw
5/12 – Sacramento, CA @ Harlow’s
5/13 – San Francisco, CA @ Bimbo’s 365 Club
5/14 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Roxy Theatre
5/15 – San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar