Influences of the band cover a wide genre of music; however some of their main influences include Radiohead, Joy Division, Pink Floyd, Jeff Buckley, Sonic Youth, The Pixies, Mogwai, My Bloody Valentine, Galaxie 500, Movietone, Muse, The Cure and much more.
Formed in the summer of 2004, they found their current line-up early in 2005. Within recent months they have been writing and performing increasingly better and more forward thinking music, and the band has been going from strength to strength.
Throughout 2006 the band spent time gigging relentlessly at venues all over the Midlands area, and during that time provided the band with the chance to support Howling Bells twice, the 1990s and the Tiny Dancers and play at ‘Oxjam Festival’ in London.
The band have also been featured three times on BBC Hereford and Worcester’s ‘The Friday Session’, several times on online radio stations in the ‘Monochrome Museum Global Network’, and on MTV ‘Ones to Watch’ (which was shown repeatedly throughout April and May on MTV2).
In recent months the band have been recording their debut album ‘Complications’) with their humble and very portable home studio equipment; the band finally released the album on Friday 13th April.
Dead Letter Office are currently working on writing and recording their second album. This is due to be finished Autumn 2009.
Dead Letter Office Are:
Benjamin Hiorns (Benj) - Lead vocals/ guitarist
Jevon Davies - Bass/ Backing vocals
James Atkins - Guitar
Harry Bourne - Drums/Backing vocals
Ben Allen (Beef) - Keyboards
Unfortunately, after many years loyal service, Ben Foxall left the band. James Atkins stepped in to guitar duties.
In the late part of 2009 Dead Letter Office decided to disband.
Bedsores
Dead Letter Office Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
While you were sleeping.
And with poisoned fingers,
They tied you to the sheets.
Sleep does nothing for you.
It just makes you older
Single file...one at a time.
We look different, that's just the way we are.
Like a moth sharing your light,
I read your books,
Studied your crimes.
We're not perfect. that's just the way we're born.
You're sure that you cannot fight your soul!
They took the light out of your eyes. And I just can't keep up anymore
The lyrics to Dead Letter Office's song "Bedsores" describe the visceral experience of being physically and emotionally abused while in a state of vulnerability. The lyrics open up with a jarring image of the singer's body being shattered while they were asleep; the image of "poisoned fingers" evokes a sense of malice and spite that pervades the entire song. The next line, "They tied you to the sheets," conveys a sense of violation and helplessness; the singer is stripped of their agency by their abuser.
The second verse describes the aftermath of these traumas; the singer is left feeling trapped and stagnant, unable to grow or move forward in their life. The phrase "Sleep does nothing for you," suggests a profound sense of disillusionment and sorrow; sleep, which should be a restful and restorative experience, has instead become a source of pain and futility.
Line by Line Meaning
They broke your body,
Someone caused physical harm to you while you were sleeping.
While you were sleeping.
The harm was inflicted upon you while you were unconscious.
And with poisoned fingers,
The person who caused you harm was malicious or harmful, like poison.
They tied you to the sheets.
The person left you helpless and unable to move or escape.
Sleep does nothing for you.
Sleep is a state of being that doesn't provide any tangible benefits or solutions.
It just makes you older
Sleep causes you to age, but doesn't accomplish anything.
Born again under the wires,
Starting anew in a place that is enclosed or restricted.
Single file...one at a time.
Individuals are moving in specific order, one behind the other.
We look different, that's just the way we are.
Our appearances differ, which is natural and normal.
Like a moth sharing your light,
Similar to a moth being attracted to a flame, I am drawn to you and your energy.
I read your books,
I have studied and learned from your experiences.
Studied your crimes.
I have scrutinized your behavior, including your wrong or illegal actions.
We're not perfect. that's just the way we're born.
Nobody is free of faults or flaws, as this is part of human nature.
You're sure that you cannot fight your soul!
You feel deeply and innately that you cannot resist or change the fundamental essence of who you are.
They took the light out of your eyes.
Someone caused you to lose your vitality, vigor, and inner fire.
And I just can't keep up anymore.
The situation has become overwhelming, and I am unable to cope or continue at the same pace.
Contributed by Aria K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.