The Electric Eels

The Profile

The Electric Eels were an American proto-punk band from Cleveland active between 1972 and 1975. Known for abrasive performances and confrontational antics, they featured vocalist Dave E. and guitarist John Morton, with future Cramps drummer Nick Knox appearing in the lineup. Their only single, Agitated/Cyclotron, was released posthumously by Rough Trade in 1978, with later compilations such as The Eyeball of Hell and Their Organic Majesty’s Request preserving their recordings.

Cleveland, Ohio proto-punk pioneers active 1972–1975; chaotic live shows and minimal original releases; posthumous Rough Trade single Agitated/Cyclotron (1978); material compiled on releases like The Eyeball of Hell and Their Organic Majesty’s Request; lineup included Dave E., John Morton, Brian McMahon, and drummer Nick Knox (later of The Cramps).

Two DeBaser reviews frame The Electric Eels as Cleveland’s unruly proto-punk spark (1972–1975). They highlight chaotic shows, police run-ins, and a lone 1978 Rough Trade single. Sound-wise: garage-punk abrasion with glam, MC5, Iggy, and free-jazz/sci-fi edges. Key cuts invoked include Cyclotron, Jaguar Ride, Agitated.