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.
Follow Me Down
Dead Letter Office Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And wait with an open hard for that secret sound.
In a deep, artificial sleep.
They paint your eyes white and soak your feet.
Tired, you hang your head.
And with wet grass and foreign flowers they make your bed.
Beneath a beautiful dead tree,
Where the sun meets the earth and the sky can breath.
They broke your body now they want your soul.
So push the beds together.
Connect with each other.
After all you're only human
The lyrics to Dead Letter Office's song "Follow Me Down" suggest a feeling of being trapped and unable to escape from a dark and ominous force. The singer urges the listener to "keep your ear to the ground" and be alert for any signs or sounds that might offer hope or salvation. The "secret sound" may represent a message of hope or an embodied spirit guide that could lead the listener to freedom.
The image of being in a "deep, artificial sleep" speaks to the idea that the listener is trapped in a false reality or forced to participate in a system that is not authentic or true to their own self. This is further reinforced by the description of having their eyes painted white and feet soaked, which may symbolize a loss of agency and being controlled by something or someone else. The listener is weary and defeated, with their body broken and their soul under threat.
However, there is a glimmer of hope in the suggestion to "connect with each other," emphasizing the need for community and solidarity in the face of oppression. The final word - "human" - suggests that despite the dehumanizing effects of the system, the listener still has the capacity to resist and assert their humanity.
Line by Line Meaning
Keep your ear to the ground.
Be attentive and stay alert to what's happening around you.
And wait with an open hard for that secret sound.
Be patient and receptive for the unknown yet significant message.
In a deep, artificial sleep.
In a state of unawareness, detached from reality.
They paint your eyes white and soak your feet.
They try to control your perception and soften your resolve.
Tired, you hang your head.
You're exhausted and feeling hopeless.
And with wet grass and foreign flowers they make your bed.
They provide you with an unfamiliar and uncomfortable environment.
Beneath a beautiful dead tree,
In a seemingly attractive but ultimately lifeless setting.
Where the sun meets the earth and the sky can breath.
In a place where opposing forces coincide, but preservation is still possible.
Wait here on your own.
Be self-reliant and independent.
They broke your body now they want your soul.
They weakened your physical being and now want to exploit your spiritual essence.
So push the beds together.
Unite and form a supportive community.
Connect with each other.
Form bonds and establish meaningful relationships.
After all you're only human
Despite the difficulties, remember we all share the same vulnerabilities and limitations as humans.
Contributed by Muhammad V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.