Deadsy

Deadsy
Background information
Origin Los Angeles, California
Genres Industrial metal, industrial rock, electronic rock, dark wave, nu metal[1]
Years active 1995–2007 (currently on hiatus)
Labels Dreamworks Records
Elektra Records
Elementree Records
Immortal Records
Sire Records
Warner Music Group
Website deadsy.tv
Members Phillips Exeter Blue I
Alec Püre
Carlton Megalodon (Carlton Bost)
Jens Funke
Past members Creature (Ashburn Miller)
The Beast (Craig Riker)
Dr. Nner (Renn Hawkey)

Deadsy is an American heavy metal band from California.[2] The band is known for its visual iconography and signature characteristics assigned to each band member. Each musician is identified by a specific color, stage name, and graphic tied into the band's theatrical nature. The band has released three studio albums. After independently releasing a self-titled debut in 1996, the band garnered mainstream exposure with the support of alternative metal pioneers Jonathan Davis[3] and Fred Durst[4] who aided Deadsy on their 2002 album Commencement. Throughout the 2000s, Deadsy toured across the United States, most notably performing on the Family Values Tour.[5] The band released a second major label album, Phantasmagore, in 2006 before taking an indefinite hiatus in 2007.[6]

History

Early years and formation (1995–96)

Deadsy began in 1995, when Elijah Blue Allman (son of Cher and Gregg Allman), also known as Phillips Exeter Blue I, started recording a handful of demos (including "Dear" and a cover of "Texas Never Whispers") with Alec Puro (Alec Püre) and later sent a Juno 106 keyboard to Renn Hawkey (Dr. Nner) as an invitation to join the band.[7] The three members evolved their sound in the studio and sought out a record deal out of "adolescent necessity."[8]

Sire years (1996–99)

Deadsy was quickly signed to Sire Records, and they got working on writing new songs. Because they had no bass player at the time, Jay Gordon (of Orgy) was asked to play bass for their short self-titled album.[9] After the album was recorded and released for promotion, the band temporarily relocated to NYC where drummer/producer Marc Jordan joined the band for a brief spell. Deadsy performed their first show at Coney Island in 1997, and abandoned the show after 3 songs for unclarified reasons. All that is really known about the show is that Alec was absent and the bass player they had was a guy named "Andy Trench". Craig Riker joined on bass as a full-time member, and they were once again writing songs for the upcoming full length Commencement. Only a few songs were written for the new album as the band had planned to re-release most tracks from the self-titled album. A music video for "She Likes Big Words" was made at one of their early shows, also for promotion.[10] With the album in the final stages of development, Sire parted ways with Elektra Records, and the release was pushed back to a later date. Soon after, Deadsy was dropped from the label entirely, ending the life of both the first and would-be second album, Commencement.[11]

DreamWorks years (1999–2003)

While in the process of finding a new label, Carlton Bost was added on Z-Tar and guitar. Ashburn Miller replaced Craig on bass in January 2002, after Craig and Deadsy parted ways. Soon after, Jonathan Davis (of the band Korn) signed Deadsy to the new record label Elementree Records and invited the band to join the 2001 Family Values Tour.[12] Commencement was finally released in May 2002. Most of its tracks came from their self-titled album, but some were newly written for the album, including "The Key to Gramercy Park", for which a video was made, directed by friend and Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst.[13] This was Deadsy's second song with Jonathan Davis, following "Sleepy Hollow".[11] A second video was filmed for their cover of Sebadoh's "Brand New Love". Amidst promoting Commencement, Deadsy had already begun working on a follow-up album.

The support from successful nu metal figures provided Deadsy their most prominent mainstream exposure and media coverage in 2002. However, despite this, neither single managed to chart, and Commencement failed to achieve expected sales. Elementree folded soon after. Nevertheless, Deadsy continued touring and focused on the development of their next record.

Phantasmagore (2003–07)

Deadsy signed onto Immortal Records to release Phantasmagore in 2006 .[14] During the 4-year process of writing the album, Deadsy released clips and demos on their official website. Deadsy was asked back to the Family Values Tour in the summer of 2006, which was co-headlined by the Deftones and Korn. Deadsy went on another tour with the Deftones that began in the fall.

In January 2007, Deadsy parted ways with bassist Ashburn Miller (also known as Creature),[15] and added Jens Funke to the line up.

Hiatus (2007–14)

In February 2007, a short statement from Elijah was posted on the band's message board, reading: "I am making a solo record." Carlton then joined The Dreaming full-time. On April 16, 2007, a MySpace bulletin was posted with a statement by Alec Püre, who wrote: "As you all know we are going to be taking a short break from Deadsy so Elijah can make a solo record and I can continue scoring projects I wasn't able to do from the road."

In early 2008, Elijah Blue and the Trapezoids was revealed as the name of Elijah's solo project. Although as of 2016, the project has yet to release anything more than three demos on their Myspace page.

On September 11, 2008, Dr. Nner left the band in order to concentrate on carpentry and family life. He is married to actress Vera Farmiga. They have a son named Fynn, born on January 15, 2009. On November 4, 2010, Farmiga gave birth to daughter Gytta Lubov Hawkey. Dr. Nner then commented: "It was too rough-and-tumble a lifestyle," who then reverted to using his birth name, Renn Hawkey, full-time.[16]

As of February 2010, Elijah has claimed "Deadsy is sleeping at the moment," although the true state of the band is still questioned by many.[6] In the mean time, he is focusing on his art, which was premiered at the Kantor Gallery on February 24, 2010.

Creature (Ashburn Miller) and Carlton Megalodon (Carlton Bost) joined Orgy's new lineup in September 2012. They released a single, "Grime of the Century", to promote their forthcoming studio album.

Possible return (2014–present)

Elijah Blue Allman has made three different posts about his music and Deadsy on his Twitter. The first saying: "Follow me and @KINGQueenie on [Twitter]... and come out of the woodworks [Deadsy legions]." The second saying: "Alright now that that's out of the way... Time to make some heavy fucking music... The beast is back...," which could possibly be referring to Craig Riker. The third states: "I think I'm gonna call my new band [Cock Riot]... Might sound a bit too much on the fey side though, unfortunately."[17]

Musical styles and themes

Allman describes the band's low and dissonant style as Undercore. Elijah's baritone singing style and guitars, Hawkey's synths, Püre's electronic drums and Carlton's Z-Tar all contribute to the band's sound. Allman stated: "We wanted to make something that was transcendental, really rule-defying, and very against the grain and when people listened to it at first, it would just feel very like a sense of foreignness, almost like watching a David Lynch film."

The lyrics and imagery of the songs sometimes focus on many subjects in either sexual, religious, magical or popular culture contexts. Occasionally, one notices references to pedophilia, Secret Societies, The Urantia Book, 1956 Film The Forbidden Planet, Star Wars, the novel Dune by Frank Herbert, and even Disney's 101 Dalmatians.

Many of the multi-color ideas were influenced directly from the 1955 film This Island Earth. Allman has stated he took his alter ego name from one of the leading characters of the story, Exeter.

Members/Visual appearance

Elijah has often called the band an "art project", or "art movement". Complete with a manifesto and visual iconography. Each band member represents one element or "entity" that drives human society. Each entity is also represented by their own color and unique appearance.

Current members

Former members

Discography

Albums

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
[18]		 US
Ind.
[19]
Deadsy[20]
  • Released: August 1, 1996
  • Label: Sire
  • Formats: CD, CS
 — —
Commencement
  • Released: May 14, 2002
  • Label: Elementree, DreamWorks
  • Formats: CD
 100 —
Phantasmagore
  • Released: August 22, 2006
  • Label: Immortal
  • Formats: CD
 176 17
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

List of singles, showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"The Elements"[21] 1997 Deadsy
"The Key to Gramercy Park" / "Mansion World"[A] 2001 Commencement
"Brand New Love"[22] 2002
"Friends" 2006 Non-album single

Extras

Deadsy

Music videos

List of music videos, showing year released and director
Title Year Director(s)
"She Likes Big Words" 1999 N/A
"The Key to Gramercy Park" 2002 Fred Durst[23]
"Brand New Love" Deadsy Legions
"Babes in Abyss" 2005 N/A
"Razor Love" 2006

Notes

  • A ^ For its original 2001 release in the United States, "The Key to Gramercy Park" was released as a double A-side single with "Mansion World".[24] "The Key to Gramercy Park" was re-released in 2002.[25]

References

  1. ↑ Udo, Tommy (2002). Brave Nu World. Sanctuary Publishing. pp. 176–77. ISBN 1-86074-415-X.
  2. ↑ Garbarino, Steve (September 23, 2001). "Parking Strictly Prohibited". The New York Times. Retrieved September 2, 2011.
  3. ↑ Johnson, Tina (December 6, 1999). "Korn, Limp Bizkit, Orgy, Sugar Ray Come Out For Deadsy". MTV News. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  4. ↑ Moss, Corey (April 3, 2002). "Deadsy Hold Their Breath For Durst-Directed Video". MTV news. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  5. ↑ Family Values Tour 2001 at the Wayback Machine (archived December 1, 2001)
  6. 1 2 Lecaro, Lina (March 6, 2010). "Nightranger: Steppin' Out". LA Weekly. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  7. ↑ "Deadsy Biography". playityet.com. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  8. ↑ "Elijah Blue Allman Deadsy Interview Uncensored!". robbrink.com. Stance Magazine. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  9. ↑ Quelland, Sarah. "Dawn of the Deadsy". metroactive.com. Retrieved September 6, 2011.
  10. ↑ "deadsy-she likes big words". youtube.com. phantomrider78. Retrieved September 6, 2011.
  11. 1 2 D'Angelo, Joe (July 31, 2001). "Korn's Jonathan Davis Sings On Deadsy Track". MTV News. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  12. ↑ Dansby, Andrew (October 31, 2001). "Korn's Davis Exhumes Deadsy". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 6, 2011.
  13. ↑ Luerssen, John (May 24, 2002). "Durst Wants Borland Back". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 6, 2011.
  14. ↑ "KORN Frontman: 'I Love Giving Artists A Chance To Get Their Stuff Out There'". roadrunnerrecords.com. Blabbermouth.net. August 24, 2006. Retrieved September 6, 2011.
  15. ↑ "DEADSY Parts Ways With Bassist, Announces Replacement". roadrunnerrecords.com. blabbermouth.net. January 14, 2007. Retrieved September 6, 2011.
  16. ↑ "DeadTV - News". voskat.net. DeadTV. September 11, 2008. Retrieved September 6, 2011.
  17. ↑ https://twitter.com/eliasblau
  18. ↑ "Deadsy – Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
  19. ↑ "Deadsy – Chart History: Independent Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
  20. ↑ "Deadsy – Deadsy". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  21. ↑ The Elements (track listing). Deadsy. Sire Records. 1997. PRCD 9746-2.
  22. ↑ Brand New Love (track listing). Deadsy. DreamWorks Records. 2002.
  23. ↑ Moss, Corey; Napoli, Antonia (April 3, 2002). "Deadsy Hold Their Breath For Durst-Directed Video". MTV News. Viacom Media Networks. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
  24. ↑ The Key to Gramercy Park / Mansion World (track listing). Deadsy. DreamWorks Records. 2001. DRMR-13623-2.
  25. ↑ The Key to Gramercy Park (track listing). Deadsy. DreamWorks Records. 2002. DRMR-13915-2.
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