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/
Back to Back
Dead Moon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Turn it up or get it off
You've got the power and the money and the guns
So what's the deal ? it's only bucks
You say your cause is the wreckage of the judged
Do it right or cut it out
You use excuses like you're working with a crutch
So this is your page, shot down twice
Afraid to take chances that can burn up your life
And you hang in the balance 'cause nobody cares
I've seen your ways, they're going nowhere
Break out the jack, you could've been a rolling stone
You've gotten older but you still feel like a kid
Go back to back, do what you did
You're just a passenger and life is but the course
Break some rules, be a force
Back to back
The lyrics of the song Back to Back by Dead Moon explore themes of power dynamics and the struggle for control. The first verse speaks to the idea that those who control the media have the power to shape public perception and control the conversation. The line "You own the stations and it's one against one" suggests that there is an unequal balance of power at play, with one party owning the means of communication and another party struggling to be heard. The chorus echoes this sentiment with the line "You've got the power and the money and the guns, so what's the deal? It's only bucks." Here, the idea is that the powerful have all the resources and tools at their disposal, but ultimately, it's just about making money.
The second verse moves away from the media theme and focuses on the idea of personal responsibility. The line "You say your cause is the wreckage of the judged, do it right or cut it out" suggests that the singer is challenging someone to "put up or shut up" regarding their beliefs. They accuse the other person of using "excuses" and playing "dumb". The bridge is a reflection on the consequences of inaction: "And you hang in the balance 'cause nobody cares, I've seen your ways, they're going nowhere." This is a poignant lament on how isolated one can become if they avoid taking risks or standing up for themselves. The final chorus encourages the listener to break out of their complacency and be a "force", to go "back to back" and reclaim that feeling of youthful energy and power.
Overall, the song can be seen as a commentary on power, control, and individual agency. It is a call to action for listeners not to be passive observers but rather to actively engage with the world around them.
Line by Line Meaning
You own the stations and it's one against one
You have control and power, it seems like a fair fight, just you against the world.
Turn it up or get it off
Increase the intensity, or cut it out completely.
You've got the power and the money and the guns
You have all the resources and advantages to get whatever you want.
So what's the deal ? it's only bucks
What's the problem? It's only money.
You say your cause is the wreckage of the judged
Your goal is to destroy those who think they are better than you.
Do it right or cut it out
Do it properly or don't do it at all.
You use excuses like you're working with a crutch
You rely on excuses like a crutch to support your actions.
Don't play dumb, so what's one
Don't pretend to be ignorant or oblivious, what's the big deal anyway?
So this is your page, shot down twice
This is your story, but it has already failed twice.
Afraid to take chances that can burn up your life
You are scared of taking risks that could destroy everything you have built.
And you hang in the balance 'cause nobody cares
You are in a precarious position because no one is looking out for you.
I've seen your ways, they're going nowhere
I have observed your methods and they are leading you nowhere.
Break out the jack, you could've been a rolling stone
Take a chance, you could have had a remarkable life.
You've gotten older but you still feel like a kid
Despite having aged, you still maintain a youthful outlook on life.
Go back to back, do what you did
Repeat your past accomplishments and keep moving forward.
You're just a passenger and life is but the course
You are just along for the ride and life will unfold before you.
Break some rules, be a force
Take risks and make your presence known.
Back to back
Together, fighting as a team.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind