THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Emerging from the gritty streets of Detroit in the mid-’60s, MC5 revolutionized rock ’n’ roll with their blistering fusion of garage-rock, blues, soul, free jazz and proto-punk. Infamous for incendiary live performances and a radical left-wing stance, their status as pioneers of punk and protest rock inspired The Ramones, The Clash, Rage Against The Machine, The White Stripes and countless others — and continues to shape the sound of punk and rock.
Heavy Lifting is the first new album from MC5 in more than 50 years (following 1971’s High Time) — and arrives one day before the band receive a Musical Excellence Award from the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame. The album features guitar and vocals by founding member Wayne Kramer, who also co-wrote 12 of the album’s 13 songs with Oakland singer-songwriter Brad Brooks. Prolific for five decades, Kramer was the last remaining active member of MC5. He passed away suddenly in February, followed by the death of drummer Dennis ‘Machine Gun’ Thompson in May. Heavy Lifting features Thompson’s final studio recordings.
In November 2023, Kramer discussed the album and said: “Live long and stay creative is my attitude. This album continues from where High Time left off, in that I think it’s an artist’s responsibility to reflect the times they’re going through. We made an album that is in sync with the challenges we’re facing today, and that carries a positive message.”
Heavy Lifting was recorded with iconic producer Bob Ezrin (Lou Reed, Alice Cooper, KISS) and features an all-star lineup of friends and musical colleagues including Slash, Tom Morello, William DuVall (Alice in Chains), Vernon Reid (Living Colour), Don Was and Tim McIlrath (Rise Against), allowing for a collaborative effort that bridges the gap between generations. The breadth of MC5’s impact can be heard by all the album’s players, including Vicki Randle (Aretha Franklin), Stevie Salas (Parliament Funkadelic, Rod Stewart), Abe Laboriel Jr. (Paul McCartney), Winston Watson Jr. (Bob Dylan), and Joe Berry (M83). Far more than a trip down memory lane, Heavy Lifting is a resounding affirmation that the spirit of punk endures.”
