Dead Guitars
Encyclopedia
In 2003 Pete Brough, one of the founder-members of German band Twelve Drummers Drumming, and Ralf Aussem, guitarist from the original 12DD cast, founder and mastermind behind Sun (German band)
, joined forces with vocalist Carlo van Putten and collectively gave life to Dead Guitars.
In addition to being a principal writer and lead vocalist with German band The Convent, Carlo van Putten also had a flourishing partnership with the late Adrian Borland
, mastermind behind the British
cult band The Sound
, under the name White Rose Transmission and has worked with various others over the course of the years, including Marty Willson-Piper
of The Church (band)
and Mark Burgess of The Chameleons
.
The music of Dead Guitars is described as an amalgamation of exhilarating downbeats, saturated electro-acoustic guitar work, and vocals that reflect an incisiveness and emotional intelligence.
The characteristic sound of the band is furthermore described as authentic pop, melancholic ballads, the renaissance of the “wall of sound”, those filigree, towering guitar riffs that make Ralf Aussem such an exceptional guitarist, and the surreal way his licks blend with clear song structures, shattering the listening habits of the pop genre.
...Dead Guitars were invited by "The Mission-UK" in 2008 to play as special guests on their “European Tour”. Dead Guitars are also playing a number of 2011-dates with The Mission.
Their 2nd album “Flags” featured guest appearances from Wayne Hussey (The Mission) and Mark Gemini Thwaite (Tricky, The Mission, Peter Murphy).
Their 2011-long player “Stranger” (silverbird-music) similarly showcases the collaboration of a coterie of prominent artists such as Michael Dempsey of "The Cure",
Axel Ruhland of "M. Walking On The Water", Colin Drummond (12 DD), I. V. Webb (Adrian Borland), Thomas Kessler (Dissidenten), Crystin Fawn (Hearhear), Suzana Bradaric (Dharma Bums),
Georg Sehrbrock (Belgium) and H. G. Haas (Teletunes)… this line-up alone making the Dead Guitars’ latest effort, “Stranger” an extraordinary blend of caliber, experience and authenticity. This superb quality is amplified by the essence of the music, a dexterous exercise uniting elements of New Wave, Pop and Alternative Pop which captivates both heart and mind leaving an impressive and lingering impression…
Sun (German band)
Sun was an Alternative rock band from Mönchengladbach, Germany with English lyrics and styles described as Crossover and Progressive rock.The band was founded in 1991 by and Jörg Schröder....
, joined forces with vocalist Carlo van Putten and collectively gave life to Dead Guitars.
- In 2003-2007 with Kurt Schmidt (Sun/12DD) on bass and Peter Körfer (Sun) on drums.
- In 2007 they've been joined by Patrick Schmitz as drummer and Sven-Olaf Dirks on bass.
- In 2011 with Peter Körfer on bass and swiss drummer Hermann Eugster (12DD)
In addition to being a principal writer and lead vocalist with German band The Convent, Carlo van Putten also had a flourishing partnership with the late Adrian Borland
Adrian Borland
Adrian Borland was an English singer, songwriter, guitarist and record producer, bestknown as the lead singer of post-punk band The Sound...
, mastermind behind the British
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
cult band The Sound
The Sound
The Sound were an English post-punk band, formed in 1979 and dissolved in 1988. The band was fronted by Adrian Borland and evolved from his previous band, The Outsiders...
, under the name White Rose Transmission and has worked with various others over the course of the years, including Marty Willson-Piper
Marty Willson-Piper
Marty Willson-Piper is a guitarist and member of Australian independent rock band The Church.After busking his way around the world, he arrived in Australia...
of The Church (band)
The Church (band)
The Church is an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1980. Initially associated with new wave and the neo-psychedelic sound of the mid 1980s, their music later became more reminiscent of progressive rock, featuring long instrumental jams and complex guitar interplay...
and Mark Burgess of The Chameleons
The Chameleons
The Chameleons were an English post-punk band that formed in Middleton, Greater Manchester, England in 1981. They consisted of singer and bassist Mark Burgess, guitarist Reg Smithies, guitarist Dave Fielding, and drummer John Lever...
.
The music of Dead Guitars is described as an amalgamation of exhilarating downbeats, saturated electro-acoustic guitar work, and vocals that reflect an incisiveness and emotional intelligence.
The characteristic sound of the band is furthermore described as authentic pop, melancholic ballads, the renaissance of the “wall of sound”, those filigree, towering guitar riffs that make Ralf Aussem such an exceptional guitarist, and the surreal way his licks blend with clear song structures, shattering the listening habits of the pop genre.
- Release of debut-album "Airplanes" June 2007 (echozone).
- UK-release of "Flags"-album in January 2009, in Germany in March/April 2009 (echozone).
...Dead Guitars were invited by "The Mission-UK" in 2008 to play as special guests on their “European Tour”. Dead Guitars are also playing a number of 2011-dates with The Mission.
Their 2nd album “Flags” featured guest appearances from Wayne Hussey (The Mission) and Mark Gemini Thwaite (Tricky, The Mission, Peter Murphy).
Their 2011-long player “Stranger” (silverbird-music) similarly showcases the collaboration of a coterie of prominent artists such as Michael Dempsey of "The Cure",
Axel Ruhland of "M. Walking On The Water", Colin Drummond (12 DD), I. V. Webb (Adrian Borland), Thomas Kessler (Dissidenten), Crystin Fawn (Hearhear), Suzana Bradaric (Dharma Bums),
Georg Sehrbrock (Belgium) and H. G. Haas (Teletunes)… this line-up alone making the Dead Guitars’ latest effort, “Stranger” an extraordinary blend of caliber, experience and authenticity. This superb quality is amplified by the essence of the music, a dexterous exercise uniting elements of New Wave, Pop and Alternative Pop which captivates both heart and mind leaving an impressive and lingering impression…
Current band members
- Carlo van Putten: Vocals
- Ralf Aussem: Guitars
- Peter Brough: Acoustic Guitars
- Peter Körfer: Bass
- Hermann Eugster: Drums
Albums
- 2007 - Airplanes (debut album)
- 2008 - Feels alright (EP)
- 2009 - Flags (album)
- 2011 - Mesmerized (EP)
- 2011 - Stranger (album)