Electric Eels (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1972 in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Founder | John D Morton |
| Defunct | 1975 |
| Headquarters | Cleveland, Ohio , United States |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
The Electric Eels—stylized in lowercase as a tribute to E. E. Cummings—were an American rock group active between 1972 and 1975, established by John D Morton in Cleveland, Ohio. Despite performing publicly on just five occasions, they earned a local reputation for their intense, confrontational shows that frequently incited violence and attracted police involvement. Their musical style was a jarring fusion of raw garage rock and free jazz. Notably, Dave "E" McManus’s vocal delivery influenced Stiv Bators of The Dead Boys. The band devoted considerable time to rehearsals and recorded tracks that were released after their breakup.
Background
The original lineup featured Morton on guitar, Dave "E" McManus handling vocals and clarinet, and Brian McMahon on guitar; all three were graduates of Lakewood High School in Lakewood, Ohio. Motivated by dissatisfaction with a local concert and inspired by free jazz pioneers such as Ornette Coleman and Sun Ra, the group aimed to craft a distinctive sound merging noise with art punk sensibilities. Early in their formation, they connected with Peter Laughner of Rocket from the Tombs.
At first, the Electric Eels did not have a drummer or experienced musicians, incorporating unusual instruments like sheet metal struck with sledgehammers, anvils, and even a power lawnmower into their performances. This approach led to their act being described as "art terrorism." They faced difficulty booking shows in Cleveland and later Columbus, with promoters often ending their sets prematurely due to the disorderly nature of their performances. Their first concert concluded with arrests for disorderly conduct; during the incident, Morton suffered a broken hand resisting arrest but continued playing using a makeshift splint.
Morton’s unpredictable temperament frequently sparked tensions within the band. By late 1973, McMahon departed and was succeeded by Paul Marotta, an accomplished guitarist and keyboardist also associated with Mirrors. While drummers cycled through the lineup, the band never added a bassist. Marotta left early in 1975; McMahon briefly returned while Marotta recorded sessions that form the bulk of posthumous releases, including the 1978 Rough Trade single "Agitated" b/w "Cyclotron," which nods to Elton John’s glam rock style.
The group deliberately incorporated provocative Nazi symbolism and excerpts from racist texts into their lyrics as shock tactics influenced by figures like William Burroughs and Lenny Bruce. This confrontational strategy foreshadowed similar techniques later adopted by punk musicians in New York and London.
One of their significant performances took place at Cleveland’s Viking Saloon in December 1974 alongside Rocket from the Tombs and Mirrors, helping ignite the local punk movement. However, a January 1975 show featuring a gas-powered lawnmower resulted in their banishment from the venue and Marotta’s exit. Brian McMahon returned along with drummer Nick Knox, who would later join The Cramps. This lineup played only once at Case Western Reserve University before disbanding following another altercation initiated by Morton.
Later that year, original members joined forces with Marotta and Mirrors members to create The Men from UNCLE, which disbanded after just two rehearsals. Subsequently, Marotta formed The Styrenes, occasionally collaborating with Morton.
Discography
- Studio Albums
- Having a Philosophical Investigation with The Electric Eels (1989; archival release)
- God Says Fuck You (1991; archival release)
- The Beast 999 Presents The Electric Eels in Their Organic Majesty's Request (1991; archival release)
- The Eyeball of Hell (2001; archival release)
- Singles
- "Agitated"/"Cyclotron" (1978)
- "Spin Age Blasters"/"Bunnies" (1981)
- "Jaguar Ride" (2014)
- Compilation Albums
- Die Electric Eels (2014)
Sources
- Heylin, Clinton (1993). From the Velvets to the Voidoids: A Pre-Punk History for a Post-Punk World. Penguin Books. ISBN 1-55652-575-3.
- Morton, John; Marotta, Paul (2001). The Eyeball of Hell CD liner notes.
External links
- John Morton's Electric Eels website (contains explicit language and images)