Wayne Kramer, the original guitarist and songwriter of the iconic Detroit-based hard rock/proto-punk band MC5, is making sure the upcoming MC50 tour will be anything but a borefest.

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the release of the hard-hitting album Kick Out the Jams, Kramer is bringing together a number of high-octane rock artists to create a super-group called MC50. The latest addition to the group comes in the form of Faith No More’s bassist Billie Gould. Gould joins the likes of Brendan Canty (Fugazi) on drums, Marcus Durrant (Zen Guerilla) on vocals and harmonica and Soundgarden’s lead guitarist Kim Thayil. Former Hanoi Rocks frontman, Michael Monroe, will be bringing a touch of glam-punk to the scene as well.

Staying true to the riotous nature of MC5 – the band was renowned for being outspoken against the Vietnam War in the 60s – Kramer makes it clear that the voice and message of MC5 is now more relevant than ever. “The message of the MC5 has always been the sense of possibilities: a new music, a new politics, a new lifestyle,” Kramer says. “Today, there is a corrupt regime in power, an endless war thousands of miles away, uncontrollable violence wracking my country — it’s becoming less and less clear if we’re talking about 1968 or 2018.”

Now, 50 years later, MC50 intends to stay true to the legacy of MC5, while still bringing a fresh and current energy to the music. “This band will rip your head off. It’s real, raw, sweaty, total energy rock and roll, like a bunch of 40-to-70-year-old punks on a meth power trip,” Kramer explains. “I’m not interested in a note-for-note reproduction of a record you’ve known your entire life. The world has lived with these songs burned in amber for half a century, so we’re going for an energy blast to end all. Let’s bring the monster back to life with supremely talented musicians who will interpret it in their own unique ways.”  

Despite their short-lived fame, MC5 is deemed by many today as one of the most influential hard-rock bands of their time. With just three albums to their name, the group managed to grab the hearts and minds of an entire generation – and they haven’t loosened their grip. With many die-hard fans still referring to Kick Out the Jams as one of the albums that had a lasting impact on their lives. “People come up to me all the time and say, ‘Brother Wayne, Kick Out the Jams changed my life,’” Kramer once said. “I usually tell them: ‘I’m sorry, I can’t change it back.’”

For more info on where you can catch MC50s Kick Out the Jams: The 50th Anniversary Tour, you can check out Tickemaster.com.

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