Dennis Thompson (drummer)

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Dennis Thompson
Background information
Also known asMachine Gun, MGT
Born (1948-09-07) September 7, 1948 (age 75)
OriginDetroit, Michigan, U.S.
GenresGarage rock, proto-punk
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Drums
Years active1963–present

Dennis Thompson (born September 7, 1948) is an American drummer, most famous for being the last surviving member of the 1960s–70s Detroit proto-punk/hard rock group MC5,[1] which had a No. 82 US single with "Kick Out the Jams" and a No. 30 US album with the same name.

Biography[edit]

Thompson began playing drums by the time he was nine years old.[2] Joining the MC5 by 1965,[3] Thompson was later given the nickname "Machine Gun" because of his "assault" style of fast, hard-hitting drumming that sonically resembles the sound of his namesake Thompson machine gun (commonly referred to as a "Tommy Gun"). His drumming pre-figured and influenced punk, metal, and hardcore punk drumming styles.[citation needed]

After MC5 broke up in the early 1970s, Thompson was a member of the 1975–1976 Los Angeles–based supergroup The New Order, the 1981 Australia-based supergroup New Race, The Motor City Bad Boys, and The Secrets. In 2001, he guested for Asmodeus X on the song "The Tiger" (St. Thomas Records).[4]

His influences include Elvin Jones, Keith Moon and Mitch Mitchell, and Motown.[5] In 2015, he described how his drumming technique had changed considerably over time, playing with "much less force and tucked in elbows, more wrist action and less arm action".[6]

Thompson was in the band DKT/MC5 with the surviving members of MC5, from 2003–2012. Later, he recorded two tracks for a new MC5 album scheduled for October 2022 release, although as of February 2023 the album has not yet been released.[7]

With the death of guitarist Wayne Kramer in 2024,[8] Thompson is the last surviving member of MC5.

References[edit]

  1. ^ McCann, Ian (17 September 2021). "Rob Tyner: How MC5's Frontman Led a Rock'n'Roll Revolution". Dig!. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  2. ^ Gross, Jason (November 1998). "MC5- Dennis Thompson interview". Perfect Sound Forever. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  3. ^ Iconic proto-punk guitarist brings 'reanimation' of MC5 to Bimbo's - CBS San Francisco. 8 May 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  4. ^ Asmodeus X band biography, Electrogarden.com, Retrieved September 1, 2009]
  5. ^ City Slang: Dennis Thompson on “Kick out the Jams” - Detroit Metro Times. 10 July 2011. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  6. ^ Modern drummer interview with Dennis Thompson. April 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  7. ^ Wayne Kramer Unveils 'We Are All MC5' Spring Tour - Yahoo!. 9 March 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  8. ^ Wayne Kramer, Leader of MC5, Dead at 75. Yahoo!. 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.

External links[edit]