Killdozer (band)
Encyclopedia
Killdozer was an American
noise-rock band
, formed in Madison, Wisconsin
in 1983, with members Bill Hobson, Dan Hobson and Michael Gerald. They took their name from the 1974 TV movie, directed by Jerry London, itself based on a Theodore Sturgeon short story. They released their first album, Intellectuals are the Shoeshine Boys of the Ruling Elite, in the same year. The band split in 1990 but reformed in 1993, losing guitarist Bill Hobson and gaining Paul Zagoras, and continued until they split up in 1996. Their farewell tour was officially titled "Fuck You, We Quit!", and included Erik Tunison of Die Kreuzen
in place of Dan Hobson on drums and Jeff Ditzenberger on additional guitar. The band released nine albums, including a post-breakup live CD, The Last Waltz.
Killdozer was notable for its slow, grinding song structures and blackly humorous lyrics, growled ominously by singer/guitarist Michael Gerald at the top of his lungs. Many of their songs were disturbing narratives of small-town life gone awry, and later had a jaded, left wing political perspective. Killdozer is regarded by many to have helped set the foundation for grunge music
, despite that genre
's association with the city of Seattle.
The band also became famous for its cover
songs, an example being Don McLean
's "American Pie". A version exists on their 1989 all-covers album For Ladies Only. Gerald also did a cover of Jessi Colter
's "I'm Not Lisa" for the band's 1986 EP
Burl, dedicated "in loving memory of" the still-living-at-the-time Burl Ives
. The EP in its entirety can be found on the CD version of their 1994 album Uncompromising War on Art Under the Dictatorship of the Proletariat.
label during the 1980s and 90s and they often toured with or played alongside label mates such as Butthole Surfers
, Scratch Acid
and Big Black
. The band frequently recorded with producer and fellow Madisonian Butch Vig
. Steve Albini
, who recorded Killdozer's 1995 album God Hears Pleas of the Innocent, has on many occasions cited Killdozer as a band who reached his exacting standards. Twelve Point Buck was the album that brought Butch Vig
to the attention of Kurt Cobain
and Billy Corgan
.
Killdozer played with all original members at Touch and Go Records' 25th anniversary celebration in Chicago, Illinois on September 9, 2006. To promote the event, flyers declared "Fuck You, We Reunite!", harkening back to the name of their farewell tour ("Fuck You, We Quit!"). Subsequently, in response to the audience at the concert "pleading for more Killdozer", Touch and Go announced a handful of U.S. tour dates for the fall of 2008.
Meanwhile, drummer Dan Hobson has remained active in the Madison music scene, playing in several bands, including Cement Pond with Tim Sullivan (of Drug Induced Nightmare #4) on guitar, Steve Burke (of The Gomers
) on guitar and vocals, and Gordon Ranney (also of The Gomers) on bass and vocals. The group has released one full-length album entitled Vanilla Guerilla on the independent Corporate Hell Inc. record label in 2005. Michael Gerald is an attorney in Los Angeles, California
. In 2007, he lent his voice to the New Jersey band Hunchback, for their cover of the Christina Aguilera hit "Beautiful
", released on their album Pray For Scars (Don Giovanni Records
, 2008). Bill Hobson is a grip
in the Los Angeles area.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
noise-rock band
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
, formed in Madison, Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
in 1983, with members Bill Hobson, Dan Hobson and Michael Gerald. They took their name from the 1974 TV movie, directed by Jerry London, itself based on a Theodore Sturgeon short story. They released their first album, Intellectuals are the Shoeshine Boys of the Ruling Elite, in the same year. The band split in 1990 but reformed in 1993, losing guitarist Bill Hobson and gaining Paul Zagoras, and continued until they split up in 1996. Their farewell tour was officially titled "Fuck You, We Quit!", and included Erik Tunison of Die Kreuzen
Die Kreuzen
Die Kreuzen was a rock band from Milwaukee, Wisconsin which was formed in 1981. The name is broken German for "the crosses", and was picked up by the band from a German Bible...
in place of Dan Hobson on drums and Jeff Ditzenberger on additional guitar. The band released nine albums, including a post-breakup live CD, The Last Waltz.
Killdozer was notable for its slow, grinding song structures and blackly humorous lyrics, growled ominously by singer/guitarist Michael Gerald at the top of his lungs. Many of their songs were disturbing narratives of small-town life gone awry, and later had a jaded, left wing political perspective. Killdozer is regarded by many to have helped set the foundation for grunge music
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
, despite that genre
Genre
Genre , Greek: genos, γένος) is the term for any category of literature or other forms of art or culture, e.g. music, and in general, any type of discourse, whether written or spoken, audial or visual, based on some set of stylistic criteria. Genres are formed by conventions that change over time...
's association with the city of Seattle.
The band also became famous for its cover
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
songs, an example being Don McLean
Don McLean
Donald "Don" McLean is an American singer-songwriter. He is most famous for the 1971 album American Pie, containing the renowned songs "American Pie" and "Vincent".-Musical roots:...
's "American Pie". A version exists on their 1989 all-covers album For Ladies Only. Gerald also did a cover of Jessi Colter
Jessi Colter
Jessi Colter is an American country music artist who is best known for her collaboration with her husband, country singer and songwriter Waylon Jennings and for her 1975 country-pop crossover hit "I'm Not Lisa"....
's "I'm Not Lisa" for the band's 1986 EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
Burl, dedicated "in loving memory of" the still-living-at-the-time Burl Ives
Burl Ives
Burl Icle Ivanhoe Ives was an American actor, writer and folk music singer. As an actor, Ives's work included comedies, dramas, and voice work in theater, television, and motion pictures. Music critic John Rockwell said, "Ives's voice .....
. The EP in its entirety can be found on the CD version of their 1994 album Uncompromising War on Art Under the Dictatorship of the Proletariat.
History
The band recorded under the Touch and Go RecordsTouch and Go Records
Touch and Go Records is an independent record label based in Chicago, Illinois, USA.After its genesis as a hand-made fanzine in 1979, it grew into one of the key record labels in the American 1980s alternative and underground rock scenes, Touch & Go carved out a reputation for releasing adventurous...
label during the 1980s and 90s and they often toured with or played alongside label mates such as Butthole Surfers
Butthole Surfers
Butthole Surfers is an American alternative rock band formed by Gibby Haynes and Paul Leary in San Antonio, Texas in 1981. The band has had numerous personnel changes, but its core lineup of Haynes, Leary, and drummer King Coffey has been consistent since 1983. Teresa Nervosa served as second...
, Scratch Acid
Scratch Acid
Scratch Acid was an Austin, Texas noise rock group formed in 1982. When they first began, their lineup was Steve Anderson , David Wm. Sims , Brett Bradford , David Yow , and Rey Washam and Win Vitosky...
and Big Black
Big Black
Big Black was an American punk rock band from Evanston, Illinois, active from 1981 to 1987. Founded by singer and guitarist Steve Albini, the band's initial lineup also included guitarist Santiago Durango and bassist Jeff Pezzati, both of Naked Raygun...
. The band frequently recorded with producer and fellow Madisonian Butch Vig
Butch Vig
Butch Vig is an American musician and record producer, best known internationally as the drummer of the Madison, Wisconsin-based alternative rock band Garbage and the producer of multi-platinum selling album Nevermind by Nirvana....
. Steve Albini
Steve Albini
Steven Frank Albini is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, audio engineer and music journalist. He was a member of Big Black, Rapeman, and Flour, and is currently a member of Shellac...
, who recorded Killdozer's 1995 album God Hears Pleas of the Innocent, has on many occasions cited Killdozer as a band who reached his exacting standards. Twelve Point Buck was the album that brought Butch Vig
Butch Vig
Butch Vig is an American musician and record producer, best known internationally as the drummer of the Madison, Wisconsin-based alternative rock band Garbage and the producer of multi-platinum selling album Nevermind by Nirvana....
to the attention of Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain
Kurt Donald Cobain was an American singer-songwriter, musician and artist, best known as the lead singer and guitarist of the grunge band Nirvana...
and Billy Corgan
Billy Corgan
William Patrick "Billy" Corgan, Jr. is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and occasional poet best known as the frontman and sole permanent member of The Smashing Pumpkins. Formed by Corgan and guitarist James Iha in Chicago, Illinois in 1987, the band quickly gained steam with the...
.
Killdozer played with all original members at Touch and Go Records' 25th anniversary celebration in Chicago, Illinois on September 9, 2006. To promote the event, flyers declared "Fuck You, We Reunite!", harkening back to the name of their farewell tour ("Fuck You, We Quit!"). Subsequently, in response to the audience at the concert "pleading for more Killdozer", Touch and Go announced a handful of U.S. tour dates for the fall of 2008.
Meanwhile, drummer Dan Hobson has remained active in the Madison music scene, playing in several bands, including Cement Pond with Tim Sullivan (of Drug Induced Nightmare #4) on guitar, Steve Burke (of The Gomers
The Gomers
The Gomers are a Madison, Wisconsin based comedy rock/experimental music/progressive rock band. Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, and former Mayor Sue Baumann both proclaimed February 1 as "Gomer Day" in Madison...
) on guitar and vocals, and Gordon Ranney (also of The Gomers) on bass and vocals. The group has released one full-length album entitled Vanilla Guerilla on the independent Corporate Hell Inc. record label in 2005. Michael Gerald is an attorney in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
. In 2007, he lent his voice to the New Jersey band Hunchback, for their cover of the Christina Aguilera hit "Beautiful
Beautiful (Christina Aguilera song)
"Beautiful" is a song written by Linda Perry and recorded by American singer Christina Aguilera for Aguilera's fourth studio album, Stripped...
", released on their album Pray For Scars (Don Giovanni Records
Don Giovanni Records
Don Giovanni Records is an independent record label specializing in punk rock. Each year the label puts on the Don Giovanni Records Showcase.-History:...
, 2008). Bill Hobson is a grip
Grip (job)
In the U.S. and Canada, grips are lighting and rigging technicians in the filmmaking and video production industries. They constitute their own department on a film set and are directed by a key grip. Grips have two main functions...
in the Los Angeles area.
Albums
- The Last Waltz (1997 on the Man's Ruin RecordsMan's Ruin RecordsMan's Ruin Records was an independent record label, owned and founded by Bay Area artist Frank Kozik. After the 1994 release of Man's Ruin's first record, entitled Experimental Audio Research : Delta 6, Kozik worked with artists who he wanted to release; he also designed all of the sleeve art for...
label, re-released in 2006 on the Crustacean RecordsCrustacean RecordsCrustacean Records is a record company from Wisconsin, United States, founded in 1994.-History:The label was founded by current majority owner Chris Langkamp. The debut release was Fetus by Crab Shack, the band Chris Langkamp played bass with, and was cassette only...
label) - God Hears The Pleas Of The Innocent (1995)
- Uncompromising War on Art Under the Dictatorship of the Proletariat (1994)
- Twelve Point Buck (1989)
- For Ladies Only (1988)
- Little Baby Buntin'Little Baby Buntin'Little Baby Buntin is the third album from the band Killdozer. This album, as well as the earlier E.P. Burl, have a much darker sense of humor than any of their other albums...
(1988) - Burl EP (1986)
- Snake BoySnake BoySnakeboy is the sophomore LP from the band Killdozer. Fan favorites such as "King of Sex" and the cover version of Neil Young's "Cinnamon Girl" make their appearance on this release...
(1985) - Intellectuals are the Shoeshine Boys of the Ruling EliteIntellectuals are the Shoeshine Boys of the Ruling EliteIntellectuals are the Shoeshine Boys of the Ruling Elite is the debut album from the band Killdozer released in 1984 by Touch & Go Records.- Side A :#"Man of Meat" – 2:13#"Pile Driver" – 3:52#"Parade" – 2:15#"Farmer Johnson" – 4:32- Side B :...
(1984)
Singles
- "Go Big Red" ("Sonnet '96" b/w "I Saw The Light") (1996 on -ismist Recordings-ismist Recordings-Artists:Notable artists include the following:* Fullblown* House of Large Sizes* Killdozer * Lost Dogs* Graig Markel* The Monroes* Molly McGuire* Season to Risk* The Sissies* Slipknot * Doug Stanhope...
) - "Michael Gerald's Party Machine Presents!" Collaboration with Alice DonutAlice DonutAlice Donut is a punk rock band from New York City. Formed in 1986, disbanded in 1996, and re-formed in 2001. Between 1989 and 1996 the band toured vigorously in the US, Europe and Japan and played over 1000 live performances...
(1996) - "We Will Crush You" 10" Collaboration with Ritual Device (1995 on Man's Ruin RecordsMan's Ruin RecordsMan's Ruin Records was an independent record label, owned and founded by Bay Area artist Frank Kozik. After the 1994 release of Man's Ruin's first record, entitled Experimental Audio Research : Delta 6, Kozik worked with artists who he wanted to release; he also designed all of the sleeve art for...
label) - "The Pig Was Cool" b/w "Unbelievable" (1993)
- "Her Mother's Sorrow" b/w "Short Eyes" (1989 on the Amphetamine Reptile RecordsAmphetamine Reptile RecordsAmphetamine Reptile Records is a nationally renowned record label which was founded in 1986 by then-US Marine Tom Hazelmyer in Washington State, US The label is best-known for its roster of noise rock artists, and its Dope, Guns 'n' Fucking In The Streets series of compilations.-History:Hazelmyer...
label) - "Yow!" ("Lupus" b/w "Nasty") (1989)
External links
- Killdozer's Myspace page
- Killdozer performance at WFMU on Election Day 2008
- Southern Records Killdozer site, including discography
- Mark Prindle's Killdozer record review site, a critical look back at all of Killdozer's releases
- Michael Gerald takes vocal duties here on a Christina Aguilera cover
- Live 2006 performance at Touch & Go Record's 25th Anniversary
- Killdozer's 1988 European Tour Diary originally published in Your Flesh Magazine
- The Second SupperThe Second SupperThe Second Supper is a web site and newspaper published in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The newspaper is published weekly from its headquarters in Downtown La Crosse....
interview with Killdozer