Electric Six brings their ironic glam-rock dance party to the Showplace Theatre on Friday night. Every song of theirs has some tongue-in-cheek joke or out-of-context quote from a public figure, and this is part of what makes them so great. The song “Rock and Roll Evacuation” offers some political commentary with the lyrics “Mr. President, make a little money sending people you don’t know to Iraq/Mr. President, I don’t like you—you don’t know how to rock!” Front man Dick Valentine jokes his way through Backstreet Boys references with his undoubtedly powerful voice that bellows from the depths of his strange and irreverent soul. On their latest release, Switzerland, the band proves its virtuosity with piano-driven songs like “I Buy The Drugs” and a wonderfully hard version of Queen’s hit “Radio-Ga-Ga” (coupled with a hilarious video on YouTube). Their 2003 hit “Danger! High Voltage” (originally recorded in 2001 under the name the Wildbunch) may remain the band’s masterpiece, what with the video featuring a flashing codpiece-type of apparatus and the rumors that backing vocals were provided by fellow Detroit native Jack White. These party maniacs will be performing with Test Your Reflex, Night Kills Day, and London vs. New York.

Friday, March 23. Doors at 7pm, show at 8pm. Showplace Theatre, 1063 Grant St.

(447-1271). $12 presale/$15 at the door (Ticketmaster)