The Deadweights
Encyclopedia
The Deadweights are an influential American
punk rock
band, formed in New York City in 1978.
and Eddie Urland left their prior bands. The two soon joined with numerous local punk musicians. Early members included both Raymond Pettibon
and future Xes
bassist Hank Leary. Eventually, Dean "Dopey" Haydenbaugh and Richard "Ricky Scaggs" Scaglione would become the permanent drummer and bassist respectively. Originally using the name "Deadwaves", the band eventually settled on The Deadweights by the end of 1978. They began appearing regularly at local NYC clubs, most notably CBGB
. In 1980 they were offered a recording contract from Sire Records
but rejected it. The band independently released two singles in the following months, "Hostility" and "Dropping Neurotoxins", which would only increase attention toward the band. Eventually they signed with Slash Records
, after they allowed the band creative freedom, and began work on their full length debut album.
, was released in May 1981. The album contained new songs as well as the band's previous singles. The album is seen as being one of the best of the early 1980s punk movement. Despite the band's large local following, the album failed to attract any mainstream attention. In the year following its release, punk fell out of the mainstream as new music styles such as New Wave
and Heavy metal
gained in popularity.
. During the touring for this album, Dean was found to be in possession of heroin at a gig in Detroit, Michigan
and had to be extradited to New York. He was replaced for the rest of the touring by Paul Theissen. The incident supposedly "scared the rest of the band into sobriety for the rest of tour", according to Ricky Scaggs. In 1984, Paul was replaced by Dean.
was received by many as the band's finest work to date, and was their first album to chart on the Billboard Top 200. The album is considered one of the greatest punk albums of the 1980s, and to some, of all time. However, band tensions began to take a toll on the band. Dean Haydenbaugh left the band after the late 1985 tour of the US, and was replaced a second time by Paul Theissen. Both White Jimmy and Ricky Scaggs had failed attempts in rehab, and their 1986 tour ended when the band was arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct. For the remainder of that year, the band was in hiatus and had little contact.
was released on August 4, 1987. The sound of the album was much more experimental then previous efforts, with a more diverse collection of songs. However, tensions in the band were at an all time high. Two dates into touring, Dean Haydenbaugh departed a third time, and the band recruited Jackson Hein on drums. Halfway through touring, the band had enough, and announced their disbandment in December 1987.
. Shortly afterword, the two announced the band would reunite, much to the shock of fans. With the reunited lineup of Jimmy, Eddie, Dean, and Ricky, the band performed select dates on Lollapalooza
1995. In 1996 the band began working on a new album, and toured independently. Finally, almost 10 years since their last album, the band's fifth album was released. February 11, 1997 marked the release of Recalled to Life
, which was heralded as a comeback of true punk amongst the pop punk
revival of recent years. The band embarked on their most successful tour to date for the remainder of the year. By 1998, the band had returned to uncertainty, with a hiatus of undisclosed length. A live album, Look at this Mess!
, was released in mid 1998, which contained live performances from the 2 reunion tours.
, and began a world tour which culminated in 2003 with another silent period.
on October 12, 2006 (one of the final shows to be performed there), the band said they were not working on new material. In the Summer of 2007, the band toured US clubs yet again, and said there would definitely be new material in the next year or so. In September 2007, Urland announced the band was in the studio and recording a new album. White Jimmy also added the album will be released in January or February 2008 and feature an Orwellian
influence.
In November 2007, the band announced that the album, titled From the Age of Doublethink
would be released on February 5, 2008, along with the album's final tracklisting.
The album's first single, "Army Ants
", was released to radio on January 1, 2008.
From the Age of Doublethink was released on February 5, 2008. The band toured the U.S. from May until July, and Europe in August of the year. On August 26, 2008, the band released New Oldspeak
, an EP featuring songs not included in From the Age of Doublethink.
In 2010, White Jimmy performed with the former members of the band Guantanamo as The Gitmo Condemned. Together, they released the album Guilty Parties on September 6, 2011.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band, formed in New York City in 1978.
Early years
The Deadweights began when James "White Jimmy" WhiteWhite Jimmy
White Jimmy is the vocalist of the American punk rock bands The Deadweights and The Gitmo Condemned, owner of the Ruined Recordings label, and a solo punk rock and alternative rock artist.-Early years:James White was born in New York City to an Italian father and Irish/British mother...
and Eddie Urland left their prior bands. The two soon joined with numerous local punk musicians. Early members included both Raymond Pettibon
Raymond Pettibon
Raymond Pettibon is an American artist who currently lives and works in Venice Beach, California.-Early life:...
and future Xes
XES
XES is a Mexican Spanish-language AM radio station that serves the Tampico, Tamaulipas market area. W Radio is broadcast across the Spanish-speaking nations of Latin America.-External links:* * *...
bassist Hank Leary. Eventually, Dean "Dopey" Haydenbaugh and Richard "Ricky Scaggs" Scaglione would become the permanent drummer and bassist respectively. Originally using the name "Deadwaves", the band eventually settled on The Deadweights by the end of 1978. They began appearing regularly at local NYC clubs, most notably CBGB
CBGB
CBGB was a music club at 315 Bowery at Bleecker Street in the borough of Manhattan in New York City.Founded by Hilly Kristal in 1973, it was originally intended to feature its namesake musical styles, but became a forum for American punk and New Wave bands like Ramones, Misfits, Television, the...
. In 1980 they were offered a recording contract from Sire Records
Sire Records
Sire Records is an American record label, owned by Warner Music Group and distributed through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:The label was founded in 1966 as Sire Productions by Seymour Stein and Richard Gottehrer, each investing ten thousand dollars into the new company. Its early releases as a...
but rejected it. The band independently released two singles in the following months, "Hostility" and "Dropping Neurotoxins", which would only increase attention toward the band. Eventually they signed with Slash Records
Slash Records
Slash Records is a record label in Los Angeles, originally specializing in local and punk rock bands.The label was formed in 1978 by Bob Biggs as an outgrowth of the Los Angeles-based fanzine, Slash. Biggs, a painter, initiated the label with a seven-inch single from The Germs in 1978. A full album...
, after they allowed the band creative freedom, and began work on their full length debut album.
First Wave Complete Destruction
The band's debut album, First Wave Complete DestructionFirst Wave Complete Destruction
First Wave Complete Destruction is the debut album from punk rock band The Deadweights, released in May 1981 on Slash Records. The album's title is a reference to the 5 mile radius of an atomic bomb's explosion. The cover is a photo taken of the July 1946 atomic test, Operation Crossroads Baker, at...
, was released in May 1981. The album contained new songs as well as the band's previous singles. The album is seen as being one of the best of the early 1980s punk movement. Despite the band's large local following, the album failed to attract any mainstream attention. In the year following its release, punk fell out of the mainstream as new music styles such as New Wave
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
and Heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
gained in popularity.
The Deadweights
In 1982, the band returned from a national tour to New York and took some time off. In early 1983, the band recorded their second album. June 1983 marked the release of their second album, the self-titled The DeadweightsThe Deadweights (album)
The Deadweights is the second album from American punk rock band The Deadweights. The album was released in June 1983 on Slash Records, and was produced by the band and Shawn Coleri, Jr. The album is often seen as a weaker effort than its predecessor and successors...
. During the touring for this album, Dean was found to be in possession of heroin at a gig in Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
and had to be extradited to New York. He was replaced for the rest of the touring by Paul Theissen. The incident supposedly "scared the rest of the band into sobriety for the rest of tour", according to Ricky Scaggs. In 1984, Paul was replaced by Dean.
Crisis
In 1985, the band began work on their third album. Released in September 1985, the band's third album was released. CrisisCrisis (Deadweights album)
Crisis is the third studio album from American punk rock band The Deadweights. The album was released in September 1985 on Slash Records, and charted on the Billboard Top 200 upon release. The album was produced by legendary punk producer Spot and Nick Fulton of the band Xes. The album is...
was received by many as the band's finest work to date, and was their first album to chart on the Billboard Top 200. The album is considered one of the greatest punk albums of the 1980s, and to some, of all time. However, band tensions began to take a toll on the band. Dean Haydenbaugh left the band after the late 1985 tour of the US, and was replaced a second time by Paul Theissen. Both White Jimmy and Ricky Scaggs had failed attempts in rehab, and their 1986 tour ended when the band was arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct. For the remainder of that year, the band was in hiatus and had little contact.
Prophecies of Beautiful Regression and breakup
In Spring 1987, Dean Haydenbaugh rejoined the band and they began work on a fourth album. The album was said to be a departure from the band's usual punk sound. Prophecies of Beautiful RegressionProphecies of Beautiful Regression
Prophecies of Beautiful Regression is the fourth studio album from The Deadweights, released August 4, 1987, on Slash Records. The album was re-released on CD in 1990.-Reception and break up:...
was released on August 4, 1987. The sound of the album was much more experimental then previous efforts, with a more diverse collection of songs. However, tensions in the band were at an all time high. Two dates into touring, Dean Haydenbaugh departed a third time, and the band recruited Jackson Hein on drums. Halfway through touring, the band had enough, and announced their disbandment in December 1987.
Reunion and Recalled to Life
In 1995, nearly 8 years since the band's fallout, White Jimmy and Eddie Urland performed together for a show at CBGBCBGB
CBGB was a music club at 315 Bowery at Bleecker Street in the borough of Manhattan in New York City.Founded by Hilly Kristal in 1973, it was originally intended to feature its namesake musical styles, but became a forum for American punk and New Wave bands like Ramones, Misfits, Television, the...
. Shortly afterword, the two announced the band would reunite, much to the shock of fans. With the reunited lineup of Jimmy, Eddie, Dean, and Ricky, the band performed select dates on Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza is an annual music festival featuring popular alternative rock, heavy metal, punk rock and hip hop bands, dance and comedy performances, and craft booths. It has also provided a platform for non-profit and political groups. The music festival hosts more than 160,000 people over a...
1995. In 1996 the band began working on a new album, and toured independently. Finally, almost 10 years since their last album, the band's fifth album was released. February 11, 1997 marked the release of Recalled to Life
Recalled to Life (Deadweights album)
Recalled to Life is the fifth studio album from punk rock band The Deadweights. The album was released February 11, 1997 on Reprise Records, almost 10 years after the band's previous release. The album was the first since the band's 1995 reunion. It was produced by Daniel Rey and co-produced by...
, which was heralded as a comeback of true punk amongst the pop punk
Pop punk
Pop punk is a fusion music genre that combines elements of punk rock with pop music, to varying degrees. Allmusic describes the genre as a strand of alternative rock, which typically merges pop melodies with speedy punk tempos, chord changes and loud guitars...
revival of recent years. The band embarked on their most successful tour to date for the remainder of the year. By 1998, the band had returned to uncertainty, with a hiatus of undisclosed length. A live album, Look at this Mess!
Look at this Mess!
Look at this Mess! is the only live album from The Deadweights. The album was recorded live on the band's 1997 tour in support of Recalled to Life...
, was released in mid 1998, which contained live performances from the 2 reunion tours.
Animosity
In early 2001, the band returned and toured U.S. clubs. At the end of the year, the band returned to the studio to work on a sixth album. On May 28, 2002, the band released the studio album, AnimosityAnimosity (Deadweights album)
Animosity is the sixth studio album from American punk rock band The Deadweights, released May 28, 2002 on Reprise Records. The album was the first from the band to criticize America's President George W...
, and began a world tour which culminated in 2003 with another silent period.
From the Age of Doublethink to the present
In late 2005, Urland announced that 2006 would see another club tour. In the summer of 2006, the band did tour select U.S. clubs, and claimed to be working on a seventh album. After a show at CBGBCBGB
CBGB was a music club at 315 Bowery at Bleecker Street in the borough of Manhattan in New York City.Founded by Hilly Kristal in 1973, it was originally intended to feature its namesake musical styles, but became a forum for American punk and New Wave bands like Ramones, Misfits, Television, the...
on October 12, 2006 (one of the final shows to be performed there), the band said they were not working on new material. In the Summer of 2007, the band toured US clubs yet again, and said there would definitely be new material in the next year or so. In September 2007, Urland announced the band was in the studio and recording a new album. White Jimmy also added the album will be released in January or February 2008 and feature an Orwellian
Orwellian
"Orwellian" describes the situation, idea, or societal condition that George Orwell identified as being destructive to the welfare of a free society...
influence.
In November 2007, the band announced that the album, titled From the Age of Doublethink
From the Age of Doublethink
From the Age of Doublethink is the 7th studio album from The Deadweights, released on February 5, 2008. The album was recorded in September 2007 and is produced by Bill Stevenson...
would be released on February 5, 2008, along with the album's final tracklisting.
The album's first single, "Army Ants
Army Ants (song)
An army ant is any species of ant known for aggressive predatory foraging groups.Army Ants may also refer to:* Army Ants , a 1987 toy soldier line from Hasbro* "Army Ants", a 1994 song by Stone Temple Pilots from the album Purple...
", was released to radio on January 1, 2008.
From the Age of Doublethink was released on February 5, 2008. The band toured the U.S. from May until July, and Europe in August of the year. On August 26, 2008, the band released New Oldspeak
New Oldspeak
New Oldspeak is an EP from American punk rock band The Deadweights, released on August 26, 2008.-Track listing:# "2 + 2 is..." - 3:03# "Chemistry" - 2:47# "Sir Yes Sir" - 2:50# "Dumbfound" - 3:19# "How It Was" - 4:38# "Army Ants" - 3:40...
, an EP featuring songs not included in From the Age of Doublethink.
In 2010, White Jimmy performed with the former members of the band Guantanamo as The Gitmo Condemned. Together, they released the album Guilty Parties on September 6, 2011.
Current members
- White JimmyWhite JimmyWhite Jimmy is the vocalist of the American punk rock bands The Deadweights and The Gitmo Condemned, owner of the Ruined Recordings label, and a solo punk rock and alternative rock artist.-Early years:James White was born in New York City to an Italian father and Irish/British mother...
- vocals (1978–1987, 1995–present) - Eddie Urland - guitars (1978–1987, 1995–present)
- Ricky Scaggs - bass (1979–1987, 1995–present)
- Dean Haydenbaugh - drums (1979–1984, 1985, 1986–1987, 1995–present)
Former members
- Raymond PettibonRaymond PettibonRaymond Pettibon is an American artist who currently lives and works in Venice Beach, California.-Early life:...
- bass (1978) - Hank Leary - bass (1978)
- Jackson Hein - drums (1987)
- Paul Theissen - drums (1984, 1985–1986)
- Tom Calliendo - rhythm guitar (1987, sideman only)
Studio albums
| Date of Release | Title | Label | Charting |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 1981 | First Wave Complete Destruction First Wave Complete Destruction First Wave Complete Destruction is the debut album from punk rock band The Deadweights, released in May 1981 on Slash Records. The album's title is a reference to the 5 mile radius of an atomic bomb's explosion. The cover is a photo taken of the July 1946 atomic test, Operation Crossroads Baker, at... |
Slash Records Slash Records Slash Records is a record label in Los Angeles, originally specializing in local and punk rock bands.The label was formed in 1978 by Bob Biggs as an outgrowth of the Los Angeles-based fanzine, Slash. Biggs, a painter, initiated the label with a seven-inch single from The Germs in 1978. A full album... |
- |
| June 1983 | The Deadweights The Deadweights (album) The Deadweights is the second album from American punk rock band The Deadweights. The album was released in June 1983 on Slash Records, and was produced by the band and Shawn Coleri, Jr. The album is often seen as a weaker effort than its predecessor and successors... |
Slash Records Slash Records Slash Records is a record label in Los Angeles, originally specializing in local and punk rock bands.The label was formed in 1978 by Bob Biggs as an outgrowth of the Los Angeles-based fanzine, Slash. Biggs, a painter, initiated the label with a seven-inch single from The Germs in 1978. A full album... |
- |
| September 1985 | Crisis Crisis (Deadweights album) Crisis is the third studio album from American punk rock band The Deadweights. The album was released in September 1985 on Slash Records, and charted on the Billboard Top 200 upon release. The album was produced by legendary punk producer Spot and Nick Fulton of the band Xes. The album is... |
Slash Records Slash Records Slash Records is a record label in Los Angeles, originally specializing in local and punk rock bands.The label was formed in 1978 by Bob Biggs as an outgrowth of the Los Angeles-based fanzine, Slash. Biggs, a painter, initiated the label with a seven-inch single from The Germs in 1978. A full album... |
#184 US |
| August 4, 1987 | Prophecies of Beautiful Regression Prophecies of Beautiful Regression Prophecies of Beautiful Regression is the fourth studio album from The Deadweights, released August 4, 1987, on Slash Records. The album was re-released on CD in 1990.-Reception and break up:... |
Slash Records Slash Records Slash Records is a record label in Los Angeles, originally specializing in local and punk rock bands.The label was formed in 1978 by Bob Biggs as an outgrowth of the Los Angeles-based fanzine, Slash. Biggs, a painter, initiated the label with a seven-inch single from The Germs in 1978. A full album... |
#142 US |
| February 11, 1997 | Recalled to Life Recalled to Life (Deadweights album) Recalled to Life is the fifth studio album from punk rock band The Deadweights. The album was released February 11, 1997 on Reprise Records, almost 10 years after the band's previous release. The album was the first since the band's 1995 reunion. It was produced by Daniel Rey and co-produced by... |
Reprise Reprise Reprise is a fundamental device in the history of art. In literature, a reprise consists of the rewriting of another work; in music, a reprise is the repetition or reiteration of the opening material later in a composition as occurs in the recapitulation of sonata form, though—originally in the... |
#73 US |
| May 28, 2002 | Animosity Animosity (Deadweights album) Animosity is the sixth studio album from American punk rock band The Deadweights, released May 28, 2002 on Reprise Records. The album was the first from the band to criticize America's President George W... |
Reprise Reprise Reprise is a fundamental device in the history of art. In literature, a reprise consists of the rewriting of another work; in music, a reprise is the repetition or reiteration of the opening material later in a composition as occurs in the recapitulation of sonata form, though—originally in the... |
#45 US |
| February 5, 2008 | From the Age of Doublethink From the Age of Doublethink From the Age of Doublethink is the 7th studio album from The Deadweights, released on February 5, 2008. The album was recorded in September 2007 and is produced by Bill Stevenson... |
Reprise Reprise Reprise is a fundamental device in the history of art. In literature, a reprise consists of the rewriting of another work; in music, a reprise is the repetition or reiteration of the opening material later in a composition as occurs in the recapitulation of sonata form, though—originally in the... |
#29 US |
EPs
| Date of Release | Title | Label | Charting |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 26, 2008 | New Oldspeak New Oldspeak New Oldspeak is an EP from American punk rock band The Deadweights, released on August 26, 2008.-Track listing:# "2 + 2 is..." - 3:03# "Chemistry" - 2:47# "Sir Yes Sir" - 2:50# "Dumbfound" - 3:19# "How It Was" - 4:38# "Army Ants" - 3:40... |
Reprise Reprise Reprise is a fundamental device in the history of art. In literature, a reprise consists of the rewriting of another work; in music, a reprise is the repetition or reiteration of the opening material later in a composition as occurs in the recapitulation of sonata form, though—originally in the... /Ruined Recordings |
#186 US |
Live albums
| Date of Release | Title | Label | Charting |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 23, 1998 | Look at this Mess! Look at this Mess! Look at this Mess! is the only live album from The Deadweights. The album was recorded live on the band's 1997 tour in support of Recalled to Life... |
Reprise Reprise Reprise is a fundamental device in the history of art. In literature, a reprise consists of the rewriting of another work; in music, a reprise is the repetition or reiteration of the opening material later in a composition as occurs in the recapitulation of sonata form, though—originally in the... |
#163 US |
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Modern Rock | US Mainstream Rock | UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
|||
| 1980 | "Hostility" | - | - | - | Hostility/Drink Tinged Vision 7" |
| "Dropping Neurotoxins" | - | - | - | Dropping Neurotoxins 7" | |
| 1981 | "Hostility" | - | - | - | First Wave Complete Destruction First Wave Complete Destruction First Wave Complete Destruction is the debut album from punk rock band The Deadweights, released in May 1981 on Slash Records. The album's title is a reference to the 5 mile radius of an atomic bomb's explosion. The cover is a photo taken of the July 1946 atomic test, Operation Crossroads Baker, at... |
| 1983 | "Dumb as You" | - | - | - | The Deadweights The Deadweights (album) The Deadweights is the second album from American punk rock band The Deadweights. The album was released in June 1983 on Slash Records, and was produced by the band and Shawn Coleri, Jr. The album is often seen as a weaker effort than its predecessor and successors... |
| 1985 | "New York Pigs" | - | - | - | Crisis Crisis (Deadweights album) Crisis is the third studio album from American punk rock band The Deadweights. The album was released in September 1985 on Slash Records, and charted on the Billboard Top 200 upon release. The album was produced by legendary punk producer Spot and Nick Fulton of the band Xes. The album is... |
| 1986 | "Crisis" | - | - | 66 | |
| 1987 | "Slide" | - | - | - | Prophecies of Beautiful Regression Prophecies of Beautiful Regression Prophecies of Beautiful Regression is the fourth studio album from The Deadweights, released August 4, 1987, on Slash Records. The album was re-released on CD in 1990.-Reception and break up:... |
| "Funding the Apocalypse" | - | - | - | ||
| 1997 | "Opium of the Masses" | 24 | - | - | Recalled to Life Recalled to Life (Deadweights album) Recalled to Life is the fifth studio album from punk rock band The Deadweights. The album was released February 11, 1997 on Reprise Records, almost 10 years after the band's previous release. The album was the first since the band's 1995 reunion. It was produced by Daniel Rey and co-produced by... |
| "In the Modern Era of Chaos" | - | - | - | ||
| 2002 | "No Way in Hell" | 26 | 38 | 51 | Animosity Animosity (Deadweights album) Animosity is the sixth studio album from American punk rock band The Deadweights, released May 28, 2002 on Reprise Records. The album was the first from the band to criticize America's President George W... |
| "Animosity" | 34 | - | - | ||
| 2003 | "Storm Will Come" | - | - | - | |
| 2008 | "Army Ants Army Ants (song) An army ant is any species of ant known for aggressive predatory foraging groups.Army Ants may also refer to:* Army Ants , a 1987 toy soldier line from Hasbro* "Army Ants", a 1994 song by Stone Temple Pilots from the album Purple... " |
27 | - | - | From the Age of Doublethink From the Age of Doublethink From the Age of Doublethink is the 7th studio album from The Deadweights, released on February 5, 2008. The album was recorded in September 2007 and is produced by Bill Stevenson... |
| "The Future Generation?" | 32 | - | - |