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/
Communication Breakdown
Dead Moon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey, girl, you'll drive me to ruin
I don't know what it is that I like about you
But I like it a lot.
Won't let me hold you
Let me feel your lovin' charms
Communication breakdown
It's always the same
Drive me insane
Hey, girl, I got something I think you ought to know
Hey, babe, I wanna tell you that I love you so
I wanna hold you in my arms, yeah
I'm never gonna let you go
'cause I like your charms
Chorus
I want you to love me all night...
Chorus
I want you to love me all night
I want you to love me
I want you to love...yeah
I want you to love
The lyrics to Dead Moon's song "Communication Breakdown" are about a frustrating relationship where the communication between the two partners constantly fails, causing the singer to experience a nervous breakdown. The first verse addresses the girl he is in love with, begging her to stop what she is doing because her actions are driving him to ruin. He admits that he doesn't know what it is that he likes about her, but he likes it a lot. However, she won't let him hold her or feel her loving charms, and this communication breakdown always leads to the same results - a nervous breakdown that drives him insane.
In the second verse, the singer tells the girl that he loves her and wants her to know it. He longs to hold her in his arms and never let her go because he likes her charms. The chorus repeats twice with the singer asking the girl to love him all night and to never stop loving him. The song ends with the singer repeating his desire for love from the girl he is pining for.
Overall, the lyrics paint a picture of a one-sided relationship where the singer is giving everything but not receiving any love or affection in return. The communication breakdown makes the situation even worse, and the frustration and desperation are palpable in the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, girl, stop what you're doin'
Stop what you're doing and pay attention to me.
Hey, girl, you'll drive me to ruin
Your actions may lead to my downfall.
I don't know what it is that I like about you
I can't pinpoint exactly what I enjoy in you.
But I like it a lot.
Whatever it is, I really enjoy it.
Won't let me hold you
You resist physical affection from me.
Let me feel your lovin' charms
Allow me to experience your love and affectionate qualities.
Communication breakdown
Our lack of communication is causing issues.
It's always the same
This problem arises repeatedly.
I'm having a nervous breakdown
I'm experiencing extreme stress and anxiety from this situation.
Drive me insane
This issue is causing me to feel overwhelmed and out of control.
Hey, girl, I got something I think you ought to know
I need to tell you something important.
Hey, babe, I wanna tell you that I love you so
I have strong feelings of love for you.
I wanna hold you in my arms, yeah
I desire physical intimacy with you.
I'm never gonna let you go
I want to have a long-lasting relationship with you.
'cause I like your charms
Your qualities and traits that I appreciate make me want to stay with you.
Chorus
Repeating the desire for love and affection.
I want you to love me all night...
I desire intense physical intimacy and affection.
Chorus
Repeating the desire for love and affection.
I want you to love me all night
Continued desire for intense physical intimacy and affection.
I want you to love
Expressing the desire for love, connection, and affection.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind