Fred Cole has engineered most of the band's recordings and mastered them on a mono lathe that was used for The Kingsmen's version of "Louie Louie."
Their early records, such as In the Graveyard, were released on the Tombstone Records label, named for the musical equipment store Fred and Toody operated at the time. Soon they caught the attention of the German label Music Maniac, and toured Europe successfully. Not until the mid-nineties did they tour the United States. Much of their following is in Europe.
A U.S. filmmaking team (Kate Fix and Jason Summers) produced a 2004 documentary, Unknown Passage: The Dead Moon Story, which played in independent theaters around the U.S., New Zealand, and Melbourne International Film Fest, and might be offered with the upcoming Dead Moon box set on Sub Pop Records. Dead Moon has recorded for labels such as Empty Records, but most releases are on Music Maniac abroad and Tombstone in the U.S. The Tombstone label has also provided cheap mastering and duplication for other bands, serving more as a cooperative than a promotional vehicle.
Fred and Toody are in their sixties. They currently own the Tombstone General Store in Clackamas, Oregon, and are building a shopping center nearby.
Pearl Jam often covers the song It's OK.
In December 2006 they retired:
2006-12-13 - AN ANNOUNCEMENT FROM DEAD MOON
After 20 yrs, Dead Moon is retiring. It has been a journey we will always treasure and feel that a worldwide family has emerged in its place. Dead Moon became much bigger than the band itself, it became a DIY underground hopeful for a lot of people. The candle is still burning!
--Fred Cole
(from http://www.subpop.com)
2007-05-18 PIERCED ARROWS
For the first time in a long time, Fred and Toody Cole were nervous. Six months after the breakup of their legendary garage-rock outfit, Dead Moon, the Coles were about to debut a new group—something they haven’t had to do for 20 years. And their new trio, Pierced Arrows, had only six practices under its belt at showtime.
http://localcut.wweek.com/2007/05/23/pierced-arrows-at-ash-street-saloon-may-18-2007/
54/40 or Fight
Dead Moon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got a fever burnin' in my bed
If my telephone's ringin', somebody's dead on the line
I'm gettin' mad I'm gettin' pissed
I can't handle much more of this
Everybody sets me off, man, I'm walkin' on ice
I need something strong to pull me through
It's that cold in the night and I've got blood in my eyes
I say 54/40 or fight
I've go a queesy feelin' in my guts
Can't you see that I've had enough
Everybody sets me off, man, I'm over the edge
I've got a time-bomb tickin' inside
Fire burnin' in my eyes
No where to hide and no where to turn
I've got a needle deep down in my soul
I've got nerves goin' out of control
My adrenalin's pumpin' and I-m ready to burst
I say 54/40 or fight
I've got a rocket trail in my mind
I've got a feelin' that I haven't much time
I've got a time-bomb tickin' with nowhere to turn
Now these restraints that you're puttin' on me
The dealin' with society
This - the final approach, is my cause for alarm
So don't tell me what I was before
Or expect me to be something more
I'm on the defense and I'm over the line
I say 54/40 or fight
The lyrics of Dead Moon's song "54/40 or Fight" express feelings of frustration, anger, and an overwhelming desire to break free from societal constraints. The opening lines describe physical sensations of illness and distress, which are attributed to the intense emotional turmoil and pressure that the singer is experiencing. The references to the telephone ringing and someone being dead on the other end suggest a deeper level of anxiety and paranoia that may be linked to a traumatic past or ongoing stress in the present.
The repeated phrases "Everybody sets me off, man" and "No where to hide and no where to turn" emphasize a sense of powerlessness and desperation. The line "I've got a needle deep down in my soul" alludes to addiction or some other type of self-destructive behavior that the singer may be using as a coping mechanism. The phrase "My adrenalin's pumpin' and I'm ready to burst" implies a potential for violence or reckless behavior that is fueled by intense emotions.
The repeated use of the phrase "54/40 or fight" can be interpreted in a few different ways. On one hand, it could be a reference to a historical slogan used during the dispute between the United States and Britain over the Oregon Territory in the mid-19th century. This phrase conveyed a fierce determination to defend American territorial claims and not back down in the face of external pressure. On another level, the phrase might be an expression of the singer's personal resolve to resist external pressure and refuse to conform to societal expectations. In either case, it represents a defiant stance and a willingness to fight for one's beliefs and values.
Overall, Dead Moon's song "54/40 or Fight" is a powerful expression of raw emotion and an urgent call for liberation from inner and outer constraints.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got a train drivin' through my head
I have a lot of thoughts and emotions running through my mind.
Got a fever burnin' in my bed
I am emotionally and physically feverish because of the issues I am dealing with.
If my telephone's ringin', somebody's dead on the line
I feel like anyone who is calling me has bad news or something negative to say.
I'm gettin' mad I'm gettin' pissed
I am becoming increasingly angry and frustrated with my current situation.
I can't handle much more of this
I feel like I am almost at my breaking point and cannot handle much more stress.
Everybody sets me off, man, I'm walkin' on ice
I am easily angered and feel like I am constantly on edge and ready to explode.
I need something strong to pull me through
I need something powerful to help me deal with my emotions and problems.
It's that cold in the night and I've got blood in my eyes
I am emotionally charged and ready to take on anyone or anything that comes my way.
I say 54/40 or fight
I am declaring that I will fight for what I believe in, no matter the cost.
I've go a queesy feelin' in my guts
I have a sense of unease and anxiety in the pit of my stomach.
Can't you see that I've had enough
I am at my limit and cannot take any more stress or problems.
I've got a time-bomb tickin' inside
I feel like I am on the brink of exploding and cannot hold my emotions in much longer.
Fire burnin' in my eyes
I am showing a lot of emotion and determination in my eyes.
No where to hide and no where to turn
I cannot escape my problems and do not know where to go or what to do next.
I've got a needle deep down in my soul
I am feeling a lot of pain and suffering on a deep emotional level.
I've got nerves goin' out of control
I am feeling overwhelmed and my emotions are getting the best of me.
My adrenalin's pumpin' and I-m ready to burst
I am feeling ready to take on anyone or anything and will not back down.
I say 54/40 or fight
I am declaring my willingness to fight for what I believe in, no matter the cost.
I've got a rocket trail in my mind
I have many thoughts and ideas racing through my mind at once.
I've got a feelin' that I haven't much time
I feel like I am running out of time to address and resolve my issues.
Now these restraints that you're puttin' on me
I feel like others are trying to hold me back and restrict my freedom.
The dealin' with society
I am struggling to navigate and cope with societal expectations and norms.
This - the final approach, is my cause for alarm
I feel like I am reaching a critical point and am worried about the consequences.
So don't tell me what I was before
I do not want to be judged by my past or held back because of it.
Or expect me to be something more
I do not want others to have unrealistic expectations of me or put pressure on me to be someone I am not.
I'm on the defense and I'm over the line
I feel like I am constantly in a defensive position and cannot move forward.
I say 54/40 or fight
I am declaring my willingness to fight for my beliefs and freedom, no matter the cost.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hoodwink333
why isn't there millions of comments for this song. One of the fiercest songs ever that threatens to crumble and fall apart at any moment but never does. Then just when you think it's over....IT'S NOT!!! GENIOUS!!!
@dalakerdaniel9240
perfect and brilliant ☠️💣☠️
@Craigstaaygear
indeed
@tapioniittymaki
FIGHT
@heathcornbeef
I've seen DEADMOON many times here in Aotearoa New Zealand with the MIGHTY MIGHTY STICKY FILTH OPENING each time and this song live is as intense as it get Fred just kills it and the crowd LOVE THE DEADMOON and they are awesome people very friendly
@WOKEBOGAN-bv7mx
This song was like a brick to the head when I was 14(1986) god bless punk rawk!!!!
@Insaneloop
Amazing song ! Amazing band ! Wish i had a chance to listen to them live! timetravel not yet possible though
@DerricktheWhite
Underrated band right here
@KevinBourque
Polk called for expansion that included Texas, California, and the entire Oregon territory. The northern boundary of Oregon was the latitude line of 54 degrees, 40 minutes. "Fifty-four forty or fight!" was the popular slogan that led Polk to victory against all odds.
@mrsticky005
True but what was its meaning for the song? Just a random battle cry?