Memphis band organizes star-studded tribute to influential Detroit rockers the MC5

“Call Me Animal: A Tribute to the MC5” will be released on Black Friday by Texas-based Saustex Records. Honoring influential late ‘60s/early ‘70s Detroit proto-punk band, the MC5, the tribute is the brainchild of Memphis group Jocephus and the George Jonestown Massacre.

The band, led by Joey Killingsworth and Dik LeDoux, has spearheaded a series of tribute records over the past decade, including LPs honoring the work of Johnny Cash, Black Oak Arkansas and Nazareth. The band’s latest effort is its most high profile yet, as they’ve lined up a who’s who of popular, alternative and underground rock stars to pay homage to the MC5.

“Call Me Animal” features 22 tracks that bring together the disparate talents of Alice Cooper, Keith Morris (Black Flag, Circle Jerks), Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys), Cherie Currie (The Runaways), Mike Watt (The Minutemen, The Stooges), Lydia Lunch, Paul Leary (Butthole Surfers), J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr.), Kim Thayil (Soundgarden) and Johnette Napolitano (Concrete Blonde), among others. Several local and regional names — including Jimbo Mathus (Squirrel Nut Zippers) and Steve Selvidge (The Hold Steady, Bash & Pop) — appear as guests as well.

The idea for the project was born in 2018, when the Jocephus opened a Nashville show for the MC50, a traveling revue celebrating the band led by original MC5 guitarist and founder Wayne Kramer.

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“We opened up for the MC50,” said Killingsworth, “and on the way home from the gig, Dik and I both said, 'I think the next tribute should be the MC5.' We figured we could give the [proceeds] from the project to Wayne Kramer’s charity, Jail Guitar Doors USA [which provides instruments for inmates]. So we started making a wish list of musicians we wanted to get involved.”

Jocephus and the George Jonestown Massacre serve as the house band for the bulk of the tracks — though they’re often augmented by a rotating crew of Memphis players, including Hope Clayburn, Robert Allan Parker and members of the Dirty Streets.

The group conjures an admirably authentic sound evocative of the MC5’s high-energy output, offering a solid foundation for the many guest vocalists and guitarists who grace classic tracks like “Kick Out the Jams,” “Ramblin Rose” and “Shakin’ Street.”

Pairing the songs and performers was tricky, given the MC5’s relatively limited discography — as they released just three full-length LPs and a handful of singles during their brief but meteoric career.

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Killingsworth and LeDoux put together puzzle pieces together cleverly, yielding a number of interesting combinations. “Some stuff I could hear it in my head who would be good for what,” said Killingsworth. “I had certain ideas for each track, people we wanted. And most of them, we were able to pull off.”

Even founding MC5 member Kramer joins in on the fun. “He actually did a solo with us on ‘Human Being Lawnmower,’ which also has Jello Biafra,” notes Killingsworth.

“Call Me Animal” is available on Bandcamp now and will hit all the streaming services on Nov. 24. Jocephus is already planning its next couple tribute projects: one dedicated to the music of James Gang/Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh and another paying tribute to “weirder Texas music,” as Killingsworth puts it. Those projects, as well as a new EP of original material by Jocephus, are expected next year.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: New MC5 tribute album from Memphis band features star-studded lineup