The Face, 11/02

Photography: KT Auleta Words: Alex Rayner

The Road to Perjury (l-r) M, Surge Joebot, The Rock 'n' Roll Indian, Dick Valentine, Disco

"We started the band when I dropped out of TV weatherman school," says Electric 6's singer Dick Valentine -- the first in a series of lies, make believe and half-truths -- "I still regret not becoming a television meteorologist."

Later, guitarist Surge Joebot claims a wolf guards their studio in Downtown Detroit: "He's really scary. We throw rocks at him." Fellow band member M is apparently into wearing women's clothing -- "though nothing obviously feminine."

One thing that's for certain, however, is that this delusional MIchigan rock band will soon release 'Danger! High Voltage', the feel-good hit of the winter. Last heard on Soulwax's 2 Many DJ's mix album, this unhinged mix of maddening guitar refrain and a chorus yelped courtesy of John S. O'Leary was, according to the Electric 6, composed almost entirely by mistake. "That main riff," claims Surge, "was stuck in this delay pedal that broke back in 1992. It didn't get four-tracked until '94 and we properly recorded it in '99."

But a good tune will always out, and the record will be released in early 2003 -- preceded by a six-date tour of Britain. "It's great," says Dick. "I mean, I still regret the whole weatherman thing, but it was too competitive. There was too much back-stabbing."

"Which is what's great about the US recording industry [is that there's none of that going on]," concurs Surge.

Electric 6: you don't have to be mad to rock around here, but it helps.