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/
Down to the Dogs
Dead Moon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I caught the fever and the shakes won't stop
Even the doctors don't know what I got
I'm going-----
Woke up in the morning, head twisted tight
Been out with the nightcrawlers, trying to find my life
Damned if I do- damned if I don't
Down to the dogs
Down to the dogs
Woke up in the morning little girl going
Down to the dogs
Got wrecked on Monday, jacked-up for a week
By the time I came up from down under, I could hardly speak
I lost my job, my life's a mess
I feel like rocky's bloody hammer's coming down on my chest
[chorus repeat]
The lyrics to Dead Moon's "Down to the Dogs" express the singer’s mental and physical distress. They are referring to disease ("I caught the fever") or addiction ("trying to find my life"). They feel lost and hopeless in life, as seen by lines such as "One thing for certain little girl, I'm running out of rope." The theme of lost potential futures is reflected in the reference to a "bloody hammer" on their chest, indicating the weight of their past actions.
The banging beat, heavy distortion, and the driving guitar riff shape the mood and emotion that the lyrics describe. The gritty texture of the instrumentation serves to accentuate the disillusionment and desperation in the lyrics. The song's repetition of the phrase "Down to the Dogs" serves as a grim refrain that highlights the singer's sense of hopelessness and despair.
Line by Line Meaning
My brain's been hammered and my nerves are shot
My mind is exhausted and my emotions are frayed.
I caught the fever and the shakes won't stop
I have become sick and I'm experiencing constant tremors that won't cease.
Even the doctors don't know what I got
Medical professionals cannot figure out what is wrong with me.
I'm going-----
I am not in a good place mentally or physically.
Woke up in the morning, head twisted tight
I woke up feeling uneasy and stressed.
Been out with the nightcrawlers, trying to find my life
I have been spending countless nights out, searching for purpose in my life.
Damned if I do- damned if I don't
Either choice I make will result in a negative outcome.
One thing for certain little girl, I'm running out of rope
I am running out of options and my situation is becoming increasingly dire.
Down to the dogs
My life is hitting rock bottom.
Woke up in the morning little girl going
I woke up feeling hopeless and like I'm on a downward spiral.
Down to the dogs
I am at the lowest point in my life right now.
Got wrecked on Monday, jacked-up for a week
I endured a traumatic experience and it has affected me for an extended period of time.
By the time I came up from down under, I could hardly speak
The experience I went through left me speechless and struggling to cope.
I lost my job, my life's a mess
I am facing multiple challenges, such as unemployment and a general sense of disorder in my life.
I feel like rocky's bloody hammer's coming down on my chest
I feel like a heavy weight is resting on my chest, similar to how Rocky Balboa feels after a tough fight.
[chorus repeat]
The chorus repeats the idea that the artist's life is collapsing and he is spiraling downward.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind