It's like Picasso saying, "Ahhh, fuck it, I'm sick of doing these blue paintings, let's do something different!"
You have to. Like Chairman Mao said, "Continuous Revolution."

Mick Farren (From the interview with Ken Shimamoto)

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I wonder how many of the Japanese Five/Kramer fans check Wayne Kramer's "Message Board" in his official website.

An interesting (and perhaps very essential) argument was thrown in there recently. It started as someone in the name of "Dennis Tomich" (might be Dennis Thompson as it's his real name) reproached Wayne for his not having the balls he once has had in the Grande days. The guy criticized Wayne's recent solo works as trashy, urging him to go back to the old days getting "the kick ass back".

Then, someone immediately stood up for Wayne and , with a crispy comment, sank the criticism down.

Following this, another person, who seems to be one of the old fans since the '60s, swore at the Wayne's defender as if he who hadn't seen the MC5 live wasn't qualified as a fan and that he (the defender) didn't even know what he was talking about, adding he sounded like "Ben Edmonds".

Against this the upholder of Wayne posted a second remark . . .

The reason for my raising this issue here is, I suspect some of the Japanese MC5/Kramer fans share the same problem, i.e., how they can make adjustment between the Five and the contemporary Wayne, who clearly expresses "I'm actually not the same person that I was then" (the Kramer Report 02/02). With this remark, though, wouldn't those who relate to the awesome wild energy of the MC5 be left behind? How could the fans who are fascinated with the Five's enormous wall of metal sound face, say, the spoken word short piece, "So Long, Hank"? The explicit, sharp comment made by the defender may provide an answer, I thought, and posted a message to email me.

The person proved to be an American man named Jason Dimitri Monroe, who called himself a "lyric man" and signed "Bro. Wayne Partisan". He seemed to be a little taken aback by the impact of his post, but was kind enough to let me put his comments here. Thank you so much, Jason.

Posted by Jason D. Monroe
May 7, 2002
Reprinted by permission of the author

Obviously at this moment in time the folks with access to mass media got no ideas of their own cos they were hired for their teeth and abs which is why they have to keep going back and recycling yesterdays styles, time and time again - hence, at the drive in/street walkin cheetahs, etc etc. these cats can't create anything compelling of their own.

the motor city five were the greatest when they were on, but those of us who listen to music for a melody or message or consolation as well as a good beat and you can dance to it ... for a song, (not just macho posturing and guitar wankery) actually sometimes even prefer bro wayne's solo stuff invested with hard won and unflinching guts, truth, and soul to his testosterone fuelled sixties jazz imporovisations. if yer assessing mister kramer's solo wk based on the don was production that reeked of glossy walk the dinosaur whiteboy neo funk, well, the songs themselves were still great -- even if the production had an unfortunate expiration date, and i strongly encourage you to keep listening to his recent material. i maintain most of it stands proudly next to 'shakin street' or 'looking at you'. and listen to the man's motherfucking lyrics, willya? god bless 'im, amen, ramalama fa fa fa.

Stop livin' in the past, Wayne's as vital and alive NOW than he ever was. Take some inspiration from the man and stop clinging to the Grande Ballroom - it's not to late for YOU to getcher asskick back, brother - and don't worry bout Wayne Kramer's...

(P.S. The city streets are strewn with the corpses of boys who loved negative girls.)





Posted by Jason D. Monroe
May 9, 2002
Reprinted by permission of the author

i dunno who ben edmonds is and no i never saw the five live as i was not born until 69, but i am a lifelong fan of their records, have seen video and enthusiastically "testify" to their greatness, all i'm asserting is that to me,the voice of experience and stamina and maturity as conveyed in mister kramers current stuff is more inspiring and consoling and easily as valid as "high school" or "black to comm". just one american's opininon, alrite?

i was just stickin' up for wayne kramer cos i personally love his solo works (with mild exception to some of the studio wizardry i alluded to in my previous post) and suspect alot of these old guys that spew all that nonesense about how he ain't as cool as he was back whenever ain't really giving his recent material a fair listen.song for song, his solo work all stands up. and when somebody writes letters to their musical idols about losing their mojo or whatever, my supician is it's actually THEM who ain't feeling as present and alive and aflame and productive as maybe they could be.people who aren't in the process of proactively becomin, progressing, evolving get really bitter towards others who move on without them. as dylan sez, "he not busy being born is busy dying".

i've seen wayne live with a two piece backup band effortlessly conjure forth more fire than two dozen current tough guy punk impersonator or swedish metal or rapmetal bands and put across more emotion and soul power than pretty much anybody i've ever seen live, so you know ---

sorry i wasn't born back when you guys had long hair at the grande ballroom. that makes me no less of a fan. happy to stir the pot though...til victory....

thedon'tknowwhathe'stalkin''boutguy...

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