At first glance, Second Chance is an interesting title for a band that barely got a first chance. The criminal lore and notorious reputation that came with MC5’s rock ‘n’ roll infamy made it impossible for guitarist Fred “Sonic” Smith to get a label to invest in his post-MC5 supergroup, Sonic’s Rendezvous Band. As it turns out, The Second Chance was a venue in Ann Arbor, Mich., where this incredible live show was taped on Feb. 22, 1977. As can be heard in the opening “Electrophonic Tonic,” both the fidelity and performance here sound noticeably better than on other SRB live recordings. By 1977, Smith and fellow guitar luminary Scott Morgan from The Rationals had locked into a palpable chemistry. Along with the supercharged rhythm section of The Stooges' Scott Asheton and The Up's Gary Rasmussen, SRB was often (and justifiably) likened to a leaner, meaner MC5. But listen closely to the aptly titled “Dangerous” and the closing epic “Empty Heart,” and you’ll hear how Asheton imported the feral energy that fueled The Stooges' raw power.