The Dead Science
Encyclopedia
The Dead Science is an experimental pop
band based in Seattle, Washington
.
The band consists of guitarist/vocalist Sam Mickens, Jherek Bischoff on bass
and Nick Tamburro on drums
. Jherek Bischoff's brother Korum was the drummer from the band's inception in 1999 through 2005. Tamburro, who'd shared drumming duties with him on the recording of Frost Giant and had previously acted as The Dead Science's touring drummer, joined permanently upon his departure. Korum is still credited on the band's label page with "guidance, stability and sometimes drums."
Their music is heavily influenced by their training as jazz
musicians and involvement in the avant-garde music of a number of artists, most notably Xiu Xiu
and Degenerate Art Ensemble. Mickens has also cited Prince as an influence on his vocal style, often noted in reviews of the bands' work for its use of falsetto
.
The trio self-released their limited run debut EP Galactose
under their original moniker, The Sweet Science, before giving up the name due to a cease-and-desist order from another band. Following the name change, The Dead Science released their debut album Submariner
on Absolutely Kosher Records
in 2003. This was followed by the release of their second EP Bird Bones in the Bughouse
in 2004, their second album Frost Giant in 2005, and a third EP Crepuscule with The Dead Science
in 2006. They were also named winner in the 'Jazz/Experimental' category in Seattle Weekly
's 2006 Music Awards.
In 2008, the band signed to Constellation Records
, with whom they released their third album, Villainaire.
EPs:
7" Records:
Compilation Appearances:
Mixtapes:
Experimental music
Experimental music refers, in the English-language literature, to a compositional tradition which arose in the mid-20th century, applied particularly in North America to music composed in such a way that its outcome is unforeseeable. Its most famous and influential exponent was John Cage...
band based in Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
.
The band consists of guitarist/vocalist Sam Mickens, Jherek Bischoff on bass
Bass (instrument)
Bass describes musical instruments that produce tones in the low-pitched range. They belong to different families of instruments and can cover a wide range of musical roles...
and Nick Tamburro on drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
. Jherek Bischoff's brother Korum was the drummer from the band's inception in 1999 through 2005. Tamburro, who'd shared drumming duties with him on the recording of Frost Giant and had previously acted as The Dead Science's touring drummer, joined permanently upon his departure. Korum is still credited on the band's label page with "guidance, stability and sometimes drums."
Their music is heavily influenced by their training as jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
musicians and involvement in the avant-garde music of a number of artists, most notably Xiu Xiu
Xiu Xiu
Xiu Xiu is an American avant-garde group originally from San Jose, California. The band is the brainchild of singer-songwriter Jamie Stewart, who has been its only constant member since its inception in 2002. His current bandmate is Angela Seo...
and Degenerate Art Ensemble. Mickens has also cited Prince as an influence on his vocal style, often noted in reviews of the bands' work for its use of falsetto
Falsetto
Falsetto is the vocal register occupying the frequency range just above the modal voice register and overlapping with it by approximately one octave. It is produced by the vibration of the ligamentous edges of the vocal folds, in whole or in part...
.
The trio self-released their limited run debut EP Galactose
Galactose (EP)
Galactose is the self-released debut EP by The Dead Science under their original name 'The Sweet Science'.-Track listing:# "The Satin Glove" – 5:35# "Prefect" – 4:21# "Galactose" – 3:47# "Curtain" – 2:31# "I Don't Believe" – 6:17...
under their original moniker, The Sweet Science, before giving up the name due to a cease-and-desist order from another band. Following the name change, The Dead Science released their debut album Submariner
Submariner (album)
Submariner is the debut album from The Dead Science, released in 2003 on Absolutely Kosher Records. Its contributors include jazz musician Michael White.-Track listing:# "Unseeing Eye" – 7:04# "White Cane" – 3:40# "White Train" – 4:17...
on Absolutely Kosher Records
Absolutely Kosher Records
Absolutely Kosher Records is an independent California-based record label founded in 1998 in San Francisco by Cory Brown. The label moved to Berkeley in 2002 and then to Emeryville in October 2006 when it partnered with Misra Records...
in 2003. This was followed by the release of their second EP Bird Bones in the Bughouse
Bird Bones in the Bughouse
Bird Bones in the Bughouse is the second EP from The Dead Science, released in 2004 on Absolutely Kosher Records. It includes a cover of Terence Trent D'Arby's "Sign Your Name" featuring Jamie Stewart on back-up vocals.-Track listing:# "Ossuary" – 4:47...
in 2004, their second album Frost Giant in 2005, and a third EP Crepuscule with The Dead Science
Crepuscule With The Dead Science
Crepuscule with The Dead Science is the third EP from The Dead Science, released in 2006 on Slender Means Society. Two tracks, "Child/Actress" and a cover of John Dowland's "All Ye Whom Love of Fortune", were recorded during the Frost Giant sessions. Thanks in the liner notes is given to "Mr...
in 2006. They were also named winner in the 'Jazz/Experimental' category in Seattle Weekly
Seattle Weekly
Seattle Weekly is a freely distributed newspaper in Seattle, Washington, United States. It was founded by Darrell Oldham and David Brewster as The Weekly...
's 2006 Music Awards.
In 2008, the band signed to Constellation Records
Constellation Records
Constellation Records is an influential Montreal, Quebec independent record label known for its contributions to experimental genres of music. It is most famous for releasing the albums of Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band, and Do Make Say...
, with whom they released their third album, Villainaire.
Discography
Albums:- 2003 SubmarinerSubmariner (album)Submariner is the debut album from The Dead Science, released in 2003 on Absolutely Kosher Records. Its contributors include jazz musician Michael White.-Track listing:# "Unseeing Eye" – 7:04# "White Cane" – 3:40# "White Train" – 4:17...
(Absolutely Kosher) - 2005 Frost Giant (Absolutely Kosher)
- 2008 VillainaireVillainaireVillainaire is the third full length album from The Dead Science, released in 2008 on Constellation Records.-Track listing:# "Throne Of Blood " – 3:40# "The Dancing Destroyer" - 2:50# "Make Mine Marvel" - 3:36...
(ConstellationConstellation RecordsConstellation Records is an influential Montreal, Quebec independent record label known for its contributions to experimental genres of music. It is most famous for releasing the albums of Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band, and Do Make Say...
)
EPs:
- 1999 GalactoseGalactose (EP)Galactose is the self-released debut EP by The Dead Science under their original name 'The Sweet Science'.-Track listing:# "The Satin Glove" – 5:35# "Prefect" – 4:21# "Galactose" – 3:47# "Curtain" – 2:31# "I Don't Believe" – 6:17...
(self-released, as The Sweet Science) - 2004 Bird Bones in the BughouseBird Bones in the BughouseBird Bones in the Bughouse is the second EP from The Dead Science, released in 2004 on Absolutely Kosher Records. It includes a cover of Terence Trent D'Arby's "Sign Your Name" featuring Jamie Stewart on back-up vocals.-Track listing:# "Ossuary" – 4:47...
(Absolutely Kosher) - 2006 Crepuscule with The Dead ScienceCrepuscule With The Dead ScienceCrepuscule with The Dead Science is the third EP from The Dead Science, released in 2006 on Slender Means Society. Two tracks, "Child/Actress" and a cover of John Dowland's "All Ye Whom Love of Fortune", were recorded during the Frost Giant sessions. Thanks in the liner notes is given to "Mr...
(Slender Means SocietySlender Means SocietySlender Means Society is an independent record label founded in 2004 by Zac Pennington, vocalist for the band Parenthetical Girls. The Portland, Oregon label's premier release was Parenthetical Girls' debut, "", in 2004...
)
7" Records:
- 2006 split 7"Xiu Xiu/The Dead Science split 7-inchXiu Xiu/The Dead Science split 7", released in 2005 on Deathbomb Arc, is one of several split EPs by Xiu Xiu, and the third EP from The Dead Science. Eugene Robinson contributed vocals for Xiu Xiu's track, and The Dead Science track has vocals by Shooby Taylor.-External links:* *...
with Xiu XiuXiu XiuXiu Xiu is an American avant-garde group originally from San Jose, California. The band is the brainchild of singer-songwriter Jamie Stewart, who has been its only constant member since its inception in 2002. His current bandmate is Angela Seo...
(Deathbomb Arc) - 2007 split 7" with SholiSholiSholi is an indie/alternative/experimental group that originated in Davis, California, and now has members dispersed throughout the Bay Area. The members include primary songwriter Payam Bavafa, drummer Jonathon Bafus, and bassist Eric Ruud. In the Autumn of 2008, Sholi signed to Quarterstick /...
(KDVSKDVSKDVS is an American student and community radio station based in Davis, California. Featuring a freeform programming format, the station is owned by Regents of the University of California...
) - 2007 split 7"Parenthetical Girls/The Dead Science split 7-inchParenthetical Girls/The Dead Science split 7", released in 2007 on Obsolete Vernacular/Silencio Recordings, consists of cover versions of original songs by Tori Amos and Enya, respectively.-Track listing:# Parenthetical Girls - "Jackie's Strength"...
with Parenthetical GirlsParenthetical GirlsParenthetical Girls is an experimental pop band formed in Everett, Washington, and based currently in Portland, Oregon...
(Obsolete Vernacular) - 2007 7" TomlabTomlabTomlab is a German record label based in Köln. It has released works by bands such as The Books, Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, Deerhoof, Thee Oh Sees, Les Georges Leningrad, and acts associated with Blocks Recording Club, such as Final Fantasy, Ninja High School, and The Hank...
Alphabet Series: The Letter V (TomlabTomlabTomlab is a German record label based in Köln. It has released works by bands such as The Books, Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, Deerhoof, Thee Oh Sees, Les Georges Leningrad, and acts associated with Blocks Recording Club, such as Final Fantasy, Ninja High School, and The Hank...
) - 2008 7" Throne of Blood (The Jump Off) (ConstellationConstellation RecordsConstellation Records is an influential Montreal, Quebec independent record label known for its contributions to experimental genres of music. It is most famous for releasing the albums of Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band, and Do Make Say...
)
Compilation Appearances:
- 2002 Mass Transit (as The Sweet Science) (Woodson Lateral)
- 2005 YETI Magazine #3 compilation
- 2007 The Second Marriage Records Compilation (MarriageMarriage RecordsMarriage Records is a small, independent record label based in Portland, Oregon, USA. It was founded in late 2002 by Curtis Knapp and Adrian Orange. The first release was a cd-r entitled Nothing by Thanksgiving. Marriage releases vinyl records, compact discs, CD-Rs, tapes, skateboards, books,...
) - 2008 David ShrigleyDavid Shrigley-Life and career:Shrigley was born in Macclesfield on 17 September 1968, the younger of two children born to Rita and Joseph Shrigley. Shrigley grew up in Oadby, Leicestershire, England...
's Worried Noodles (TomlabTomlabTomlab is a German record label based in Köln. It has released works by bands such as The Books, Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, Deerhoof, Thee Oh Sees, Les Georges Leningrad, and acts associated with Blocks Recording Club, such as Final Fantasy, Ninja High School, and The Hank...
)
Mixtapes:
- Date Unknown Ponies in a Stable
- 2008 School Of Villainy - The Villainaire Prequel
External links
- Official band site
- Absolutely Kosher (record label)
- Absolutely Kosher's page for The Dead Science
- [ AllMusic entry]
- Myspace profile - downloadable and/or streaming MP3s, current tour dates.
- Book of Xiu Xiu/The Dead Science tour photographs by David HorvitzDavid HorvitzDavid Horvitz is a Brooklyn-based watercolor painter, photographer and performance artist, known for his often bizarre and absurdist DIY instructional projects, including work on Wikipedia. He was born in Los Angeles, California in 1980, and educated at Milton Avery Graduate School of the Arts...