It’s been four years since Jace and Jem left their previous bands Fangs of... and Fire Witch to focus on DEAD.
Three LPs and countless local and international tours later, they’re not looking back.
Last month the band recorded ‘Captains Of Industry’ in LA with Toshi Kasai – a relatively famous bloke having made records for Tool, Melvins, Helmet and Big Business among others.
The album is for fans of honest, raw, loud, tight music.
With a handful of shows before the new year arrives, DEAD wanted to share with you, woman musicians from Australia who are inspiring the band. “We work within a music industry that is still heavily male dominated, probably even more so since we play ‘heavy music’ or whatever you wanna call it,” says Jem.
“It's a bloody shame 'cos we are missing out on the input and talents of a great deal of people. Even so there is no shortage of women active in the music world right now who greatly enrich our world.” “In no particular order, here are the five women in Australian music who are inspiring us a great deal.”
1. Lara Soulio
An unusually tasteful noise/ ambient artist (under the name Onion) whose music sounds like the feeling you get when you come across a skeleton in the scorching desert, long since picked clean. An exceptionally reliable and hard-working sound engineer who does a lot of work behind the scenes for ‘Ladyz In Noyz’ and organises a lot of great, benefit gigs.2. Linda J Dacio (Dacios/ The Bulls/ Little Ugly Girls)
We love this woman's voice so much we insisted she sing on our second album and she nailed it. Her performance on the Legends Of Motorsport song ‘RX7’ is what got me hooked on her and is as good a place as any to start for anyone not familiar with her. But anytime she opens her mouth, it's gold.3. Baby Machine (Wollongong)
This one is three women who on stage work as one, solid unit. I can't explain why but their live shows always make me just a little teary. They are so committed to what they do, have an absolute ball on stage and are not afraid to speak their mind. Can't wait for their next album.4. Bek Duke (Music Victoria)
Bek seems to be one of those people who sneaks more than 24 hours into a day. You'll struggle to meet a person more passionate about independent, Australian music and she works tirelessly to aid in its survival; I'd wager often with little in the way of gratitude.5. Kat Chew (Mere Women)
Since her days drumming for The Thaw, Kat has been one of the most interesting drummers in the country with a golden voice to boot. Also has a great habit of frying up pancakes on stage after her shows. Vegan ones of course.DEAD are playing The Bearded Lady in West End, Brisbane, Sunday 28 December with IDYLLS and Golden Bats from 6.30pm.
