Birmingham 6 (band)
Birmingham 6is aDanishelectro-industrial/EBMgroup founded in 1991 and named after theBirmingham Six,a group ofIrishmen wrongly imprisoned for theBirmingham pub bombings.Members include Kim Løhde Petersen and Michael Hillerup.[1]
Themes
[edit]They took on the name as they focused on injustices worldwide, but particularly in western democratic society. Their lyrics have often been controversial and some radio stations have banned airplay of their songs, while other groups refused to be associated with them. Birmingham 6 has written several songs questioning governmental systems and their unwillingness to admit their own fallibility. "Israel" talks about the issues between thePalestiniansand theJews."Contagious" discussesAIDSand "Who Do You Love?" points out the difficulty in telling good from evil. The song "6794700" describes church views on abortion they disagreed with. "Love Child" describes how the tourism agency inThailandhelps western travel agencies fulfill certain men's desire for an underage prostitute. The song "Policestate" talks about theriotsinCopenhagenin 1993 during there-voting for the European Unionin which police shot into theangry mob,injuring several protesters.
Releases
[edit]They released their first album,Mindhallucinationin 1994. It was released in the United States in 1995 asAssassinatewith a few track changes. Their next album,Error of Judgement,was released in 1996. In 1999,Resurrection,a collection of previously released tracks and two new remixes, was released. 7 tracks on the albumError of Judgementwere sung byJean-Luc de Meyer,better known as a member ofFront 242.
Birmingham 6 also released a single of their cover of "Godlike"byKMFDM.Birmingham 6 covered AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" for the 1997 tribute albumCovered in Blackon Cleopatra records. They also covered Metallica's "Seek and Destroy" for the tribute albumTribute to... METALLICA.
Touring
[edit]In 1997, they embarked on a 5-week coast to coast U.S. Tour together with Seattle actRorschach Test.Due to poor tour organisation, vocalist and original member Kim Løhde Petersen left the band after only four shows. At the time, they were noted as being "among industrial music's most compelling bands."[2]
Unable to perform the remaining shows on the tour without Kim, the band broke up the tour, and returned to Denmark in a state of bankruptcy.
As a tribute to the DanishClub Metropolis,Kim Løhde Petersen and Michael Hillerup reunited for one night to play live at the club's 10th anniversary party on March 7, 2003. The concert also featuredDiary of Dreams.
In October 2008, Birmingham 6 performed at12. Elektrisch Festivalin Zwickau, Germany. The German label Black Rain released the live compilation12. Electrisch Festivalon 17 December 2008. This festival also featuredAbsolute Body ControlandTyske Ludder.The Birmingham 6 tracks featured on the live compilation are "You Cannot Walk Here"and a cover ofKMFDM's "Godlike".
In March 2009, Birmingham 6 performed in Copenhagen at the "10 Years of Black Rain" show (celebrating the 10 year anniversary of the German label Black Rain) featuring Hicoctan (DE) and Feindflug (DE).
Discography
[edit]Albums
[edit]- Mindhallucination(Transfixion Records)
- Assassinate(Cleopatra Records)[3]
- Error of Judgement(Zoth Ommog Records,Cleopatra Records)
- Resurrection(COP International)
EPs and singles
[edit]- Israel(Transfixion Records)
- Contagious(Transfixion Records)
- Policestate(Cleopatra Records)
- To Protect and To Serve(Cleopatra Records)
- The Kill (Error of Judgement 12 "Promo)(Zoth Ommog Records)
- You Cannot Walk Here(Zoth Ommog Records,Cleopatra Records)
- Mixed Judgements(Zoth Ommog Records)
References
[edit]- ^Bush, John. "Birmingham 6: Biography",Allmusic.Retrieved 2010-03-16.
- ^Ehrbar, Joe (January 9, 1997). "Industrial strength",The Spokesman-Review,p. 2.Convenience link.
- ^"Discogs: Birmingham 6".discogs.com.Retrieved2010-03-07.
External links
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