Nothing Wrong With Liking A Flashy Man: An Interview With Dick Valentine

Published on January 30th, 2009 in: Current Faves, Interviews, Issues, Music |

Interviewed by Christian Lipski

From the bouncy warning “Danger! High Voltage!”, through the metallic invitation to a “Gay Bar,” to the recent clarinet-laden declaration, “It’s Showtime,” Electric Six has been a band you can count on for high-energy music in a patchwork quilt of styles. Their new album, Flashy, is more of the same only in the sense that it’s utterly rocking. Lead singer Dick Valentine and band have put together a new collection of songs that span the gamut from the upstroke ska of “Your Heat Is Rising” to the electronic vocoder of “Making Progress.” Valentine took time out from the recording of E6’s new CD to talk with Popshifter‘s Christan Lipski about carbon footprints, the music industry, and the worst places in America.
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Electric Six, Flashy

Published on November 29th, 2008 in: Current Faves, Issues, Music, Music Reviews, Reviews |

By Christian Lipski

I remember when Electric Six (E6) was explained to others as “that band that did the Gay Bar song for that video with the kittens.” Now, of course, they’re “that band that did the Gay Bar song for that video with the kittens which you may not remember.” This is through no fault of their own, of course; E6 are hilarious and fun and at times amazing, but their label certainly doesn’t have the sheer cash-power to compete with the Top 40 acts. Thanks to the Internet, though, they’re well-known and loved by hipsters, geeks, and perverts the world over.

flashy e6
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If Money Talks Then He’s a Mime: Dick Valentine

Published on May 30th, 2008 in: Current Faves, Issues, Music, Reviews |

Towne Lounge, Portland OR
April 5, 2008

By Christian Lipski

Dick’s band, Electric Six, is known for its loud-rocking electronic dance style, so when I heard that the lead singer was going to be appearing as a secret special guest in a solo acoustic show, I had to go. Plus the show was five dollars for four bands.
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