Dropdead
Encyclopedia
Dropdead is a hardcore punk
band based in Providence, Rhode Island
. Dropdead has been active in the punk scene since 1991. Dropdead tends to address subjects such as animal rights
, pacifism
, and anti-authoritarianism. The band members are supporters of the ALF
.
Their name is derived from the demo
of the American band Siege
. Dropdead has proven highly influential to modern strains of hardcore and crust and have adhered to the DIY punk ethic throughout its extended career. The band's songs are generally short and very fast-paced, with few lasting longer than one minute.
's 1984 cassette, Drop Dead
.
The influences listed on the band's MySpace
page are Siege, Japanese hardcore
groups Gauze
and S.O.B.
, British anarcho-punk groups Crass
and Conflict
, Swedish D-beat bands Mob 47
and Anti Cimex, and Japanoise
pioneer Merzbow
.
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
band based in Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
. Dropdead has been active in the punk scene since 1991. Dropdead tends to address subjects such as animal rights
Animal rights
Animal rights, also known as animal liberation, is the idea that the most basic interests of non-human animals should be afforded the same consideration as the similar interests of human beings...
, pacifism
Pacifism
Pacifism is the opposition to war and violence. The term "pacifism" was coined by the French peace campaignerÉmile Arnaud and adopted by other peace activists at the tenth Universal Peace Congress inGlasgow in 1901.- Definition :...
, and anti-authoritarianism. The band members are supporters of the ALF
Animal Liberation Front
The Animal Liberation Front is an international, underground leaderless resistance that engages in illegal direct action in pursuit of animal liberation...
.
Their name is derived from the demo
Drop Dead (Siege album)
Drop Dead is an album originally released in 1984 by Weymouth hardcore band Siege. It is the only album the band ever released. The original "album" was a self-released demo cassette with six songs recorded at Radiobeat studios in Boston and produced by Lou Giordano. There were also three songs...
of the American band Siege
Siege (band)
Siege was an American punk/Thrashcore band from Weymouth, Massachusetts. They were active in the 1980s Boston hardcore scene from 1983 to 1985, and reunited briefly in the early 1990s....
. Dropdead has proven highly influential to modern strains of hardcore and crust and have adhered to the DIY punk ethic throughout its extended career. The band's songs are generally short and very fast-paced, with few lasting longer than one minute.
Members
- Bob Otis Vocals. Previously in The Fuzz. Currently in Lolita Black and I Destroyer.
- Ben Barnett Guitar. Runs Armageddon Label and Armageddon Shop
- Brian Mastrobuono Drums. Previously in Straight to Hell, Battlesnake. currently in neon bitches
- George Radford Bass. Currently in she rides
Former Members
- Devon Cahill Bass. Previously in Monster X, Exploding Corpse Action, Conniption, and Hail MaryHail MaryThe Angelic Salutation, Hail Mary, or Ave Maria is a traditional biblical Catholic prayer asking for the intercession of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. The Hail Mary is used within the Catholic Church, and it forms the basis of the Rosary...
- Lee Mastrobuono Bass.
Influences
Their name is taken from SiegeSiege (band)
Siege was an American punk/Thrashcore band from Weymouth, Massachusetts. They were active in the 1980s Boston hardcore scene from 1983 to 1985, and reunited briefly in the early 1990s....
's 1984 cassette, Drop Dead
Drop Dead (Siege album)
Drop Dead is an album originally released in 1984 by Weymouth hardcore band Siege. It is the only album the band ever released. The original "album" was a self-released demo cassette with six songs recorded at Radiobeat studios in Boston and produced by Lou Giordano. There were also three songs...
.
The influences listed on the band's MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
page are Siege, Japanese hardcore
Japanese hardcore
Japanese hardcore punk refers to the fast-paced Japanese punk/hardcore genre. The original intent of Japanese hardcore was to protest the social and economic changes sweeping Japan in the 1980s. The band SS is regarded as the first, forming in 1977. Bands, such as G.I.S.M. and The Stalin, soon...
groups Gauze
Gauze (band)
Gauze is a hardcore–punk band from Japan. Since their formation in 1981, Gauze has been a major influence in both the Japanese hardcore scene, and the underground hardcore scene around the world...
and S.O.B.
S.O.B. (band)
S.O.B., also known as SxOxBx, is an early, seminal hardcore punk and grindcore band from Japan. Their band name is an acronym for S.O.B., also known as SxOxBx, is an early, seminal [[hardcore punk]] and [[grindcore]] band from [[Japan]]...
, British anarcho-punk groups Crass
Crass
Crass are an English punk rock band that was formed in 1977, which promoted anarchism as a political ideology, way of living, and as a resistance movement. Crass popularised the seminal anarcho-punk movement of the punk subculture, and advocated direct action, animal rights, and environmentalism...
and Conflict
Conflict (band)
Conflict is an English anarcho-punk band originally based around Eltham in South London. Formed in 1981, the band's original line up consisted of: Colin Jerwood , Francisco 'Paco' Carreno , Big John , Steve , Pauline , Paul aka 'Nihilistic Nobody' . Their first release was the EP "The House That...
, Swedish D-beat bands Mob 47
Mob 47
Mob 47 is a hardcore punk band which formed in Stockholm, Sweden in 1982, originally under the name of "Censur". In 1983 the band members changed the name to what it's now called "Mob 47" when singer Mentis entered the band. During their early years they played with the legendary band Anti Cimex....
and Anti Cimex, and Japanoise
Japanoise
is a portmanteau of the words "Japanese" and "noise": a term applied to the diverse, prolific, and influential noise music scene of Japan. Primarily popular and active in the 1980s and 1990s but still alive today, the Japanoise scene is defined by a remarkable sense of musical freedom...
pioneer Merzbow
Merzbow
is the main recording name of the Japanese noise musician , born in 1956. Since 1979 he has released in excess of 350 recordings.The name "Merzbow" comes from German artist Kurt Schwitters' artwork, "Merzbau”. This was chosen to reflect Akita's dada influence and junk art aesthetic...
.
Discography
- Untitled 7" (1992, Crust Records)
- Dropdead/Rupture - split 8" (1992, Highly Collectable Records)
- Dropdead/Crossed Out - split 5" (1993, Co-released by 5 Labels)
- Untitled LP/CD (1994, Armageddon)
- Discography (of EPs) LP/CD, (1994, Armageddon)++
- Hostile 7" (1996, Spiral Objective/Insurgence)
- Drop on the Bootleg 3" CD (1997, Profane Existence Far East)
- Untitled Album LP/CD (1998, Armageddon Label)
- Dropdead/Totalitär - split 7" or CD-EP (2002, Prank)
- Dropdead/Unholy Grave - split 7" (2003, MCR)
- Untitled Live album (Live in Germany 1998) (2003, Red C)
- Dropdead/Look Back and Laugh - split 7" (2004, Armageddon)
- Converge / DropdeadConverge / DropdeadConverge / Dropdead is a split EP featuring songs by the American rock bands Converge and Dropdead. The EP was self-released commercially in digital and 7" vinyl formats by both of the bands on June 16, 2011, and will be distributed through Deathwish Inc. and Armageddon...
- split 7" (2011, self-released)