Tyler Spencer

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Tyler Spencer
Tylerspencervocalist.jpg
Spencer in October 2010
Background information
Birth nameTyler Spencer
Also known asDick Valentine
Taylor Spencer
Jackson Pounder
Born (1972-01-22) January 22, 1972 (age 52)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Origin Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Genres Alternative rock, dance-rock, dance-punk, folk, freak folk
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, musician, author
Instrument(s) Vocals, guitar, drums, keyboards
Website Official website

Tyler Spencer (born January 22, 1972), also known as Dick Valentine, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and author. He is best known as the lead vocalist, main lyricist, and co-founder of the rock band Electric Six. [1] [2]

Contents

Career

Spencer founded Electric Six in 1996, at which time the band was named the Wildbunch, but this was changed because another band had the same name. [3] He is also one of the two members of the dance group Evil Cowards, [4] is one of the vocalists for hard rock band Bang Camaro, and was temporarily a member of the short-lived band The Dirty Shame. He released his first solo album, Destroy the Children , under the Dick Valentine pseudonym on May 14, 2012. [5]

Discography

Electric Six

The Dirty Shame

Evil Cowards

Solo

Bite Me

Excluding appearances on other artists' songs, Dick Valentine's first solo venture was the soundtrack for Machinima original series Bite Me . Valentine's Evil Cowards bandmate, William Bates, scored the series, while Valentine wrote and performed a variety of original songs. Despite repeated claims that the songs would be made commercially available, Machinima are still yet to release any of them. [7]

On September 11, 2011, Machinima released a music video for Valentine's song "Zombie, Zombie Skeleton" to promote the release of Dead Rising 2 . [8]

On June 14, 2012, Dick Valentine collaborated with Mighty Tiny to create The Dick Valentine Band. They performed a live show of the Bite Me soundtrack.[ citation needed ]

Albums

YearTitleNotes
2012 Destroy the Children Studio album
2013Halloween FingersStudio album
2015Here Come the Bags!Studio album
2016Quiet TimeStudio album consisting of acoustic renditions of songs originally by Electric Six and Evil Cowards
The Dick Valentine Raw Collection Compilation album composed of demo material produced for Dick Valentine solo albums and Electric Six projects. Was released exclusively as a pledge gift for Electric Six's Kickstarter campaign relating to Roulette Stars of Metro Detroit .
2017RobocallsStudio album
2019Illuminati BeesStudio album
2019Bite Me: Songs from a Zombie ShowStudio album
2020Parrot PeopleStudio album
2021Coma WatchingStudio album
2023This Is Hell!Studio album
2024Do You Notice?Studio album

Singles and Appearances

YearTitleProjectVocalsWriter
2000"Private Affair" [9] Bantam Rooster song, released as a B-side on their single, "Big Mess"YesNo
2006"Unstoppable" [10] TV Rock song featured on their album Sunshine City - credited as Tyler SpencerYesNo
2009"Nuclear Cowboy"J-Lobster song featured on their album Mindless Pleasures [11] YesNo
"I'm a Vampire" Shitting Glitter single - credited as Rich N. Famous [12] YesNo
2012"The Shrinking Planet"Single by Massive Horse, later included on their album About Last Night recorded under the new name of Nightmares from the DiscothèqueYesNo
2013"He's a Freak" [13] Andy D song featured on album WarcriesYesNo
"Last Christmas" [14] Cover version single by Fall On Your Sword YesNo
2017"I Love You, I Steal Your Gas!"Single by Dick Valentine and Mark Mallman [15] YesYes
2020"Summer Wine"Single by Victoria Liedtke & Dick Valentine - Cover of Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood song [16] YesNo

Bibliography

Release DateTitleProject
3 January 2014"Residential Intruders in the 21st Century: Real Demons, Aliens and Monsters That Visit My Apartment"5-page pamphlet on the "demons, monsters and aliens that constantly visit [Dick] in [his] home". [17]
13 May 2014Chinatown ReacharoundPornographic thriller novella. The first book in the Bart Ducane trilogy. [18]
17 July 2014"Dick Valentine's 2014 Party Planner"41-page party planner. [19]
27 January 2015"Dick Valentine's 2015 Party Planner Guide"57-page party planner - an updated version of the 2014 Party Planner [20]
22 January 2016Fairfax FacialPornographic thriller novella. Sequel to Chinatown Reacharound and the second book in the Bart Ducane trilogy. [21]
30 January 2017Glendale Glory HolePornographic thriller novella. Sequel to Fairfax Facial and the final book in the Bart Ducane trilogy. [22]

Filmography

YearTitleProjectWriterExecutive ProducerActorRole
2002"Danger! High Voltage" Electric Six music video to promote Fire Yes (songwriter)NoYesMan
2003"Gay Bar"Yes (songwriter)NoYes Abraham Lincoln
"Dance Commander"Yes (songwriter)NoYesDick Valentine
2004"Radio Ga Ga"Electric Six music video to promote Señor Smoke NoNoYes Freddie Mercury
2006"Mr. Woman"Electric Six music video to promote Switzerland Yes (songwriter)YesYesDick Valentine
"I Buy the Drugs"Yes (songwriter)YesYesDick Valentine
"Chocolate Pope"Yes (songwriter)YesYesDick Valentine (voice)
"Rubber Rocket"Yes (songwriter)YesYesSinging Voice
2007"Infected Girls"Yes (songwriter)YesYesDick Valentine
"It's Showtime!"Electric Six music video to promote I Shall Exterminate Everything Around Me That Restricts Me from Being the Master Yes (songwriter)YesYesSinger's Voice
"Down at McDonnelzzz"Yes (songwriter)YesYesCentaur
"Randy's Hot Tonight"Yes (songwriter)YesYesDick Valentine
2008"One Gallon Axe"White Gold music videoYes (songwriter)NoYesVoice of White Gold
"Tame the White Tiger"Yes (songwriter)NoYesVoice of White Gold
"Is It Me Or Do You Love My Hair?"Yes (songwriter)NoYesVoice of White Gold
"There's Something Very Wrong With Us, So Let's Go Out Tonight"Electric Six music video to promote SwitzerlandYes (songwriter)YesYes Grim Reaper
"Formula 409"Electric Six music video to promote Flashy Yes (songwriter)YesYesDick Valentine
"Making Progress"Yes (songwriter)YesYesSinger
"Pulling the Plug on the Party"Electric Six music video to promote SwitzerlandYes (songwriter)YesYesSinging Voice
2009"Body Shot"Electric Six music video to promote KILL Yes (songwriter)YesYesMan
"Battle for Milkquarious"Promotional short filmYes (songwriter)NoYes (uncredited)Singing voice of White Gold
"Love Pigs" Evil Cowards music video to promote Covered in Gas Yes (songwriter)YesYesEvil Coward
2010Starlight & SuperfishFeature filmNoNoYesBill Laserman
2011"Zombie, Zombie Skeleton"Dick Valentine music videoYes (songwriter)NoYesSinging voice
"You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch"Electric Six live performance video produced for The A.V. Club NoNoYesDick Valentine [23]
2012"Psychic Visions"Electric Six music video to promote Heartbeats and Brainwaves YesYesYesDick Valentine
"That Voodoo You Do, or 'The Legba Luncheon'"Short filmYesYesYesFlatbrush Frank
"Bedford Avenue Wine Distributors"Evil Cowards music video to promote Moving Through Security Yes (songwriter)YesYesEvil Coward
"The Shrinking Planet"Massive Horse music videoNoNoYesThe Colonel
2013"Last Christmas" Fall On Your Sword music videoNoNoYesSinging Voice
2014 Absolute Treasure Electric Six concert film YesYes (uncredited)YesHimself - Dick Valentine
2016 Roulette Stars of Metro Detroit Electric Six mockumentary feature filmYesYesYesDick Valentine and Voice of Darren Nucleus?
2017"I Love You, I Steal Your Gas"Dick Valentine and Mark Mallman music videoYes (songwriter)YesYesDick Valentine
"I'll Be In Touch"Electric Six music video to promote Fresh Blood for Tired Vampyres Yes (songwriter)YesYesDick Valentine
"I Got the Box"Yes (songwriter)YesYesFlatbrush Frank [24]
2018Chill Out!Electric Six concert broadcastYesYesYesHimself - Dick Valentine [25]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electric Six</span> American rock band

Electric Six is an American rock band formed in Detroit in 1996. They are known for combining elements of comedy rock, disco, garage rock, metal, new wave, and punk rock. Since achieving widespread recognition in 2003 with the singles "Danger! High Voltage" and "Gay Bar", they have released 20 studio albums, two rarities albums, one live album and one live DVD. Each band member is given a unique stage name; the line-up has undergone changes over the years; co-founder, lead vocalist, and primary songwriter Dick Valentine has been the only constant member. The current line-up consists of Valentine, lead guitarist Johnny Na$hinal, keyboardist Tait Nucleus?, rhythm guitarist Herb S. Flavourings, drummer Dr. J and bassist Smorgasbord.

<i>Fire</i> (Electric Six album) 2003 studio album by Electric Six

Fire is the debut studio album by American rock band Electric Six. It was released through XL Recordings on May 20 in the US and June 30 in the UK, 2003. It was preceded by the hit single "Danger! High Voltage", which peaked at number 2 on the UK Singles Chart. The album peaked at number 7 in the UK and received positive reviews from critics.

<i>Señor Smoke</i> 2005 studio album by Electric Six

Señor Smoke (2005) is the second album from Electric Six, following Fire in 2003. It was released in the UK February 14, 2005 by Warner Music imprint Rushmore Records. Due to complications with Electric Six's former record label, Rushmore did not release the album in North America. In December 2005, the band announced a new partnership with Metropolis Records that resulted in Señor Smoke's North American release on February 7, 2006.

This article catalogues the releases of the American band Electric Six.

<i>Switzerland</i> (album) 2006 studio album by Electric Six

Switzerland is the title of the third album by Detroit rock band Electric Six.

<i>I Shall Exterminate Everything Around Me That Restricts Me from Being the Master</i> 2007 studio album by Electric Six

I Shall Exterminate Everything Around Me That Restricts Me from Being the Master is the fourth album by the Detroit rock band Electric Six.

The Chop Tops were a rockabilly trio from Santa Cruz, California consisting of Sinner, Shelby (guitar), and Josh. The band was formed by Sinner in 1995, Shelby joined in 1999, and Josh took over bass duties in 2014. The band coined the phrase "Revved-Up Rockabilly" to describe their wild, upbeat blend of rockabilly, psychobilly, old punk, teddy boy, and surf music genres. The Chop Tops headlined their own national tours, toured with bands like Mad Sin and the Nekromantix, and opened for many bands including the Dead Kennedys, Suicidal Tendencies, Dick Dale, John Lee Hooker, and Chuck Berry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gay Bar (song)</span> 2003 single by Electric Six

"Gay Bar" is a song by American rock band Electric Six. Written by band member Tyler Spencer, under the pseudonym Dick Valentine, it was released on June 2, 2003, as the second single from their debut studio album, Fire (2003). While both the song and music video received significant airplay, lyrics mentioning war were edited due to their possibly offensive nature, since the song made its air debut at the start of the Iraq War.

<i>Kill</i> (Electric Six album) 2009 studio album by Electric Six

Kill is the sixth album by Detroit rock band Electric Six, which was released in October 2009.

<i>Flashy</i> 2008 studio album by Electric Six

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<i>Zodiac</i> (Electric Six album) 2010 studio album by Electric Six

Zodiac is the seventh studio album by electronic rock band Electric Six. It was released in 2010 on Metropolis Records.

Evil Cowards is an American synth-pop band created by Tyler Spencer of Electric Six, and Will Bates of Fall On Your Sword.

<i>Heartbeats and Brainwaves</i> 2011 studio album by Electric Six

Heartbeats and Brainwaves is the eighth album by Detroit rock band Electric Six. It was released on October 11, 2011. It was released as a CD, digital download and a colored double vinyl set which is sold at the band's live shows.

<i>Absolute Pleasure</i> 2014 American film

Absolute Pleasure is a live album by Detroit rock band Electric Six. It is composed of recordings from shows at both First Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota and the Double Door in Chicago, Illinois.

<i>Covered in Gas</i> 2009 studio album by Evil Cowards

Covered in Gas is the debut album by Evil Cowards. It was released in 2009. A music video for "Love Pigs" was released on YouTube via Fall On Your Sword's official account.

<i>Mimicry and Memories</i> 2015 studio album by Electric Six

Mimicry and Memories is a compilation album by Electric Six. Disc one, Mimicry, is composed of cover songs. Disc two, Memories, consists of demos, B-sides and rarities. It was funded through a Kickstarter campaign and self-released directly to the campaign's backers.

<i>Roulette Stars of Metro Detroit</i> 2016 American film

Roulette Stars of Metro Detroit is an American mockumentary film starring members of the rock band Electric Six as fictional versions of themselves. The film was written by lead singer Dick Valentine and was crowd-sourced through a Kickstarter campaign.

<i>How Dare You?</i> (Electric Six album) 2017 studio album by Electric Six

How Dare You? is the sixteenth album by Detroit rock band Electric Six and the thirteenth in their official canon. It was released on October 13, 2017. It is their longest studio album to date. Although this is not technically true as their 2007 album, I Shall Exterminate Everything Around Me That Restricts Me from Being the Master, is longer at 50 minutes. A single of the song "Arrive Alive" was released ahead of the album as an incentive to pre-order it.

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Twins of Evil: Hell Never Dies Tour was the third double bill concert tour co-headlined by American rock bands Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson. The tour was staged by concert promoter LiveNation, following the critical and commercial success of the Twins of Evil franchise, from July 9, 2019, until August 18, 2019, and included stops at the Rock USA and Rock Fest concert festivals in mid-July. It covered 24 dates throughout North America, including six shows in Canada, and lasted for six weeks.

References

  1. "Electric Six to perform at St. Andrew's Hall in Detroit Saturday". Booth Newspapers. November 26, 2008. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
  2. "MUSIC: SPINS; Burning Down the Garage". The New York Times. Retrieved October 15, 2011.
  3. "Sax as a Weapon: You Didn't Know That Rock 'n' Roll Burned". Village Voice . April 1, 2003. Retrieved April 17, 2012.
  4. "Electric Six Frontman Is An Evil Coward". College Music Journal . May 11, 2009. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
  5. "The Politics Of Dancing: An Election Year Blog By Dick Valentine @ Antiquiet Blogs". Antiquiet.com. March 5, 2012. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
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  7. "Other Bands". Electricsix.co.uk.
  8. Zombie, Zombie Skeleton. YouTube. Archived from the original on September 21, 2011.
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