The Dead C
Encyclopedia
The Dead C are a New Zealand
based noise rock
trio made up of members Bruce Russell, Michael Morley
and Robbie Yeats. Most often, Russell plays electric guitar, Morley sings and plays electric guitar or laptop, and Yeats plays drums.
Formed in Dunedin
in 1986, the group is known for its lo-fi guitar soundscapes and improvisational take on rock music. They became known internationally through their releases on the Philadelphia record label Siltbreeze
, especially the 1992 double LP Harsh 70s Reality. Early, pre-Siltbreeze albums like Eusa Kills and DR503 find the group still drifting between song-based work and the experimental free rock found in later albums like The White House and Tusk. Recent albums have seen the group add electronics and samples, yet still maintaining their origins in trademark hazy guitar chaos.
The group performs very infrequently outside of New Zealand, although they did travel to the USA in March 2002 to perform at the All Tomorrow's Parties
festival (curated by Sonic Youth), as well as a couple of gigs in Los Angeles and San Francisco. They also performed for the first time in Europe in May 2004 at Le Weekend, a new music festival in Stirling, Scotland and returned to the UK to play at the All Tomorrow's Parties festival again in December 2006. In 2008 they played a short tour in the United States, and returned to the UK to play All Tomorrow's Parties in December 2010.
A compilation album covering their first 18 years entitled "Vain Erudite and Stupid: Selected Works 1987-2005" was released on the Ba Da Bing! label in 2006.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
based noise rock
Noise rock
Noise rock describes a style of post-punk rock music that became prominent in the 1980s. Noise rock makes use of the traditional instrumentation and iconography of rock, but incorporates atonality and especially dissonance, and also frequently discards usual songwriting conventions.-Style:Noise...
trio made up of members Bruce Russell, Michael Morley
Michael Morley (musician)
Michael Morley is an experimental musician and visual artist from New Zealand.Morley sings and plays guitar and laptop as a member of The Dead C, but also records on his own as Gate...
and Robbie Yeats. Most often, Russell plays electric guitar, Morley sings and plays electric guitar or laptop, and Yeats plays drums.
Formed in Dunedin
Dunedin
Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. It is considered to be one of the four main urban centres of New Zealand for historic, cultural, and geographic reasons. Dunedin was the largest city by territorial land area until...
in 1986, the group is known for its lo-fi guitar soundscapes and improvisational take on rock music. They became known internationally through their releases on the Philadelphia record label Siltbreeze
Siltbreeze
Siltbreeze is an American independent record label based out of Philadelphia.-Roster:*1929*A Band*Above Ground*A Handful of Dust*Alan Licht*Alasehir*Alastair Galbraith*Angus Maclise*Ashtabula*Ashtray Navigations*Axemen*Bardo Pond*Blues Control...
, especially the 1992 double LP Harsh 70s Reality. Early, pre-Siltbreeze albums like Eusa Kills and DR503 find the group still drifting between song-based work and the experimental free rock found in later albums like The White House and Tusk. Recent albums have seen the group add electronics and samples, yet still maintaining their origins in trademark hazy guitar chaos.
The group performs very infrequently outside of New Zealand, although they did travel to the USA in March 2002 to perform at the All Tomorrow's Parties
All Tomorrow's Parties (music festival)
All Tomorrow's Parties is a music festival which takes place at Camber Sands holiday camp in East Sussex and Butlin's holiday camp in Minehead, Somerset, England....
festival (curated by Sonic Youth), as well as a couple of gigs in Los Angeles and San Francisco. They also performed for the first time in Europe in May 2004 at Le Weekend, a new music festival in Stirling, Scotland and returned to the UK to play at the All Tomorrow's Parties festival again in December 2006. In 2008 they played a short tour in the United States, and returned to the UK to play All Tomorrow's Parties in December 2010.
A compilation album covering their first 18 years entitled "Vain Erudite and Stupid: Selected Works 1987-2005" was released on the Ba Da Bing! label in 2006.
Discography
| Date of Release | Title | Label | Charted | Country | Catalog Number | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albums | ||||||
| 1987 1987 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1987.See also:Record labels established in 1987-January-February:*January 3 – Aretha Franklin becomes the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame... |
Perform Max Harris | Diabolic Root | - | - | ||
| 1987 1987 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1987.See also:Record labels established in 1987-January-February:*January 3 – Aretha Franklin becomes the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame... |
43 Sketch for a Poster | Diabolic Root | - | - | ||
| 1988 1988 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1988.-January-March:* January 1 – André Rieu's Johann Strauss Orchestra plays its first concert.... |
The Live Dead See | Xpressway Xpressway Xpressway was a record label founded by New Zealand musician Bruce Russell in Dunedin in 1988. Until it ceased in 1993, Xpressway released a variety of New Zealand musicians, primarily on cassette, but its catalogue included several 7" singles and one 12" EP.... |
- | - | ||
| 1988 1988 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1988.-January-March:* January 1 – André Rieu's Johann Strauss Orchestra plays its first concert.... |
DR503 | Flying Nun Records Flying Nun Records Flying Nun Records is an independent record label formed in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1981 by music-store proprietor Roger Shepherd.-History:The label was formed in the flurry of new punk rock-inspired labels forming in the early 1980s... |
- | - | ||
| 1989 1989 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1989.-Events:*January 14 – Paul McCartney releases Снова в СССР exclusively in the USSR... |
Perform DR503B | Xpressway Xpressway Xpressway was a record label founded by New Zealand musician Bruce Russell in Dunedin in 1988. Until it ceased in 1993, Xpressway released a variety of New Zealand musicians, primarily on cassette, but its catalogue included several 7" singles and one 12" EP.... |
- | - | ||
| 1989 1989 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1989.-Events:*January 14 – Paul McCartney releases Снова в СССР exclusively in the USSR... |
Eusa Kills | Flying Nun Records Flying Nun Records Flying Nun Records is an independent record label formed in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1981 by music-store proprietor Roger Shepherd.-History:The label was formed in the flurry of new punk rock-inspired labels forming in the early 1980s... |
- | - | ||
| 1990 1990 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1990.-Events:*January 21 – MTV's Unplugged premieres on cable television with British band Squeeze... |
Runway | Precious Metal | - | - | ||
| 1990 1990 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1990.-Events:*January 21 – MTV's Unplugged premieres on cable television with British band Squeeze... |
Trapdoor Fucking Exit | Precious Metal | - | - | ||
| 1990 1990 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1990.-Events:*January 21 – MTV's Unplugged premieres on cable television with British band Squeeze... |
Helen Said This¹ | Siltbreeze Siltbreeze Siltbreeze is an American independent record label based out of Philadelphia.-Roster:*1929*A Band*Above Ground*A Handful of Dust*Alan Licht*Alasehir*Alastair Galbraith*Angus Maclise*Ashtabula*Ashtray Navigations*Axemen*Bardo Pond*Blues Control... |
- | - | ||
| 1992 1992 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1992.-January–February:*January 11**Nirvana's Nevermind album goes to #1 in the US Billboard 200 chart, establishing the widespread popularity of the Grunge movement of the 1990s.... |
DR503 (reissue as CD) |
Feel Good All Over | - | - | ||
| 1992 1992 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1992.-January–February:*January 11**Nirvana's Nevermind album goes to #1 in the US Billboard 200 chart, establishing the widespread popularity of the Grunge movement of the 1990s.... |
Harsh 70s Reality² | Siltbreeze Siltbreeze Siltbreeze is an American independent record label based out of Philadelphia.-Roster:*1929*A Band*Above Ground*A Handful of Dust*Alan Licht*Alasehir*Alastair Galbraith*Angus Maclise*Ashtabula*Ashtray Navigations*Axemen*Bardo Pond*Blues Control... |
- | - | ||
| 1992 1992 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1992.-January–February:*January 11**Nirvana's Nevermind album goes to #1 in the US Billboard 200 chart, establishing the widespread popularity of the Grunge movement of the 1990s.... |
Eusa Kills | Flying Nun Records Flying Nun Records Flying Nun Records is an independent record label formed in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1981 by music-store proprietor Roger Shepherd.-History:The label was formed in the flurry of new punk rock-inspired labels forming in the early 1980s... |
- | - | ||
| 1992 1992 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1992.-January–February:*January 11**Nirvana's Nevermind album goes to #1 in the US Billboard 200 chart, establishing the widespread popularity of the Grunge movement of the 1990s.... |
Clyma Est Mort³ | Siltbreeze Siltbreeze Siltbreeze is an American independent record label based out of Philadelphia.-Roster:*1929*A Band*Above Ground*A Handful of Dust*Alan Licht*Alasehir*Alastair Galbraith*Angus Maclise*Ashtabula*Ashtray Navigations*Axemen*Bardo Pond*Blues Control... |
- | - | ||
| 1993 1993 in music This is a summary of significant events in music in 1993.-January–February:*January 8 – The U.S. Postal Service issues an Elvis Presley stamp. The design was voted on in February 1992.... |
Trapdoor Fucking Exit (reissued as a CD) |
Siltbreeze Siltbreeze Siltbreeze is an American independent record label based out of Philadelphia.-Roster:*1929*A Band*Above Ground*A Handful of Dust*Alan Licht*Alasehir*Alastair Galbraith*Angus Maclise*Ashtabula*Ashtray Navigations*Axemen*Bardo Pond*Blues Control... |
- | - | ||
| 1994 1994 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1994.-January–February:*January 25 – Alice in Chains release their Jar of Flies album which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming the first ever EP to do so.... |
The Operation of the Sonne† | Siltbreeze Siltbreeze Siltbreeze is an American independent record label based out of Philadelphia.-Roster:*1929*A Band*Above Ground*A Handful of Dust*Alan Licht*Alasehir*Alastair Galbraith*Angus Maclise*Ashtabula*Ashtray Navigations*Axemen*Bardo Pond*Blues Control... |
- | - | ||
| 1995 1995 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1995.- January–February :*January 18 – Jerry Garcia crashes his rented BMW into a guard rail near Mill Valley, California, USA, but is not injured in the accident.... |
World Peace Hope et al. | Shock | - | - | ||
| 1995 1995 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1995.- January–February :*January 18 – Jerry Garcia crashes his rented BMW into a guard rail near Mill Valley, California, USA, but is not injured in the accident.... |
The White House | Siltbreeze Siltbreeze Siltbreeze is an American independent record label based out of Philadelphia.-Roster:*1929*A Band*Above Ground*A Handful of Dust*Alan Licht*Alasehir*Alastair Galbraith*Angus Maclise*Ashtabula*Ashtray Navigations*Axemen*Bardo Pond*Blues Control... |
- | - | ||
| 1995 1995 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1995.- January–February :*January 18 – Jerry Garcia crashes his rented BMW into a guard rail near Mill Valley, California, USA, but is not injured in the accident.... |
Trapdoor Fucking Exit (reissue) |
Siltbreeze Siltbreeze Siltbreeze is an American independent record label based out of Philadelphia.-Roster:*1929*A Band*Above Ground*A Handful of Dust*Alan Licht*Alasehir*Alastair Galbraith*Angus Maclise*Ashtabula*Ashtray Navigations*Axemen*Bardo Pond*Blues Control... |
- | - | ||
| 1996 1996 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1996.-January:* January – At the trial of two American teenagers, Nicholaus McDonald and Brian Bassett, for the murder of Bassett's parents and young brother, defense lawyers attempt to lay the blame for the murders on the fact... |
Repent‡ | Siltbreeze Siltbreeze Siltbreeze is an American independent record label based out of Philadelphia.-Roster:*1929*A Band*Above Ground*A Handful of Dust*Alan Licht*Alasehir*Alastair Galbraith*Angus Maclise*Ashtabula*Ashtray Navigations*Axemen*Bardo Pond*Blues Control... |
- | - | ||
| 1997 1997 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1997.-January:*January 9 – David Bowie performs his 50th Birthday Bash concert at Madison Square Garden, New York City, USA with guests Frank Black, The Foo Fighters, Sonic Youth, Robert Smith of The Cure, Lou Reed, and Billy... |
Tusk Tusk (The Dead C album) Tusk is an album by New Zealand noise rock band The Dead C. It was released in 1997 on Siltbreeze.-Track listing:# "Plane" - 11:23# "Head" - 11:13# "Tuba" - 1:35# "Half" - 5:31# "Imaginary" - 7:57# "Tusk" - 12:06... |
Siltbreeze Siltbreeze Siltbreeze is an American independent record label based out of Philadelphia.-Roster:*1929*A Band*Above Ground*A Handful of Dust*Alan Licht*Alasehir*Alastair Galbraith*Angus Maclise*Ashtabula*Ashtray Navigations*Axemen*Bardo Pond*Blues Control... |
- | - | ||
| 1998 1998 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1998.-Events:*January 28 – "Weird Al" Yankovic gets LASIK surgery to cure his myopia... |
Harsh 70s Reality§ | Siltbreeze Siltbreeze Siltbreeze is an American independent record label based out of Philadelphia.-Roster:*1929*A Band*Above Ground*A Handful of Dust*Alan Licht*Alasehir*Alastair Galbraith*Angus Maclise*Ashtabula*Ashtray Navigations*Axemen*Bardo Pond*Blues Control... |
- | - | ||
| 1999 1999 in music -Events:*January 7**After eight years of marriage, Rod Stewart and supermodel wife Rachel Hunter announce their separation.**Paul McCartney attends the first of his stepdaughter Heather's first housewares collection in Georgia.... |
DR503C | Flying Nun Records Flying Nun Records Flying Nun Records is an independent record label formed in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1981 by music-store proprietor Roger Shepherd.-History:The label was formed in the flurry of new punk rock-inspired labels forming in the early 1980s... |
- | - | ||
| 2000 2000 in music See also:* 2000 in music Record labels established in 2000-Events:*January – Gary Glitter is released from jail, two months before his sentence for sexual offences ends.*January 1**John Tavener is knighted in the New Year's Honours List.... |
The Dead C | Language Recordings | - | - | ||
| 2001 2001 in music See also:* 2001 in music Record labels established in 2001-Events:*January 1**Comeback of Guns N' Roses in House of Blues**Hum disbands.*January 17 – Bass player Jason Newsted leaves Metallica after 14 years with the band.... |
New Electric Music | Language Recordings | - | - | ||
| 2003 2003 in music -January:* January – following an investigation by The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and London detectives, police raids in England and the Netherlands recover nearly 500 original Beatles studio tapes, recorded during the Let It Be sessions. Five people are arrested... |
The Damned | Starlight Furniture COmpany | - | - | ||
| 2006 2006 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2006.-January:*January 10 – Eric Burdon releases his album Soul of a Man and begins touring with a new band.... |
Perform Vain, Erudite and Stupid: Selected Works 1987-2005 | Ba Da Bing! | - | - | ||
| 2007 2007 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2007.-January:*January 1 - George Shearing is knighted for services to music in the Queen's New Year Honours List. Evelyn Glennie becomes a Dame... |
Future Artists | Ba Da Bing! | - | - | ||
| 2008 2008 in music 2008 was a huge year in music history with the emergence of pop superstars Lady Gaga and Katy Perry into the mainstream. Also, this is the year that is widely agreed upon by critics as the start of the fall of hip hop from the mainstream and the rise of Synthpop into the mainstream due to acts such... |
Secret Earth | Ba Da Bing! | - | - | ||
| 2010 2010 in music 2010 in music may refer to:*2010 in American music*2010 in Australian music*2010 in British music*2010 in Canadian music*2010 in European music *2010 in Irish music*2010 in Japanese music*2010 in New Zealand music... |
Patience | Ba Da Bing! | - | - | ||
| EPs | ||||||
| 1989 1989 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1989.-Events:*January 14 – Paul McCartney releases Снова в СССР exclusively in the USSR... |
The Sun Stabbed | Xpressway Xpressway Xpressway was a record label founded by New Zealand musician Bruce Russell in Dunedin in 1988. Until it ceased in 1993, Xpressway released a variety of New Zealand musicians, primarily on cassette, but its catalogue included several 7" singles and one 12" EP.... |
- | - | ||
| 2005 2005 in music -Events:*During the year 2005, 12 rock music albums scored number 1 in the USA. This was the first time even ten albums have scored number 1 since 1996.-January:... |
Split Series 18 (with Konono Nr.1) | Fat Cat Records Fat Cat Records Fat Cat Records is an independent label based in Brighton on England’s South Coast. Their output includes electronica, post rock, indie, downtempo, minimal techno, noise and punk-pop... |
- | - | ||
| 2007 2007 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2007.-January:*January 1 - George Shearing is knighted for services to music in the Queen's New Year Honours List. Evelyn Glennie becomes a Dame... |
Split LP (with Hi God People) | Nervous Jerk Records | - | - | ||
- ¹700 copies, later reissued on the Trapdoor Fucking Exit CD
- ²1500 copies made
- ³450 copies made.
- †1200 copies made.
- ‡the covers were pasted over digipack sleeves of other Siltbreeze releases
- §Reissued as a CD however omits two tracks.
Singles
| Year | Single | Album | Charted | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | "Hell is Now Love/Bone" | - | ||
| 1991 | "Power/Mighty/Peace" | - | - | |
| 1994 | "The Dead C vs. Sebadoh" | - | ||
| 1994 | "Metalheart" | - | - | |
| 1995 | "Metalheart" (reissue) |
- | ||
| 2000 | "Stealth/The Factory" | - | - | |
| 2006 | "Relax Fallujah Hell Has Come" | - | ||
| 2008 | "Golden/Canine" | - | ||
External links
- [ Biography and Discography] at allmusic.com
- Discography at noise.as (no longer being updated)
- Michael Morley interview on MonsterFresh.com Aug. 2010