The band members met in the DC punk/indie scene, though their music draws from more faraway sources. The band formed in the fall of 1998 from the ashes of local bands The Impossible Five and Colour, when singer-guitarist Jason Simon, bassist Steve Kille, and drummer Mark Laughlin set out to fuse their love of early 70s hard rock and 60s psychedelia with their love of writers J.R.R. Tolkien and H.P. Lovecraft.
Dead Meadow released their six-song debut in 2000 on Fugazi bassist Joe Lally's Tolotta Records, and a joint vinyl release on Washington D.C. indie label Planaria Records. In 2001 the band released its second album, Howls From The Hills, on Tolotta. Whereas the first self-titled album was recorded in their practice space for a couple hundred dollars and plenty of learning curves, Howls From The Hills was born in a barn in Liberty, Indiana. Their sound fuller without losing its live essence, the band grew to encompass everything from ambient guitar drones to surging psych-funk sludge, blues-folk tunes to barbiturate space-rock, and some southern slow boogie thrown in for good measure.
In spring 2002, original drummer Mark Laughlin reluctantly quit the group, replaced by old friend and previous collaborator Stephen McCarty (whose grandfather's farmhouse is where the band recorded Howls From the Hills). Also in mid-2002 the band found an unlikely patron in Brian Jonestown Massacre's Anton Newcombe, who recorded, produced and printed Dead Meadow's live disc 'Got Live if You Want' it on his "Committee to Keep Music Evil" imprint of the legendary Bomp label. Soon after, they recorded a Peel Session at the Fugazi practice space - the first time the BBC recorded a Peel Session outside their own studios.
Shortly after signing with Matador in 2003, Dead Meadow self-produced 'Shivering King And Others' in the basement studio of the DC Pirate House over five months and during a busy schedule of touring. Along with the heavy rockers and bluesy numbers as on the previous two records, the band went deeper into the psychedelic realm, with chiming acoustic touches and lovely, disorienting ballads.
With the addition of 2nd guitarist Cory Shane and beautifully spacious production, their 2005 album 'Feathers' features songs like "At Her Open Door" and "Stacy's Song" influenced by the droning modal character of Eastern music as by classic rock riffs.
In early 2008, the band released Old Growth on Matador Records. A collection of songs that brought the band back initially to the same farm where their second release Howls from the Hills was created and eventually finished up at the Sunset Sound studio in Los Angeles.
In March 2010 the band released a live film and soundtrack, Three Kings, which was recorded at the final show of the band's five-month "Old Growth" tour.
In August 2010, it was announced that original drummer Mark Laughlin had re-joined the band.
Their album "The Nothing They Need" was released in 2018.
At The Edge Of The Wood
Dead Meadow Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At the edge of the wood
The shadow of a shape
Had me frozen where I stood
The axe is already lying by
The roots of the tree
How many of you know what
I mean when I say, "I'm not going to be the one
To pick it up and swing"
At the Edge of the Wood by Dead Meadow is a song that tells a story of fear and uncertainty. The lyrics depict a scene where the singer is standing under the shade of a tree, on the edge of a wood, and is frozen at the sight of a mysterious shape's shadow. As the lyrics unfold, we learn that there is an axe lying by the roots of the tree, but the singer is hesitant to pick it up and swing. The ax can be interpreted as a metaphor for violence, and the fear and reluctance to use it could represent the inner turmoil one faces when confronted with aggression.
The song's haunting and atmospheric vibe adds to the mood and emotion of the lyrics. The slow, deliberate tempo, the reverb-drenched guitar work, and the echoing vocals all create a sense of unease and contemplation. There's a sense of danger lurking around every corner, of being unable to escape the feeling of dread and helplessness.
Overall, At the Edge of the Wood is a powerful and evocative song that speaks to the human experience of fear, uncertainty, and the struggle against the darker impulses within oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Under the tree's shade
In the cool and dark area created by the branches and leaves of the tree
At the edge of the wood
Near the border of the forest
The shadow of a shape
The silhouette of an object or figure
Had me frozen where I stood
Paralyzed me in my tracks
The axe is already lying by
The tool for chopping wood is already on the ground next to
The roots of the tree
The base of the plant that absorbs water and nutrients from the soil
How many of you know what
How many people have experienced and understand
I mean when I say,
What I am trying to convey when I tell you
"I'm not going to be the one
"I am not willing to be the person
To pick it up and swing"
To lift the axe and strike with it"
Contributed by Jayce T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Justin Wallace
on Darlin'
Darlin', by Dead Meadow
Oh, my darlin'
Oh, my dear
Your lovely form is such that I
Cannot keep it clear
It shifts and shakes out in the haze
Of your fucked up atmosphere
Oh, my darlin'
Oh, my dear
Hope and horror
Faith and fear
These are the only things
These are the strings that keep you near
If you're feeling lonesome
If you are feeling down
I will do what I can
To help bring you round
No need to worry
No need to fear
Oh, my darlin'
Oh, my dear
Hope and horror
Faith and fear
These are the only things
These are the strings that keep you near
Angels in the attic
Ghosts down below
Jealous of a love that they
Could never hope to know