The Dirt Eaters EP
Encyclopedia
The Dirt Eaters in an EP by His Name Is Alive
, originally released by 4AD
in early 1992. It has never been released on its own in the United States, as it was included on the 4AD/Rykodisc USA reissue of Home Is In Your Head
in 1992.
's home, the small success of his first two LPs for 4AD had allowed him to considerably improve his home recording studio. Much more so than the previous releases, The Dirt Eaters is a song-oriented effort, with mostly ethereal folk songs replacing the sound collages and avant-pop of Livonia
and Home Is in Your Head
. Four songs were recorded for the EP in late 1991, and a remix of "Are We Still Married?" was also included. Released early in 1992, the EP was somewhat meant to promote this remix, for which a video by The Brothers Quay had been made. Therefore, the front cover says "Are We Still Married - His Name Is Alive - The Dirt Eaters."
Only tracks one to four are listed on the sleeve, although "The Dirt Eaters," ostensibly a "hidden track," is referred to in the liner notes. Lyrics are given for tracks one to four, although these are actually the lyrics for tracks two to five. This was probably done so as to not have to print the lyrics for "Man on the Silver Mountain," a cover of the Rainbow
song written by Richie Blackmore and Ronnie James Dio
. By not printing the lyrics, HNIA and 4AD avoided having to obtain permission.
"Are We Still Married?" is remixed by Ivo Watts-Russell
and John Fryer
of This Mortal Coil
. The duo had also done production work on HNIA's first two albums. This mix is sometimes called The Dirt Eaters Mix or the This Mortal Coil Remix.
"The Dirt Eaters" contains a sample of Jack Nicholson
from the movie Ironweed
: "I'd eat all the dirt in this yard for you. And all the weeds. And all the dog bones too, if you asked me." A later 4AD compilation called ...and dog bones too, which featured "The Dirt Eaters", was named after this part of the song.
Besides the Rainbow cover, all of the other songs are written by Defever, credited as His Name Is Alive, except for "The Dirt Eaters" which is by Melissa Elliot, a member of HNIA at this time, and the leader, not coincidentally, of a band called The Dirt Eaters.
His Name Is Alive
His Name Is Alive is an experimental rock band/project from Livonia, Michigan. After several self-released cassettes, they debuted on 4AD Records in 1990, starting a long run at the label...
, originally released by 4AD
4AD
4AD is a British independent record label that was started in 1979 by Ivo Watts-Russell and Peter Kent, funded by Beggars Banquet Records, and is still active today...
in early 1992. It has never been released on its own in the United States, as it was included on the 4AD/Rykodisc USA reissue of Home Is In Your Head
Home Is in Your Head
Home Is in Your Head is the second studio album by His Name Is Alive, originally released via 4AD in the UK on September 9, 1991, and on Rykodisc in the USA in 1992.-History:...
in 1992.
History
The Dirt Eaters represented a step forward in the evolution of His Name Is Alive. While still recorded at HNIA leader Warren DefeverWarren Defever
Warren Defever is a musician and producer from Livonia, Michigan. He is most known for his chameleonic project His Name Is Alive, though he is active in numerous other circles...
's home, the small success of his first two LPs for 4AD had allowed him to considerably improve his home recording studio. Much more so than the previous releases, The Dirt Eaters is a song-oriented effort, with mostly ethereal folk songs replacing the sound collages and avant-pop of Livonia
Livonia (His Name Is Alive album)
Livonia is the debut LP by His Name Is Alive. It was originally released on 4AD in the UK in 1990 and in 1992 on 4AD/Rykodisc in the USA.-History:...
and Home Is in Your Head
Home Is in Your Head
Home Is in Your Head is the second studio album by His Name Is Alive, originally released via 4AD in the UK on September 9, 1991, and on Rykodisc in the USA in 1992.-History:...
. Four songs were recorded for the EP in late 1991, and a remix of "Are We Still Married?" was also included. Released early in 1992, the EP was somewhat meant to promote this remix, for which a video by The Brothers Quay had been made. Therefore, the front cover says "Are We Still Married - His Name Is Alive - The Dirt Eaters."
Original 4AD release
The original 1992 release of The Dirt Eaters on 4AD (BAD2005) on vinyl and CD, contained the following track listing:- "Man on the Silver Mountain" – 3:37
- "Are We Still Married?" – 2:59
- "Is This the Way the Tigers Do?" – 3:37
- "We Hold the Land in Great Esteem" – 4:03
- "The Dirt Eaters" – 3:44
Only tracks one to four are listed on the sleeve, although "The Dirt Eaters," ostensibly a "hidden track," is referred to in the liner notes. Lyrics are given for tracks one to four, although these are actually the lyrics for tracks two to five. This was probably done so as to not have to print the lyrics for "Man on the Silver Mountain," a cover of the Rainbow
Rainbow (band)
Rainbow were an English rock band, controlled by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore from 1975 to 1984 and 1994 to 1997. It was originally established with American rock band Elf's members, though over the years Rainbow went through many line-up changes with no two studio albums featuring the same line-up...
song written by Richie Blackmore and Ronnie James Dio
Ronnie James Dio
Ronald James Padavona , better known as Ronnie James Dio, was an American heavy metal vocalist and songwriter. He performed with, amongst others, Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, and his own band Dio, which means God in Italian. Other musical projects include the collective fundraiser...
. By not printing the lyrics, HNIA and 4AD avoided having to obtain permission.
"Are We Still Married?" is remixed by Ivo Watts-Russell
Ivo Watts-Russell
Ivo Watts-Russell was joint-founder with Peter Kent of the English indie record label 4AD. He has also produced several records, himself preferring to use the term "musical director" to explain his role in the creation....
and John Fryer
John Fryer
Captain John Fryer RN was the sailing master on the HMAV Bounty, a British vessel made famous by the Mutiny on the Bounty....
of This Mortal Coil
This Mortal Coil
This Mortal Coil was a gothic dream pop supergroup led by Ivo Watts-Russell, founder of the British record label 4AD. Although Watts-Russell and John Fryer were technically the only two official members, the band's recorded output featured a large rotating cast of supporting artists, many of whom...
. The duo had also done production work on HNIA's first two albums. This mix is sometimes called The Dirt Eaters Mix or the This Mortal Coil Remix.
"The Dirt Eaters" contains a sample of Jack Nicholson
Jack Nicholson
John Joseph "Jack" Nicholson is an American actor, film director, producer and writer. He is renowned for his often dark portrayals of neurotic characters. Nicholson has been nominated for an Academy Award twelve times, and has won the Academy Award for Best Actor twice: for One Flew Over the...
from the movie Ironweed
Ironweed (film)
Ironweed is a 1987 film directed by Argentine-born Brazilian Héctor Babenco.The picture is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same title by William Kennedy and concerns the relationship of a homeless couple: Francis, an alcoholic, and Helen, a terminally ill woman during the Great...
: "I'd eat all the dirt in this yard for you. And all the weeds. And all the dog bones too, if you asked me." A later 4AD compilation called ...and dog bones too, which featured "The Dirt Eaters", was named after this part of the song.
Besides the Rainbow cover, all of the other songs are written by Defever, credited as His Name Is Alive, except for "The Dirt Eaters" which is by Melissa Elliot, a member of HNIA at this time, and the leader, not coincidentally, of a band called The Dirt Eaters.